Garlic.

 

Our flora is constantly changing, with some losses and some gains. Hedge Mustard, which for many years flowered on the bridleway to Ewelease Dairy, disappeared last year, but I notice a single plant is now in bloom a bit further up the hill. Thale Cress which was present on the road to Rew seems to have been lost

The most spectacular arrivals in the last two years have been orchids, with Southern Marsh Orchid in the village itself and Pyramidal Orchid further down the valley. (The first Pyramidal which appeared in 2021 was unfortunately dug up and lost.) Orchid seed ,which is produced by the millions, is very small and wind borne, so perhaps we can hope for seed from the thousands of Bee Orchids on the Weymouth Relief Road to come our way.

Though it is present in the village, Wild Garlic or Ramsoms seems to be a new arrival in the Grove Hill Bottom wood where I noticed a couple of plants today. Its Dorset name is given as Brandy Bottles, goodness knows why.

 

                 Wild Garlic.   Photo. John Elliott

 Cow Parsely, though by no means a new arrival, is making a magnificent show this year along the verges, and increasingly in some of our more neglected fields. Also known as Queen Anne’s Lace, with Dorset variants being My Lady’s Lace and Queen Anne’s Lace Handkerchief, as well as Eldrot and Gypsy Lace.