Nature Corner

Okay, so this may "just" be a dandelion, but it created a carpet of yellow on our recent walk!

The cuckoo flower gets its name from its flower arriving at the same time as cuckoo's migrate to the Northern hemisphere!

Traditionally also known as Lady's smock due to its four petals resembling the shape of a skirt

Edible, with a strong peppery taste!

Common gorse found on Blackheath, which is typical of many heath land areas. It generally flowers from January to June. Common gorse is a large shrub and a member of the pea family. 

Traditionally, common gorse was regularly collected from commonland for a number of purposes: it provided fuel for firing bread ovens; was used as fodder for livestock; was bound to make floor and chimney brushes; and was used as a colourant for painting Easter eggs 

Elf cup fungus is fairly widespread but uncommon in Britain and Ireland. Scarlet elf cups thrive in damp woodland areas and are a food source for rodents and slugs. In folklore, wood elves were believed to drink morning dew from these cups. 

Pixie Cup lichen is common on walls and tree stumps and roots. Pixie cup lichen is just one of thousands of varieties of distinct and interesting lichens, which appear in a myriad of places.