I OFFER this list of coastal plants in response to the list of coastal birds (Recommends, 24 October). I am always amazed that our flora is so under-represented. I preface the list with an extract from this marvellously descriptive flower poem, Scotland Small? by Hugh MacDiarmid. All these flowers can be found along the Buchan coast.
SCOTLAND small? Our multiform, our infinite Scotland - small?
Only as a patch of hillside may be a cliche corner
To a fool who cries 'Nothing but heather!'
Where in September another
Sitting there and resting and gazing around
Sees not only heather but blaeberries
With bright green leaves and leaves already turned scarlet,
Hiding ripe blue berries; and amongst the sage-green leaves
Of the bog-myrtle the golden flowers of the tormentil shining;
And on the small bare places, where the little Blackface sheep
Found grazing, milkworts blue as summer skies.
1 GRASS OF PARNASSUS
An exquisite flower of late summer, common in wet, boggy places with base, rich soils where it forms extensive colonies. The dark-green leaves are heart-shaped and the solitary flower has oval, white petals, delicately veined with pale green. Diminutive treasure, growing to only 20 centimetres.
|
Select a Florist
