Ragwort, with its mass of bright yellow flowers and ragged leaves on tall erect stalks, is a poisonous plant that can be a great menace to livestock, especially horses that can die from progressive and irreversible liver damage caused by eating the dried plant in hay – they will not touch it in its fresh and bitter form – where it loses its bitterness but not its toxicity (although the number of actual deaths each year is hotly debated, with little evidence to support some of the wilder claims of up to 6,000). It is, however, deemed to be of sufficient threat that under the Weeds Act 1959 the Secretary of State may serve an enforcement notice on the occupier of land on which ragwort is growing, requiring them to take action to prevent its spread. And the subsequent Ragwort Control Act 2003 promotes the more efficient control of ragwort where it is deemed a threat to animal welfare. Ragwort is naturally a biennial plant, taking two years to mature to flowering and is commonly seen adding a welcome splash of bright colour to otherwise uninspiring environments (e.g. motorway verges and railway cuttings). In its first year it forms a dense rosette of leaves growing close to the earth and is at its most poisonous. The leaves give off an unpleasant smell when bruised, hence local names such as ‘Stinking Willie’ and ‘Mare’s Fart’. The cinnabar moth turns the poison contained in the plant to its own advantage, the black and yellow-banded caterpillars absorbing its toxin to deter predators. However, the story of this plant is very far from all bad. It is, actually, a British wildflower of significant importance to many insects and therefore has a major role to play in maintaining a healthy biodiversity and balance of nature. It is believed that at least 30 insect species, some rare or scarce, rely entirely upon it for their existence - any eradication of the plant would therefore prove to be fatal for their populations. It is also an important source of nectar and pollen for hundreds of species of bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and flies and, in fact ranks as one of the most visited plants by butterflies and insects. It is estimated that the annual rate of spread is around 10 per cent, with a single plant containing thousands of seeds, which can lie dormant in the soil for many years awaiting an ideal opportunity to germinate – disturbing the ground will often bring dormant seeds nearer to the surface. Care must also be taken when pulling that the whole plant is removed as it can regenerate from root fragments. Once colonised, it can take up to an estimated seven years of constant effort to clear a field of Ragwort. Hence, its control is a regular entry on the countryside volunteers’ summer task schedule.
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AuthorDespite being raised in London I have been a lover of the countryside all my life. Over the past few years I have been priviledged to be able to work as a countryside management volunteer, picking up new skills and knowledge along the way and seeing the countryside in a way I never had before. The Urban Countryman is my personal view of that countryside, the seasons and the work that goes on to protect and manage this wonderful environment. Archives
January 2019
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