On daffodils and imposter grass

The hounds and I went in search of spring. We found some, not much, but some. We inadvertently got distracted by beaches and puddles, well why wouldn't you? Daffodils and scurvy grass (which looks NOTHING like a grass) also distracted us, but their bonnie flowers cheered our blustery stroll.

We headed as we often do theseday's to Evie beach. And had a couple of mile stomp along the beach and the puddle-infested track. Its been a bit rainy here, but the ground has needed it. Unfortuneately the rain came when we were awake, as all gardeners know, we prefer our rainfall overnight when we slumber.

It's been a bit blustery so the shoreline is strewn with kelp. Given my dodgy knee, I ambled along the track, avoiding the 'lochans' which were pretending to be puddles. Given my stature, I didn't want to take any chances with how deep they might be, or what might be lurking in them. Whilst the hounds were with me, you can never be TOO sure of puddle dwellers. 

Often Haggis (foreground dog butt) starts in a picture, but by the time you take the photo, he's up close and personal. Like this, I mean who needs a photo of a dogs butt? Peedie (in the background) tends to prefer to stay out of focus. Sensible dog.

They do however both enjoy a nice beach. And this IS a nice beach.

Up the shoreline again we spot some scurvy grass, which isn't the grass like plant in this photo. Its the 'non grass looking flowery thing'. Confused or what. I tell the dogs its actually more like a cabbage. This grabs his interest, cabbage you say.....

I really like this plant. It flowers for most of the year from early spring to the last breath of November. Scurvy grass or Cochlearia officinalis is not actually a grass but a beach dwelling brassica (cabbage family to you and me) although to be honest its not very 'cabbagy' either.

I love the spoon shaped leaves and the pretty four petalled flowers *(a dead giveaway its a CABBAGE and not actually a GRASS) - it grows in extreme salty environments, so it just loves Orkney.

Did you know the name 'Scurvy grass' comes from times gone by when sailors would fall off their boats (or ships, this being olden days) with severe vitamin C deficiency from a diet of just seabiscuits and hardly any veg. This cunning beach dwelling cabbage-esk plant is really high in vitamin C, so when reaching a friendly shore, the sailors could scoff it and stop looking all peeky.

Peedie loses interest. When I had mentioned 'beach cabbage' he thought of a roast dinner. As none was forthcoming, he was less than pleased.

 

Might as well be an imposter grass then eh?

 

There's just no pleasing him, his botanical interest extends to food. Bit like myself really, although as this makes an OK salad addition, I'm still interested!