Wild Flower Greetings Cards (descriptions
on the reverse)
YELLOW FLAG IRIS Iris pseudacorus
The unmistakeable Yellow Flag is one of the most handsome of
our native perennials. It can be found in its preferred habitat
bordering streams and rivers, as well as in ponds and damp meadows
between the months of May and July, often reaching a height
of more than a metre. The flower is said to have been the inspiration
for the now well-known fleur-de-lys motif adopted by the kings
of France almost 900 years ago.
ORANGE HAWKWEED Pilosella aurantiaca
Also well-known as Fox and Cubs this attractive introduction
from continental Europe is unlikely, due to its distinctive
colouration, to be mistaken for any other plant. Whilst it prefers
to inhabit grassy areas in general, it is equally at home on
roadsides, wasteland, railway embankments, old walls and as
a garden weed. Growing to a height of 20-30cms it is usually
to be seen in flower between the months of June and August.
MEADOW CRANESBILL Geranium pratense
This attractive plant, flowering between the months of June
and September is widespread throughout most of mainland Britain
except for the far north; inhabiting meadows, pastures and roadside
verges, often in profusion. Petal fall reveals the ‘cranesbill’,
consisting of five segments, each one curling upwards when the
seeds are ripe for dispersal.
TREE MALLOW Lavatera arborea
Producing its large flowers on a woody stem often over two metres
in height the Tree Mallow is certainly one of the more spectacular
of Britain’s native plants. Occurring very locally in
coastal southern and western Britain at the foot of rocky cliffs
and on rough waste-ground near the sea it is rarely encountered
in the wild elsewhere, except as an escape from garden cultivation.
Flowers appear from June to September.
ELDER Sambucus nigra
A familiar sight almost everywhere, this small tree/large shrub
has long been the subject of myth and superstition. Burning
it, for instance, was thought to bring bad luck, as evil spirits
would then be free to enter the house. The flowers, which appear
during May and June, have a fresh honeyed fragrance and are
still gathered to brew home-made ‘champagne’, whilst
the juicy purple-black berries are renowned for their wine-making
qualities.
THRIFT Armeria maritima
Thrift is sometimes called Sea Pink, and can be found in a number
of seaside habitats, ranging from sand dunes through rocky shores
to sea cliffs. However, it is not confined to our coastline
and is quite at home on mountain ledges, flowering between May
and July. Some will remember when its stylised image was featured
on the reverse of the pre-decimalisation three-penny piece.
GREATER STITCHWORT Stellaria holostea
Commonly occurring throughout the British Isles, except in the
far north, this pretty hedgerow plant was believed by John Gerard,
the 16th century herbalist, to be an effective remedy for ‘stitch’
or pain in the side. And in ancient folklore it was one of a
number of plants thought to bring about thundery weather if
picked. It is a perennial and can be seen between April and
June.
WELSH POPPY Meconopsis cambrica
Preferring semi-shade alongside old walls and hedge banks
this perennial, native to Wales and south-west England is
also widely grown in gardens, from which it frequently escapes.
Flowers appear during June and July. The name Meconopsis,
of Greek origin, means ‘resembles a poppy’. Unlike
true poppies, which possess the familiar ‘pepper-pot’
top, seed distribution takes place through vertical slits
in the slender capsule.
