tree and plant
of the month
MONTHLY FACT FILES
March 2012
Gorse and Heather Fact Files.
Now we move out of the woods and explore the moors, heaths and dales. Both gorse and heather traditionally have very specific roles. They both have war-like associations, bringing an end to the lingering dross and giving new life to situations. The tradition of burning heathland to regenerate the habitat is a physical example of this.
They are also both used in stories of love and the Otherlands with associations with strong female deities. Both these themes are explored further in the profiles.
Together they challenge all pre-conceptions and push us to aim for complete freedom. You now have the choice to stay under the protective shade of Pine or move out into the open and confront your fears!
Despite their stature and obvious shrub-like habit the Celts revered them as chieftain trees clearly defining a role which went beyond their physical appearance.
Gorse Ulex europaeus (Latin) Onn (Gaelic/Ogham) Whin/Furze (Folk names)
‘While gorse is in flower, Britain will not be conquered’
Gorse is a common sight on British heathlands growing well on those acid sandy soils near the coast as well as further inland. The above saying may well be true, for to not have gorse in flower would be a sad day for Britain as there is always gorse somewhere with flower upon it. These extremely prickly bushes have bright yellow flowers which exude a wonderful fragrance and on a calm summer’s day you can hear the ripe pods bursting. Gorse supports a wonderful array of heathland birds, its sharp spines protecting the nests of linnets, whinchats, stonechats and the now rare Dartford warbler. This protective uplifting side to gorse is reflected in traditional stories of golden-haired women such Eithir and Niamh who will whisk you off into fair lands where nothing fades but glimmers with a golden sheen. This may also be true of the powerful Goddess Adraste who Boudicca is said to have called upon to fight the Romans as she is a strong-willed , battle– ready, golden haired war Goddess!
Gorse calls us to destroy that which no longer serves and to start again from scratch just like the practice of burning heathland. The flowers in decoction can help jaundice, kidney stones and other obstructions.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris) Bell heather ( Erica cinerea) Cross-leaved ( E.tetralix) Ur (Gaelic/Ogham name)
Heather– clad moors lift the spirits and speak of unhindered freedom, true love and of the soil and earth as it hugs it with protective embrace. Ur, the ogham name for heather is associated with the soil and the earth confirming the heather’s relationship with the earth as its stems root into it forming a natural bed. This has been used as an analogy in stories of lovers using the heather clad moor to lie upon as well as a practical usage as bedding in the past. To bed someone in older times was to make a lasting commitment, a meaningful relationship of unconditional love.
In the great epic – the pursuit of Diarmaid and Grainne they finally embrace each other on a bed of heather collected by Diarmid. A Scottish ballad talks of a passion, a women has for Black Jack Davy preferring to lie with him on heather-clad moors as opposed to a comfortable bed at home.
King Henry in a folk song beds a hideous hag on green heather to be greeted by a fair woman of beauty the following morning.
Ur can also means ‘new’ which may have connotations of death. In Scotland they speak of the white sleep– a dead person awaiting new life . Maybe this is why the Gaelic word for heather, ‘Fraoch’ means fierce or war-like as it is the warriors that risk all to die and return in glory to the Otherlands in Celtic traditions. Fraoch is a famous Irish warrior whose wife Boand is daughter to Aoife and Cuculain who are both powerful warriors if not the most powerful warriors in Irish literature.
Fraoch heather ale is probably the oldest style of ale brewed in the world, brewed since 2000BC in Scotland.
Calluna vulgaris is the most common of the three heathers mentioned above. The word Calluna comes from the greek meaning ‘ to brush’, this is the heather ideal to make brushes and brooms and is also the heather most commonly referred to as ling. Ling comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lig meaning fire, and therefore reminds us of its use especially in Scotland for a fuel. In fact in Scotland the word ling refers to any rush or coarse grass growing on the heath. This heather bears generally purple flowers but occasionally white flowers will be displayed.
