NATURE NOTES
WILDLIFE TIPS FOR CENTRES, SCHOOLS, PARKS AND GARDENS
STEP INTO
SPRING PLANT-SPOTTING Hawthorn or mayflower egus monogyna) is the only Hawthorn or mayflower (Crata , r the month in which it flowers British plant to be named afte , quickthorn, bread and cheese but is also called whitethorn, and hoppity-haws. ypole, source of May Day It was the ancestor of the ma in-the-Green and features in garlands, decoration of JacksGreen Man. The flowers, wreaths on carved faces of the a blood pressure and can act as leaves and fruits help reduce the in s t component of hedgerow mild sedative. It is a significan rce for a wide variety of bees UK and an important nectar sou and other insects (1). Dandelion cinale) grows in carpets of The dandelion (Taraxacum offi ged green leaves (hence its golden-yellow flowers with jag ’s tooth) and clouds of name from dent de lion or lion in the wind. Now often featherweight seeds blowing h erminated in lawns it had a hig considered a ‘weed’ to be ext and was once grown repute for its medicinal powers as an alternative to lettuce in extensively for chemists and winter salads. rie making dandelion wine in Lau There is a classic account of de ma e as a family we hav Lee’s Cider with Rosie (2) and ions gathered off our village vegetarian honey with dandel ortant early nectar source for green. For wildlife it is an imp m from hibernation, enabling the queen bumblebees emerging rkers (3). to build nests and produce wo
AUTHOR Paul Ritchie, Sorbus Learning CIC Paul is a biologist with a passion for Outdoor Learning and teaching local communities, voluntary groups and others about ecology, conservation and wildlife gardening through courses, workshops and talks. As Director and project leader of a small not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) he promotes understanding of our natural world. https://sorbuslearning.co.uk/
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ISSUE 97 SPRING 2022
