Quirky Meadow Saffron

By Rhiannonw

Sat, 10 Dec 2011
  • 1942 reads
6 comments
 

(seen, Aug 2009 Merbach Hill)
Beautiful, and like a ‘crocus’
fragile jewel in autumn grass
petals lilac meld their bases,
into stem-like tube, that’s white
swaying, delicate and light
emerging from the ground.
No leaves until the flower dies,
– but in the spring they will arise
and as they lengthen, maturing fruit
lifted with the leafy shoot.
Poisonous to stock, – so rare,
destroyed in meadows where they graze;
but extracts are researched with care:
potential chemical displays
of therapeutic use.

Certificate U
Poem
Nature
Nature

Comments

Submitted by ScoZen on
I always enjoy a visit to your little "Nature" tales. Liked this one
ScoZen

Submitted by Rhiannonw on
Thank you. I had been trying something else, which wasn't coming well, and thought about this little fascinating flower, and wanted to capture a bit about it, so took a productive break from the other idea! Rh

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

Another flower I wasn't aware of, and need to do some research on. Thanks for the pretty read, and information.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jean. We were surprised to see it on a little walk one early autumn,  mid August i think that time, and had to look it up as it certainly wasn't the time of year for crocuses. I think the only place we have seen it is this one spot, which we have happened to return to a couple of times at about the same time of year, and each time have found some there, the last time lots and lots of it!  I think there is a garden 'autumn crocus' that looks like it,  but with a different number of stamens. I think Meadow Saffron is regarded as a lily. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

it always amazes me how much knowledge you have of flowers and nature. This poem taught me so much and was such a pleasure to read.

Thank you for sharing.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. We had to look this up at the time. I really ought to try to put a picture to it as when this was posted, ABC didn't have that facility I think. Rhiannon