Heather flowers are a great source of nectar for bees producing prize honey. The red grouse will feed upon the young shoots and the birds will feast upon its seed.
The bell heather is the main species cultivated for garden use, a much shrubbier habit with bright bell like flowers. The cross-leaved heath is very similar but grows in wetter areas and its leaves are borne in fours ( tetralix incorporates the greek word for four) as opposed to three borne by the bell heather. These whorls of four leaves form a cross when looked down upon and also fold down to conserve moisture by lessening evaporation.
Heather has been used to make robe and thatch as well as brooms and brushes and strong ale. Medicinally it is said to help ease the pain of migraine and menstruation.
Dock Fact File
Broad-leaved dock ( Rumex obtusifolius) Curled dock ( R.crispus) Wood dock (R.sanguineus) Clustered dock (R.conglomeratus)
There are many species of dock but one often thinks of the broad-leaved when referring to it. The curled dock is the most commonly used for medicine today and the wood dock is the only species preferring the shade although will still grow in the open.
Most of us have grown up with the idea of docks growing with nettles and it is indeed true that both these plants can grow together and often where humans tread. Both plants crop up in cultivated soils and especially dock on soil compacted by feet or machinery. Dock of course is known as the cure for the nettle sting and this extends to any burn, scald or blister as the juice of this plant has healing properties. Ironstone quarry workers are said to have rubbed freshly cut dock on their forearm sores.
Naturalists who have a love of the common species have been heard to dismiss this plant in a derogatory fashion but history has not done so. It is one of the four most commonly used herbs; elder, nettle and dandelion being the others.
Its root is rich in iron and can be used to purify the blood and as a laxative.
The bitter leaves are edible and traditionally used to wrap butter in.
I have associated this plant with gorse as it is a hardy plant that supports strong actions.
Speedwell Fact File
Heath speedwell ( Veronica officinalis) Field speedwell ( V.persica) Germander speedwell (V.chaedrys) Wood speedwell ( V.montana).
Poems and stories refer to the wonderful blue eye-like flowers of this plant. It is a weed of cultivation as well as an ancient herb and popular tea. As a tea it can help relief bronchitis, whoopping cough and catarrh. Although the heath speedwell’s Latin name ‘officinalis’ denotes it as the official plant used by the apothecary, all of the above species named can be used.
It is the germander speedwell which is most commonly referred to as bird’s eye mainly due to its distinctive white eye against its bright blue petals. Traditionally it is said that birds protect it, so pick with care!
In Ireland sprays of speedwell were pinned to traveller’s clothing to protect them from accidents and the phrase ‘speed-you-well’ was used to bless their parting. This plant seems to invoke tenderness as its Latin name Veronica may be named after the saint who wiped Christ’s face as he carried the cross.
Due to heath speedwell being the main medicinal species and its uplifting nature I have associated it with heather.
February 2012
Pine Fact File
Pinus sylvestris ( Latin) Ailm ( Ogham/Gaelic name)
Pine woodlands often form what is known as high forest where trees are allowed to grow unhindered by the practices of coppicing and pollarding. Pine is associated with the moors and open areas of Britain as well as colder climates and free draining mineral soil (peat).
The scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a native to all of the British Isles but the true native probably now only grows in Scotland in places such as Loch Rannoch, still home to the rare wild cat and at one time home to packs of wolves at least until the 1700s. Today pine woods such as these are still home to a number of specialist species such as the red squirrel– our only native European species, and birds such as the crossbill and goldcrest.
Pine is associated with the Winter Solstice or the period of time known as Christmas. In Europe great fires were lit of pine to welcome back the light and they may well have been decorated with shiny objects to also attract and encourage the light to return. This festival simply marks the longest day ( 21st December) and therefore from then on the light is returning. The rising sun is often depicted as the birth of a solar deity such as the Mabon, Oak king or Jesus. This is probably why the Pine is associated with rebirth and the image of a crane nesting in its boughs is indicative of new life.
Pine trees will grow up to a 100ft with long tap roots that will enable the tree to cope with strong winds.
The wood is yellowish and fairly soft and has been imported into Britain including Scotland since early times. The main historical use of its timber was as scaffold poles to build structures like churches for instance.
Pine timbers can be found in Ely cathedral which probably started out as scaffold poles before being integrated into the structure. The timber was also used in its own right in the form of tongue-and-groove boards rather like Baltic oak to help build the doors of York Minister and Lakenheath church in Suffolk. In the 1500 an extra storey was built of pine on an otherwise oak property. It has also been used to make chests and strong boxes, pit props, railway sleepers, telegraph poles, furniture and ship masts. Pine resin has many uses including sealing wax for violin bows, to coat the insides of beer casks, a glue, and known as ‘brewers pitch’ to seal boats.
Pine when used as medicine is a powerful bronchial disinfectant, antiseptic and expectorant. It is an effective stimulant and a treatment for bladder and kidney problems, gout and skin diseases.
Its needles and buds can be taken as an infusion (cup of tea) for bronchial infections, cystitis and rheumatic ailments. The same infusion could be massaged into aching joints. An alternative to tea is to make a syrup which can be used as a bronchial tonic. Finally the same ingredients could simply be inhaled as a steam bath to help clear your sinuses etc…
Ailm is the old name for Pine and the root meaning can be interpreted as ‘that which goes forward’ and ‘will or desire’.
The tall pine on the summit of the hill with its fresh-heady scent and tall gracious form can be seen as a symbol of elevation and positivity. It calls us to use our will as a positive force and to know things from a store of wisdom that has accumulated through life’s experiences.
Breathe fresh positive life into all situations with Ailm, the Pine tree…..
Chickweed/ Stellaria species Fact File
Chickweed Stellaria media Greater Stitchwort S. holostea Lesser Stitchwort S.graminea
The Stellaria genus are a selection of starry faced flowers that brighten up our waysides. Stellaria means ‘little star’ and the white mass of flowers produced by these plants cannot fail to cheer you up unless your to pre-occupied with calling them weeds!
Chickweed of course needs to be kept in check in the garden but this delightful plant can be harvested as a pleasant salad crop or dried and immersed in oil for over 2 weeks to make a superb ointment. The ointment made with olive oil and beeswax is a must for all those suffering with any skin complaint such as eczema and psoriasis. However you can use it for wounds as well as for swollen and inflamed tissues– a must for any home herbal kit!
Drunk as a tea it can help relief bronchitis, pleurisy and rheumatism. The leaves will help cleanse the system and the plant is especially good for swellings, sprains and mumps.
Chickweed traditionally is a herb well known for its use as a poultice (a dressing for wounds) along with groundsel
( Senecio vulgaris– prized as a poultice since Saxon times!). Both herbs will help wash and soothe wounds when applied directly to them.
Chickweed is an annual, a bright green lush plant growing on cultivated rich soils, I have often seen it under the boughs of Pine trees. A single line of hair (good ID point) runs the full length of the stem where it acts as a gulley to collect dew for times of drought. The name chickweed comes from the fact it can be used as food for chickens, goslings and other caged birds.
The stitchworts are perennial and are more striking than chickweed as they grow more upright with larger flowers. As the name suggests they are an old remedy for stitches and other similar muscular pains in your side.
The latin word ‘holostea’ which is applied to greater stitchwort actually means ‘whole bone’ and as it is brittle stemmed it may be interpreted as a cure for brittle bones according to the doctrine of signatures ( a very old belief system that a plant has signature – a way of displaying its medicinal use often through a physical characteristic). However there is no evidence to confirm this is true.
Greater stitchwort’s Welsh name tells us its used as a herb for shingles. The plant is especially used for this complaint when mixed with wood sage and navelwort.