All Who Pass By ---

All you who pass by... by Adrian Leighton

Walking along our footpaths and country lanes it is very easy to pass by some very common and prolific players in the May scene. I was thinking of this as I walked along the canal towpath on a Goldilock day (Not too hot and not too cold). It was a day for all the senses – Chiffchaffs, Robins and Blackbirds and Great Tits were all competing with each other in full voice, the air was full of the scent from Hawthorn blossom. and yellow had given way to white in the path side flowers..

Cow Parsley

One of those, despite its profusion, we pass by, is Cow Parsley. The name has often got me thinking and as yet I have not come up with an answer of why Cow Parsley. However, my research has opened up a fascinating history of the plant. It is a member of the carrot family and related to the highly toxic hemlock clan. For this latter reason it is not recommended for eating although edible, as the two can be confused. One of the names it is known by, for this reason, is "Mother-Die". It does, however, go by other more cheerful names such as Queen Anne's Lace. This is attributed to Queen Anne, who suffered from asthma and was encouraged to take country walks, and in doing so likening the flowers to her lady-in-waiting's lace handkerchiefs. It is also known as wild chervil and fairy lace. In scientific terms it is one of the "Umbellife family as its flowerhead is spread out like an umbrella. Its scent has a Marmite effect – either you like it or you hate it but it is one of the smells that make up the Maytime aroma. Although often dismissed by the tidy brigade and men with strimmers, it is a plant that may well hold a source of components in cancer treatment, as the plant contains Lignin podophyllotoxin which is an ingredient of several anti-cancer drugs.

GT Stitchwort

Another May time plant that is in full show at present is the Greater Stitchwort. This dainty plant which has become more widespread along the canal in recent years and this year is at its most prolific, is part of the "white show". This shy plant prefers woodland edges and shady places. It too has some interesting alternative common names such as Greater Starwort (based on the shape of the flower head). Before 2019 it was classified among the chickweed family as a Stellaria, but new techniques using genetics have now classified it as Rabelera. (The plant does not seem to be bothered about the change of name!)

The stitchwort name derives from the use of the plant, which is edible, as a remedy for side stitches.

As we find in human life, it is not the celebrities which are the most interesting, but some of those who we would just pass by without giving anotrher glance or thought.