Churchyard Nature Note with Andrew Tompsett
July 2010
Be they ever so ‘umbel’
No, not a spelling error! I refer to those large but unsung churchyard ‘weeds’
with ‘umbel’, or umbrella shaped flower heads, known scientifically as
‘umbellifers’, members of the
Umbelliferae family
Cow Parsley is the more admired of our two resident plants. With delicate white sprays, known locally as ‘Queen Anne’s Lace’, it can even replace expensive Gypsophila in flower arrangements. Its flowering time is of interest to vegetable gardeners as the approximate date when the dreaded carrot flyemerges.
Hogweed generally attracts less
favourable comment although its statuesque growth and flat- topped
flowers can be strikingly beautiful,
especially when hoar-frosted in winter.
Its sap can be irritating to the skin
so strimmer operators beware. An uncommon form, the Giant Hogweed,
(not present in our churchyard!) is especially so.
However, let us not despise the ‘umbel-flowered’ family. Over many generations
selection of the most favourable forms
have given us carrots, parsnips, celery, parsley, fennel, angelica, caraway and coriander – valuable food items – and
a host of herbs and spices
The whole family is more than generous in seed production and the seeds are winter food for many creatures. They are either
biennials that grow one year and flower
and die the next like a carrot, or perennials in which they persist and flower for a
number of years. The flower heads are visited by a whole host of flies and small insects and as such are important in
maintaining a food chain for many other creatures. So, please don’t reach for the strimmer every time you see them. Every
plant has its place in the web of life,
be
they exotic, beautiful or just plain ‘umble!,