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Formonthills - Yellow Rattle Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Professor Xavier: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it. Please note that as this cache has now been archived by a reviewer or HQ staff it will NOT be unarchived.

Regards

Ed
Professor Xavier - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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Hidden : 4/17/2016
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Formonthills is a young woodland with lots to offer.  A total of 80,000 trees have been planted with the help of the local community, with wildflower meadows, wetland areas, abundant wildlife, several circular walks, and a commanding position offering spectacular views.  Don't forget to look out for sculptures along the way.  A mix of hard path and grass tracks take you on an exploration of this hillside with excellent views.  




Rhinanthus minor, more commonly called yellow rattle or hay rattle.

Yellow rattle is a grassland annual with yellow, tube-like flowers protruding from an inflated, green calyx looking like two lips - the upper lip with two white or purple 'teeth'. Behind the flower the joined sepals inflate to form a green bladder sometimes tinged with red. It has serrated leaves with heavy, dark veins, which sprout opposite each other all the way up the stem. Its stems have black spots. Flowering occurs from May through to September

This annual plant thrives in grasslands, living a semi-parasitic life by feeding off the nutrients in the roots of nearby grasses. For this reason, it was once seen as an indicator of poor grassland by farmers, but is now often used to turn improved grassland back to meadow; it feeds off the vigorous grasses, eventually allowing more delicate species to push their way through.

Once the flowers are over the seed capsule turns into a brown and papery bladdershaped pods. The seeds within ripen and rattle in the breeze, said to indicate that the meadow was ready to be cut for hay, hence its other common name of hay rattle.

If you find one of the dried seed heads, don't forget to give it a little rattle!



Additional Hints (Decrypt)

UVAG; fznyy pnpur ng n zhygv gehaxrq gerr haqre tenff naq fnpx ARJ PNPURE GVC; ab fcbvyre cubgbtencuf fubhyq or nqqrq gb lbhe cntr fubjvat gur uvqr be hahfhny pbagnvaref

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)