Look out for the first signs of Spring!

The Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) is currently flowering in the woodland.
Look out for it as you enter Fox Hill from Dorset Way on the right of the pathway close to our information
board.This is a native British wild flower that favours damp and shady areas.

It is one of the earliest spring flowers which can be spotted anytime between January and April. Because of this It is an important source of nectar and pollen for emerging queen bumble bees and other pollinators coming out of hibernation.
The Lesser Celandine is part of the Buttercup family and spreads quickly making it unpopular with some gardeners.

It was once thought that you could use Lesser Celandine to predict the weather as they close their petals before raindrops. The leaves are high in vitamin C and have been used to prevent scurvy. Another common name for the plant is Pilewort from its use as a treatment for haemorrhoids!