Blog - poisonous

Plant defences and toxins.

Plant defences and toxins.

by Chris, 30 July, 2015, 2 comments

A number of our native plants contains toxic chemicals. One reason that plants produce such substances is that they help protect against herbivory, i.e. being eaten by various grazing animals (these may vary from sheep, cows, horses to a variety of phytophagous (plant eating) insects). Some white clovers (Trifolium repens), for example, contain a chemical that releases cyanide when the leaves are crushed or eaten (under the influence of an enzyme, linamarase) - this affords some protection against being eaten by slugs and snails. Read more...

Bleeding Yew tree in Pembrokeshire

Bleeding Yew tree in Pembrokeshire

by Angus, 14 June, 2013, 15 comments

Often one sees sap coming out of an old tree, usually where it is healing up, but usually these "bleeding" areas heal up quite quickly. Recently I came across a most remarkable yew tree when I visited the ancient village of Nevern in Pembrokeshire. It has a 6th century church (St Brynach's Church) and in the churchyard there are a number of ancient yew trees (Taxus baccata). One of these yews near to the gate is called the "Bleeding Yew" which is about 700 years old and here are some photos I took of it. It has a blood-red sap running out of it which has the consistency of blood - though it dries pink rather than brown. I dipped my finger in it and there wasn't any distinctive smell or stain, but as people say that most parts of the yew tree are poisonous, I didn't taste it. Read more...

Penny Bun Mushroom foraging

Penny Bun Mushroom foraging

by Ste Carey, 22 November, 2012, 3 comments

Before we go foraging for mushrooms - Care is needed when picking mushrooms, mushrooms can come in different shapes and sizes and are only easy to identify once mature. A small immature mushroom also known as a button mushroom will have different characteristics to one that is mature. A button mushroom may not grow a stem until later in its life and may be different in colour. Having said this, don’t leave it too late to pick them. Maggots have a tendency to eat and live within over-mature mushrooms; these mushrooms should be considered inedible. Read more...

Dog's mercury

Dog’s mercury

by Chris, 28 October, 2010, 49 comments

Dog’s Mercury (Mecurialis perennis) is sometimes referred to as ‘dog’s cole’. It is a perennial and is found in woodlands (particularly beech and oak); and in shady places (like dense hedgerows); it is found widely throughout Britain (except Northern Scotland). Its distribution in Ireland is much more limited. It can spread by means of its underground rhizomes (stem-like structures that penetrate through the soil) and when it finds suitable conditions, it may form a carpet of plants. There is some evidence that high light intensities inhibit the growth of the rhizomes. The plant can be quite invasive – especially in shady places. Read more...

Oak Processionary Moth - a UK health threat?

Oak Processionary Moth – a UK health threat?

by Angus, 6 May, 2010, 4 comments

The eggs of the Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) have just hatched into tiny caterpillars (mid to late April). These caterpillars go around in gangs of about 200 eating oak leaves and they follow each other in long columns - hence the name which is also in the Latin version, Thaumetopoea processionea. Read more...

Wild Flower Guide

Badger

Read our guide to wild flowers of woodland and hedgerow

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