Our walk in the park

Another beautiful day here in Northamptonshire. Our walk in the park today included Jaz's trot along the stream, I'm sure she was loving the cool water on her hot little feet.

Cuckoo Pint

http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/lords-and-ladies

We, my little dog and I were on our daily walk in the local woodland park, when I came across this plant, I'd never seen it before and was intrigued to know what it was.  I sent a picture of it to the 'Woodland Trust' who kindly sent me a reply really quickly. Apparently it is commonly known as the Cuckoo pint. It also has several other names given to it over the years some of which are mentioned in their website (above link) . It seems to grow in the shade of the bigger trees and in soil rich with leaf mold.

After I gained all this information, on our walk today (a day later) I saw not one but about a dozen of them !!  Obviously I hadn't noticed them before. But I still think they're an unusual plant, and so I am told, they bear bright red/orange berries in the autumn which are poisonous.

See what you can gain from being retired? LOL!! I love it, just walking aimlessly through the woods with the dog, or wandering downtown mooching around the shops buying little bits and pieces, nothing gives me more pleasure.!