Ian planted a Monkshood plant, which has lovely flowers and is very poisonous. I think he got the idea from Cadfael, a PBS Mystery series about a crusader turned monk/herbalist. Whatever the reason, it flourished and now has died back, leaving stalks and seedpods. I think we’ll be seeing more Monkshood next year.
I was going to trim back the stalks last weekend but was lazy. Now I am glad, as two Ruby Meadowhawks (Sympetrum rubicundulum) were hanging out on the top of the stalks this afternoon. Two males, still dogfighting periodically, mostly were sitting on the tops of the stalks, pretty much oblivious to me except when I actually touched one to see if he would perch on my fingers, like damselflies often will. Nothing doing, they’d take off, hover, and set down again in the same spot. I put my finger in place of a stalk, and they’d land on a different stalk.
So if you’re tempted to clean up your yard, here’s a good reason not to.
Happy September,
Canoelover
So the monkshood? Do not eat it. Do not even pretend. My cousin’s boyfriend died suddenly 2 summers ago in Newfoundland, impersonating an innocent (yet ignorant) naturalist and eating wildflowers. No joke; it was the MH, in the end. !!!
We know. Really, I told Ian when he planted it that it was poisonous, and pretending to be Cadfael was stupid and dangerous. If you want to email him and tell him (Facebook) that would be fine with me.
Hugs, D
P.S. He’s wearing the Canada socks to school again.
He is??!!! Wow, intelligent AND fashion-conscious!
You could wear your tie to parent teacher interviews so they know you’re related.
great idea rosie, otherwise there is no possible way that anyone will be able to figure that Ian and Dad are related. Never.
WSB. YOU MADE ME PEE MY PANTS WITH THAT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, I can FEEL the dead pan screaming thru the computer screen. Nice work.