Did you start looking for a bird in that first picture? Sorry! There isn't one (I think). But according to Wikipedia, bird-in-a-bush is one of the names for this flower.
When I came across the flower on my walk today, I had no idea what it was called in any language, Swedish included. So I used Google Image Search to find out.
It seems to be one of those plants that go by many different names. In Swedish it's called stor nunneört. A direct translation of that to English would be something like "big nun's herb" (but implying it's the herb that's big rather than the nun). In Latin it's called Corydalis solida. In English, it's goes by the names fumewort and bird-in-a-bush. Another article on only Corydalis adds that the name comes from Greek korydalís = crested lark. (Latin Galerida cristata, Swedish tofslärka).
So does "bird in a bush" refer to crested lark? I still had difficulties quite seeing it...
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| Image from Wikipedia |
But then I read on a bit further still about the bird, and found this passage:
Francis of Assisi considered the crested lark a bird of special significance, based on similarities he perceived between it and the life of the Friars Minor: its plain earth-coloured plumage and hood, its humility ("for it goes willingly along the wayside and finds a grain of corn for itself"), and its time spent in song.
Now perhaps we're getting there? The flower also grows along the wayside, and "sings quietly" (but with colour rather than sound).
(PS. In the article about the crested lark, there are also a couple of video clips where you can listen to it sing, sitting on the ground.)
I have never heard of such a plant, nothing like it here. It seems to be rather trumpet shaped, kind of like honeysuckle. But a different color.
ReplyDeleteGinny, I should have added that it's a spring flower that belongs in northern Europe and Asia. I can't recall having come across it (or paid it any attention) before either, though.
DeleteWe have that plant here, too, and the German name (Lerchensporn) also refers to birds of the lark family.
ReplyDeleteNot sure now whether you have an iphone, Monica, but if you do, your photos should sometimes show a little "i" as in information, and when you tap it, it will show you what a plant is called or a public building like a palace or other landmark. It is not always correct (at least not with the buildings), but it can be useful :-)
Meike, my phone is not an iphone and does not seem to automatically provide that kind of info.
Deleteout of all the names this flower is called by, I prefer the bird in the bush because it is easy to remember. it seems there are many names for all plants. and having contact with you and several in other countries has taught me that we all say the same thing in different ways. Like jumper/sweater, aparment/flat,
ReplyDeletetrousers/pants
DeleteSandra, I "got stuck" on the name "bird-in-a-bush" because it made absolutely no sense to me... until I had done all that research... ;) (Now I'll hopefully remember it!)
DeleteThe plant looks familiar, and I remember seeing it in hedgerows when I lived in England. I think we are too far south here, as I can't recall seeing it - though I will keep an eye open.
ReplyDeleteSadly with the number of cats there are around here, including the two feral ones that I feed, I no longer see any birds in the garden. I can't understand why we have so many cats when the dog spends much of her waking moments barking like mad and chasing them out of the garden!
Carol, the Wiki article says that flower prefers "moist, shady habitats" - which is probably not what you moved to Spain for... ;-)
DeleteAs for the cats - if you feed some of them, no wonder more keep coming...??
The problem is that most of the neighbours nearby have cats. Next door, and the house below, each have three who use my garden as a short cut and no doubt help themselves to a snack on the way!
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