bristly ox-tongue, Bee bread and bonking beetles... a lesson in the origins of plant names

Last night saw another successful Friends of Horfield Common guided walk, this time exploring the Folklore of Wildflowers with local naturalist Eric Swithinbank.
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After a day of almost continuous rain, we were relieved to see the skies clear just in time for the walk, and it was wonderful to see such a good turnout. People of varying ages and backgrounds joined us to explore the hidden stories, uses and meanings behind some of the plants growing quietly around us on Horfield Common.

One of the nicest things about the evening was seeing how animated people became as the walk went on. Many of us pass these plants every day without noticing them, but once you begin learning their names, histories and folklore, the Common starts to feel like a completely different place.
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Eric introduced us to a rich mix of plant folklore and natural history, including protective trees, traditional brewing plants, old remedies, pollinator favourites and some wonderfully odd names such as the entertaining possible origins of the name Herb Robert. Any evening that includes Corky-fruited Water-dropwort, ‘bee bread’ and ‘bonking beetles’ was never going to be dull — but we will not reveal all the stories here. You will have to come along next time to hear the full tales.

The walk also highlighted some of the hidden ecological treasures of the Common, including tucked-away ponds, ditches and wetland areas that many local people had never previously noticed.

Most importantly, the evening showed exactly why these walks matter. They help people connect more deeply with the Common, not simply as open space, but as a living landscape full of history, wildlife and stories. We were especially pleased that several attendees expressed interest in future walks, volunteering and our upcoming Pollinator Safari event.

A big thank you to Eric for another fascinating and engaging evening and we look forward to his Pollinator Safari in June which is bookable here:

Photos below...