11/11/11
Poppy cross at Los Gázquez…
Cross Fleury
Art Forms in Nature 29th May - 5th June
Natures own ‘Cross Fleury’ early this morning at Los Gázquez. If we included variation determined by situation I could photograph a different poppy for each day of the week, just on our doorstep.
What do Los Gázquez, Dr Crippen and TV Chef Antony Worrall Thompson Have in Common?
While Sue and I are carrying on with our audit of wild plant species at Los Gázquez we came across this strange creature. Cream petals with brown, slightly geometric, varicose veins and purple stamens. Furry leaves and a starchy leaf quality. Nature has a way of letting you know when something is potentially unpleasant even if it is fascinating.
It’s Hyoscyamus niger or Henbane. It’s also known as stinking nightshade and is highly toxic. It has hallucinogenic properties as well as anaesthetic and was often used with deadly nightshade, mandrake and datura for it’s psychoactive qualities as well as making beer in Germany in the 15th century.
‘Dr Crippen and Antony Worrall Thompson’ you ask! Well the infamous homeopathic doctor from America poisoned his wife with henbane and was the first criminal to be apprehended by wireless communication. Antony Worrall Thompson tried to poison his readers with henbane in Healthy and Organic Living Magazine suggesting that henbane was ‘a tasty addition to a salad’.
Orchid Hunting
Yesterday we went looking for Yellow Bee Orchids. We searched the same places but were surprised to find the flowers less abundant than last year. Surprised as our wet winter has brought a profusion of other wild flowers whereas last year the winter was quite dry.
So whilst the Yellow Bee Orchid is not ‘in the pink’ the other wild flowers are in fine fettle. Expect more photos of flowers…
