Clover was used in UK to fix nitrogen in the soil in between other crops while people were experimenting during the early nineteenth century agricultural 'revolution' - and I imagine its secondary use as a fodder crop helped establish its popularity!
I was glad to see a picture of the alexanders - we had been puzzling over some plants which are currently covering Spain and Portugal after a wet spring and eventually decided they had to be thapsis and not alexanders. Your photo confirms that and is much more helpful than the ones in our books.
I'd have to look it up to be sure but I'd guess that soy and timothy are probably the most common crops used in crop rotation in my part of the world, depending. Soybeans are a good source of protein but timothy makes a good hay.
I'm reasonably sure about the golden alexanders... we don't have many other things blooming at this time of year that would be even similar. The clover is easy simply because it's so very common.
I love turtles and any other creatures I am lucky enough to encounter on my walks, but I very rarely get a chance to get near them, so the opportunity to catch one and hold it for a minute made me happy.
I know both mallows and primroses have a long medicinal history. I tend to be reluctant to get too much into the medicinal uses of plants because I don't have a reliable reference. I know many plants have legitimate medicinal uses, but many sources tend to list uses that are ineffective or possibly dangerous, partly because common names vary and some references take their information from questionable sources. It's one of my concerns about the uses of medicinal plants by people without anything but the internet to guide them... there is a treasure trove of useful information but also a lot of repeated nonsense, opinion, and poor translation.
Such beautiful photos! And you have a wonderful knowledge of all the plants and insects. I take photos of flowers and usually haven't the foggiest what they are. Love the Lake Bush, sitting so incredibly in the middle of all that water, and the turtle.
The lake looks like a wonderful place to be, I envy you its presence so close by.
When people ask if I have hobbies I have to attempt to explain that "KNOWING ALL THE THINGS" is my hobby.
It is a wonderful place, and despite the fact that it isn't a small lake and is surrounded by a beautiful and well-maintained bike trail, almost no one seems to know about it.
Comments 23
Clover was used in UK to fix nitrogen in the soil in between other crops while people were experimenting during the early nineteenth century agricultural 'revolution' - and I imagine its secondary use as a fodder crop helped establish its popularity!
I was glad to see a picture of the alexanders - we had been puzzling over some plants which are currently covering Spain and Portugal after a wet spring and eventually decided they had to be thapsis and not alexanders. Your photo confirms that and is much more helpful than the ones in our books.
I am in love with your small turtle.
Reply
I'm reasonably sure about the golden alexanders... we don't have many other things blooming at this time of year that would be even similar. The clover is easy simply because it's so very common.
I love turtles and any other creatures I am lucky enough to encounter on my walks, but I very rarely get a chance to get near them, so the opportunity to catch one and hold it for a minute made me happy.
Reply
Reply
Reply
The lake looks like a wonderful place to be, I envy you its presence so close by.
Reply
It is a wonderful place, and despite the fact that it isn't a small lake and is surrounded by a beautiful and well-maintained bike trail, almost no one seems to know about it.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment