Bugglewort

Autumn is almost here but there are still wildflowers to be found. I found this one finding its way through the wooden slats of the dipping platform at Gallows Hill. A lot of wild plants have wort in their name, before Linnaeus, the guy who created the latin naming of plants, plants were either named wort if they were thought to be useful or weed if they weren’t. Bugglewort is also known as Gypsywort, its reputed medicinal qualities include as an astringent, cosmetic, douche, narcotic and refrigerant. Gypsies were reputed to stain their skins with the sap from this plant, hence its common name, Gypsywort. It was also used to make a cloth dye for garments made from linen or wool.

By River Six