What are these?

[helenol]

I have no idea what these are, growing amongst other "weeds" in the garden, actually just on the edge of the wood. The stems are very firm to the touch and feel "heavy". No doubt I'll be suitably embarrassed if they turn out to be something very common indeed!

[winkle]

They look like the unripe fruit of Cuckoo Pint (Aurum Lily).

They will eventually turn red.

Very common woodland edge, hedgerow plant.

[helenol]

Excellent. Thanks very much for the quick reply.

Must say, I've never heard of said plant.

[winkle]

Have a look at this link for a bit more info.

www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/cucko122.html

[helenol]

I note pheasants eat the berries. I have loads of pheasants in the garden!

Marvellous name too - Lords and Ladies/Cuckoo Pint/Wake Robin etc.

Great stuff, thanks again, much appreciated.

[winkle]

The best alternative name is Dog's Dick, after the shape of the spadix.

Cuckoo Pint is also a corruption of Cuckoo Pintle.

Are ansestors were much more graphic with there names, then the Victorians came along and cleaned them all up.

John Ruskin even tried to have Orchids renamed Wreathworts when he found out Orchis is Greek for testicles.

[helenol]

Deary me, some of the stuff we learn here on BF.... it cracks me up it does! :t:

[Alastair Rae]

Must say, I've never heard of said plant. About 25 years ago, my girlfriend & I were walking in north London, somewhere out beyond Cockfosters. We came across this funny plant and wondered what it was. We bought a general fieldguide* that had both plants and birds... We've been birding & botanising ever since. |8)|

* http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0007191723/reviews/026-3275565-2641255

[helenol]

About 25 years ago, my girlfriend & I were walking in north London, somewhere out beyond Cockfosters. We came across this funny plant and wondered what it was. We bought a general fieldguide* that had both plants and birds... We've been birding & botanising ever since. |8)|

* http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0007191723/reviews/026-3275565-2641255
Yes Alistair I get the hint. However, as I have already stated in previous threads, I did have a very good book indeed about wild flowers etc, but it has been mislaid. Until I find it again, I shall continue to ask about i.d. on this forum.

Regards

[Colin Trotman]

Also known as 'Lords & Ladies', the early plants are sheathed in what looks like robes, the outer covering drops off as the fruit matures

[winkle]

Also known as 'Lords & Ladies', the early plants are sheathed in what looks like robes, the outer covering drops off as the fruit matures

There's another smutty suggestion for that too. It has been known as The Lord's and the Lady's, agian because of the shape of the 'flower'.

[Colin Trotman]

We won't ask you to explain that in detail!

[IanF]

About 25 years ago, my girlfriend & I were walking in north London, somewhere out beyond Cockfosters. We came across this funny plant and wondered what it was. We bought a general fieldguide* that had both plants and birds... We've been birding & botanising ever since. |8)|

* http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0007191723/reviews/026-3275565-2641255
Fieldguides of course are very useful - but don't always answer the query you have.

Online resources are particularly useful for ID queries as those 'in the know' can see a photo or read a description and make a correct identifcation. This is usually confirmed by others and the reasons for identification given if it's confusable or an alternative has been suggested.

The ID forums are after all for everyone to use, whether novices or someone with more expertise who wants clairification or to discuss and ID.

[Yernagates]

It's also called Jack in the Pulpit, for similar reasons.

By the way, don't be mislead by the pheasants eating the fruit -- as far as I recall all parts of the plant are highly irritant and eating them is not advised. (Perhaps it's like chillies -- birds aren't affected by the heat of those).

Richard