This morning at 7:30 and -4.7C

---

The frost was less severe out of the valley, but that patchy high cloud kept the sun at bay, and it was 9am before it got above freezing.
Not much greenery yet here.

---

Very much a Blackthorn Winter in the South this year too. Not as cold though as with you Four.

Lovely in the sun right now but the shade is still another matter.

Someone made a comment on how fast can an easterly become warm or something like that.

My answer would be no more than a day in the right synoptics. My dad a meteorologist mentioned once that there was an April easterly with freezing conditions and very low single figures one day and then up to 21C the next when a warm pocket of air came up from the SE. But this year looks like a No. For the time being. 

The pollution smog has gone which is a blessing.

 

---

Sorry for your daffs but they usually pick up, Both daffs and primroses finished here - what a difference!

---

Sorry for your daffs but they usually pick up, Both daffs and primroses finished here - what a difference!

Some of the daffs are just past their best now.  We now have tulips in flower, earlier than usual and much earlier (for obvious reasons) than last year.

It's that time of year when in the sunshine and sheltered from the wind it feels quite pleasant - then when the sun goes and wind gets going it feels like winter again.

---

Enjoy your garden daffs, but the real gems are our native daffodils, the subjects of Wordsworth's famous poem.
https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/daffodil-wild

Garden species fly-planted in the wild deserve a dose of Round-up. They are an abomination on our road verges. 
Roger

---

The ones in the picture are wild, growing in a field margin by the Esk
Most of the North York Moors valleys have substantial numbers, it's thought the monasteries may have helped them spread around, but they are thoroughly naturalised.

---

The ones in the picture are wild, growing in a field margin by the Esk
Most of the North York Moors valleys have substantial numbers, it's thought the monasteries may have helped them spread around, but they are thoroughly naturalised.

Aelred of Rievaulx moved to Lincolnshire [Revesby] before moving back north, Four. Do you think he might have been a fan of the daffodil?

We have a bit of field-scale daffodil production here, with related escapes on road verges etc, but there is deliberate planting of the garden varieties. Why is it we have such a low regard for our native species, do you think?

See:

https://www.growwilduk.com/wildflowers/why-wildflowers-matter

Roger

---

The garden ones have been selectively bred for earlier flowering and larger blooms, which are seen as desirable traits I guess.
I think the wild ones are longer lasting and certainly less inclined to flop over. Unless frozen.

The sap has qualities which the monks valued enough to grow them as a medicinal plant.
https://thedaffodilsociety.com/wordpress/2013/01/daffodils-medical-uses/ 
They are potentially toxic, sheep and cattle do not generally eat them other than a quick nibble which is how they survive e.g. in our pastures.

---

https://thedaffodilsociety.com/wordpress/2013/01/daffodils-medical-uses/ 
They are potentially toxic, sheep and cattle do not generally eat them other than a quick nibble which is how they survive e.g. in our pastures.

I think that could well be right, Four. See:

https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/d/daffod01.html

Some years ago I was interested to find a good patch of milk thistle on a monastery site near Woodhall Spa [Kirkstead]. This was used for treating liver complaints and its proximity to the abbey foundations make me think is was possibly an escape from a herb garden. I think Bert might enjoy the following link.

https://www.ediblewildfood.com/milk-thistle.aspx

Roger

 

---

We know someone who ate a daffodil bulb as a dare. It caused a serious swelling of the throat - "it nearly closed up" - and she was rushed to A&E where, happily, a large dose of antihistamine solved the problem.

---

We know someone who ate a daffodil bulb as a dare. It caused a serious swelling of the throat - "it nearly closed up" - and she was rushed to A&E where, happily, a large dose of antihistamine solved the problem.

Not a good idea, DEW.

Here's a question - have you ever [think about it] seen a honeybee working a daffodil?

See if you can spot one this spring - then compare with say, cherry blossom....

Roger

---

 

I think that could well be right, Four. See:

https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/d/daffod01.html

Some years ago I was interested to find a good patch of milk thistle on a monastery site near Woodhall Spa [Kirkstead]. This was used for treating liver complaints and its proximity to the abbey foundations make me think is was possibly an escape from a herb garden. I think Bert might enjoy the following link.

https://www.ediblewildfood.com/milk-thistle.aspx

Roger

 

Last line on the opening page of your link belies the monastery/milkthistle link possibly: also called Holy Thistle.

Incidentally, it's still considered a liver tonic along with walnuts, grapefruit, rocket, watercress and I hear coffee. All bitter tasting.

Made roasted acorn coffee once. Nearly worked.

Edit: sorry; I'll disengage as I don't want to derail or divert the thread. Nice the photo upped some discussion though.

---

You are a knowledgeable lot.  I admit I can tell the difference between a daffodil and a tulip,  but I wouldn't know a wild daffodil from a domesticated one. Not unless the wild one was wild enough to take a bite out of me.