Queen of the Verges
Ribwort Plantain puts on her crown for May
Ribwort Plantain
Hello my nature-seekers, greetings from the verge! I keep getting wet knees and losing track of time; it’s that time of the season when new plant allies are flowering and leafing almost daily, and there’s certainly something new to see each time I go for a walk. I know we’ve all been waiting this Spring for a break in the rain and the relentless overcast days, but I’ve been waiting for a dry day for something quite specific that brings me such joy!
Queen of the Verges is not an old folk name for Ribwort Plantain. It’s a new name she told me today when I was adoring her pollen crowns and tapping a couple to watch the puffs of pollen drift on the breeze (a practice that my inner child just loves). But as the edges of paths and fields come alive this week with Plantain flowers, the architectural black buds are encircled with delicate creamy-coloured pollen tiaras, one by one, and I find myself grinning at this little Queen.
The energy of this wonderful plant ally feels very child-like to me - the creative child in a state of play, putting on their mother’s too-large shoes or grandad’s big hat and playing make-believe. Try stopping by this lovely plant the next time you see it, and knocking the pollen clouds on a sunny day, and my invitation is for you to feel child-you when you do so. Let in a moment of child-like play and wonder.
I loved the Flower Fairies as a child - the sweet illustrations by Cicely-Mary Barker all based around native wild plants and garden familiars. There is a lovely poem here on the Flower Fairies website for Ribwort Plantain.
These lovely flowers are also edible, and taste of mushrooms. Pick the black buds before the stamens of pollen have appeared and have a nibble, or throw a few onto your salad. Be quick! They taste good early in the season but become chewy and dry when they are older, as the flowers become the seedheads.
Learning more about Plantain…
If you come along to my next Wild Hygge session we will be journeying with Plantain deeper, and learning about it’s healing qualities as we make First Aid Balm together, to take home and use! We will also work with Yarrow and Daisies, have some foraged herbal tea and light the fire if it’s dry. The session is on Sunday 19th May from 2-4pm and costs £12, see the poster at the bottom of this email for more info. To book your place please email me on woodland-jo@outlook.com, or reply to this email.
See you in the verges!
Jo xx
I am so glad I found your Substack, Jo. I was admiring the plantain while out for a walk last night. It looks like it is going to be a good season for it.
I never knew plantain was edible! I always liked playing with those when I was little... what a lovely post, thankyou!