I have been really busy over the last few days, started a new job and have been subsequently stuck to my sofa all day as a result, it’s not easy to start a job and immediately work from home! And then I’ve been finishing off my dissertation, which barring a final read through and tidy-up is now ready to be handed in. So, basically I haven’t been out the house since Tuesday; great for social distancing but terrible for the soul (and my ‘fitness’). Anywho, managed to get out and walk around my local parka again for my daily government approved walk.
What: Cuckooflower (or Lady’s Smock) Cardamine pratensis L.
When: 4th April 2020
Where: Poynton Pool, Cheshire (VC58), UK
Who saw it? Me
How was it recorded? On iRecord.
Is it bigger than a blackbird? No.
What is it? A member of the cabbage (or brassica) family which occurs in damp places usually. A spring flower, lilac/pink in colour with four petals and obvious long yellow stamens. The leaves are dark green in colour with a purple tinge and are small and slender. They are one of the plants with numerous English names, the two most common being Cuckooflower, as they are said to come into flower when the cuckoo starts singing, and Lady’s Smock. They must be one of the best reasons to only use the scientific name, as Cardamine pratensis is universal and unlikely to cause confusion. The leaves are apparently edible and are peppery in taste (I feel a lot of unlikely edible plants are ‘peppery,’ ramsons certainly are for instance).
A fact I have learned about this species: According to the wild plant charity Plantlife, they are the county flower of Cheshire, where I live. Nice to knowingly see my first one here then.
Is it pretty in my opinion? See, I’ve now changed charismatic to pretty for plants! Although I am the wrong person to cast judgement on a plant’s prettiness, I think I really need to stereotypically be an 8 year old girl to cast true judgement! But yes I think it is, made me look twice at it anyway!
A Species a Day 