Saturday, July 26, 2014



When I came back from getting the paper I saw that there was one blossom open on the Groundsel Senecio vulgaris, I set up the ring flash and put the 10 dioptre on the Tamron 90mm. Got a set of pix that covers the remainder of photos to complete the set. Like many of the "weeds" there is an atractiveness about the bloom when seen in a large size.
(Click on the picture with the mouse left button to see this happen) It is surprising to see the details that emerge in the sceen filling picture that results.


















































I also got a shot of the flower from the side  showing the Calyx  and another of the empty wrecks after the Achenes had gone. Now all I need is to capture them full.


Culpeper says of groundsel amongst other things :—

This herb is Venus's mistress-piece, and is as gallant and universal a medicine for all diseases coming of heat, in what part of the body soever they be, as the sun shines upon; it is very safe and friendly to the body of man: yet causes vomiting if the stomach be afflicted; if not, purging: and it doth it with more gentleness than can be expected; it is moist, and something cold withal, thereby causing expulsion, and repressing the heat caused by the motion of the internal parts in purges and vomits. Lay by our learned receipts; take so much Sena, so much Scammony, so much Colocynthis, so much infusion of Crocus Metallorum, &c. this herb alone preserved in a syrup, in a distilled water, or in an ointment, shall do the deed for you in all hot diseases, and, shall do it, i, Safely; 2, Speedily.
The decoction of this herb (saith Dioscorides) made with wine, and drank, helps the pains of the stomach, proceeding of choler, (which it may well do by a vomit) as daily experience shews. The juice thereof taken in drink, or the decoction of it in ale, gently performs the same. It is good against the jaundice and falling sick­ness, being taken in wine; as also against difficulty of making water. It provokes urine, expels gravel in the reins or kidneys; a dram thereof given in oxymel, after some walking or stirring of the body















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