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| Butterbur |
I am happy to say that life, here in the sticks, pretty much goes on as normal, by which I mean that each morning I still take Toby-dog out for his three mile hike, whether he likes it or not. Some dogs have a tough life.
This morning we headed off in the direction of the lovely old watermill and there I espied a very large coronavirus-like thing on the side of the lane.
Butterbur!
This weird looking plant starts off quite low to the ground but eventually opens up on a long stalk and the green leaves grow to look like four foot high rhubarb leaves.
This is the first one of this years crop, soon the lane leading to the watermill will be smothered in them. Until we moved here, about 14 years ago, I hadn't come across these strange flowers. Their preferred habitat is wet meadows, damp ditches and riversides.
A few years ago I did some research and found that Butterbur was one of the plants which they tried out as a cure for the Bubonic Plague.
These days extract of Butterbur is sold as a "herbal supplement used for pain, upset stomach, stomach ulcers, migraine and other headaches, ongoing cough, chills, anxiety, plague, fever, trouble sleeping (insomnia), whooping cough, asthma, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), and for irritable bladder and urinary tract spasms."
I copied the uses from the internet, noting that 'plague' was also included!
Please do not rely on this to treat the current 'plague'. It simply struck me as bearing a very similar shape to the coronavirus and the neat link to the plague made me smile.
Have a good weekend. Stay safe.
I had not seen butterbur before, it is rather pretty. Though it does look a bit like the dreaded virus.
ReplyDeleteHello Terr, It is very peculiar at this small stage, quite alien looking. I should have also said that as the flower stalk grows and opens up, it begins to look a little like a hyacinth - not as pretty, and without the scent.
DeleteWhat a strange looking thing - never seen one before, so I looked it up. In my little book it says "alongside streams and rivers, damp woodland and meadows" so probably too dry in Suffolk. Although I will look out for it.
ReplyDeleteHello Sue, It is one of those plants which doesn't exist, until you notice it, then you find it all over the place! I wonder whether this very wet winter will mean that the Butterbur flourishes, given that it likes the damp/wet conditions so much.
DeletePoor Toby! As you say, he has a hard life.
ReplyDeleteI went to the Physic Garden at Epworth Old Rectory this week and was highly amused at the uses for some of the plants. I found one to cure baldness and one to cure raging madness.
He is flaked out on the sofa right now, Mary. Mind you, so are the two cats and they have done an hours walk this morning!
DeleteEpworth Old Rectory is on my list for a visit, when life returns to normal. The Physic Garden sounds fascinating, I enjoy reading about old cures.
What a funny looking flower. It's resemblance to the coronavirus is uncanny!
ReplyDeleteI had a nice walk today. Many had the same idea but no one sneezed or coughed on me that I know of. Lots of signs of spring. Must publish the photos I took.
Hello Marcia, I hope you are still able to continue your walks in the fresh air, maintaining a safe distance, of course. The flowers are sprouting all over that verge now, they grow very quickly, so do the giant leaves.
DeleteA pretty flower.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly quite different, Joanne. I would love to think that it did actually help to cure the plague.
DeleteHere the panacea for the plague is holy water! I'd rather have your butterbur.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I will send you a bumper bundle! I hope your husband isn't finding the peace and quiet too much - and I hope you are finding time to read and to knit.
DeleteMaybe not so strange! A lot of herbs at were thought to cure things they looked like such as lungwort, and in some cases it has proved true Su
ReplyDeleteHello Su, Nice to meet you. It is fascinating, isn't it. I have a few old books on plants which cure and plants which poison, they make really interesting reading. I must explore more!
DeleteI had heard of this flower before and its links to the plague, funny what we store in the backs of our brains from so many years ago when at school and learning about it. My children always laugh at the bits of useless information that stores itself in there this would be one of them.
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Mx
Well remembered! Those little filing cabinets in our brains hold many interesting facts and secrets, the trouble lies in finding the right drawer just when you need to access it. My brain likes to comply, just minutes or hours too late to be of use! Keep well.
DeleteWhat an unusual plant, might even cure a broken leg! Anyway, you never know what they will find to solve the Coronavirus pandemic. I am happy that you can still enjoy your normal life and walk your dog without any restrictions. Stay safe and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHello Rosie, Welcome. I am happy to say that, yes, dog walking continues pretty much as always. I live in a very rural area, which is definitely an advantage at the moment. Greetings to you, I believe you live in Australia? Stay safe.
DeleteYour days seem nice. I have found myself with a few weeks off and plan on taking advantage of them. We're finishing up syrup season and we'll manage to get some walks in too. Our route is only 1.5 miles but it's uphill mostly and through the woods. The pup loves it. I'll also work on my ever growing to-do list. The butterbur looks very strange but I'm definitely intrigues. And noted on not using it for the plague ;)
ReplyDeleteHello Kristin, Enjoy your time off - lots of dog walking and enjoying the fresh air is a great way to begin. I find that the old carrot and the stick method works for me - I tackle a couple of jobs on the to-do list, then reward myself with an hour out in the fresh air, or reading, etc. It is a most peculiar plant, but I suppose those herbalists of old knew a thing or two, given that it is still sold as a supplement.
ReplyDeleteYes! I love the carrot-stick method. So far I spent the past week really buckling down and getting lots of things done. Next week I should be able to split my time between a few hours indoors and then more time outside. Take good care!
DeleteI love the wonderful shapes of nature, they never cease to amaze us.
ReplyDelete