There are not many botanical sights that take your breath away. A bluebell wood may be the best known but if you visit Kilwood Nature Reserve in Purbeck (Dorset) you will see a carpet of white flowered ramsons, almost like snow, that stretches as far as the eye can see across the entire woodland floor.
Ramsons is also known as wild garlic and when you get close to it you are left in no doubt, the smell of garlic is unmistakable. The leaves are edible but when there are no flowers visible it can look very like other woodland plants that are poisonous so care is needed if you decide to collect some! It is found throughout Europe and Asia and the bulbs are a favourite food of the brown bear and the wild boar!
In deciduous woodlands ramsons can be quite common, especially where the ground is acidic and inclined to be damp in spring. It spreads vigorously and that is what leads to the stunning display in Kilwood and other woodlands, usually in the last week of April and first week in May. It is often an indicator of ancient or long established woodland.
Sadly, ramsons is not as common and stunning here in the Sidmouth area.
Comments
Post a Comment