Dog’s Mercury

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Thu, 26 Nov 2020
  • 1030 reads
9 comments
 

Emerging through the littered leaves
of the woodland floor
as February’s earth and air
warm slightly
causing buds of rhizome-roots
to swell and send up shoots,
and as we see the green appear
we know and sense that spring is coming
near.

Poisonous to many animals,
(though the ‘dog’ in its name
seems to mean ‘poor’)
but many insects feed on it,
anyway.
By April, May
see the unobtrusive inflorescences sway
scattering pollen on the female plants
with their rounded individual flowers
hanging on thin stems,
awaiting airborne showers
of pollen.

 

Certificate U
Poem
Nature
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Coolhermit on

every plant, every creature has its place.  Enjoyed your poem.

 

Rick

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Rick. So unobtrusive, but one of the first we see poking through, and spreads around the wood floor. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I've never heard of this plant before, so was intrigued by your poem. The photos certainly catch the essence as does your poem Rhiannon.

It's great that it attracts insects, but also sad that it's deadly to many creatures too.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks Jenny. A plant not easily noticed! bur when you start to do so, you see it all over the place it seems!

I just read a bit more about the term 'dog' in its name. It seems to be a term that is used in various plants meaning 'inferior', either because such a plant lacks the scent of a closely related species (eg a 'dog violet' lacks the sweet scent of a sweet violet), or sometimes can refer to a lack of medicinal properties, or the presence of toxins.

It seemed odd because dogs are among the animals that can get sick if they eat it! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I hadn't heard of it either, so thank you Rhiannon - and look at that wonderful bright green pushing up through the brown of the leaves - beautiful!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Insert, and yes, I do so love to see the leaves peeping - not just of dog's mercrury - through the dead leaves or mud at the end of winter! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks for cherries. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Looking to Spring time already and happier days next year. Beautiful poem.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks. Yes, nice to look back and ahead! Rhiannon