Langbar Loop #4: Narrow Lane - Floral Corridor
The 4th cache in the series, a small camo-taped sliding top plastic box, is hidden up on the western bank near the lower end of the lane.
See Langbar Loop #1 for background info on the series including a map.
From #3 climb up the steep grassy slope and head across the field to the gate @ N 53 57.101 W 1 51.995 which marks the start of this wonderful ancient deeply sunken path.
***Note: from late Spring until late Autumn the path will be well overgrown - including by nettles!
So, to avoid getting stung, please wear appropriate protective clothing . . . '
Info on the history behind the path has not been found but it has obviously been there for a long time. At the time of placing the cache in late spring, the banks were covered in wild flowers and I can imagine that by mid-summer it could be well overgrown - not the path itself which is stony or even bare rock in places but the steep high banks on either side.
One of the most common, prominent and distinctive flowers is the Red Campion (Silene dioica or Melandrium rubrum). This herbaceous biennial or perennial which grows to 30–90 cm, with branching stems, is native throughout central, western and northern Europe, and locally in southern Europe and has been introduced in Iceland, Canada, the US, and Argentina. It is locally abundant throughout the UK.
Its many other names include: Red catchfly, Adder's flower, Devil's flower, Hare's eye, Mother-die, Poor Robin, Ragged Jack, Red Lychnis, Robins, Soldiers and White soapwort!
Related Folklore: A recognisable hedgerow flower, its flowers were said to resemble buttons. Its Latin name Silene comes from the merry, drunken Greek god Silenus, although in folklore the plant was considered anything but merry.
It had a dubious reputation in some parts of Britain, eg. the Isle of Man, where it was believed that picking the flower would bring bad luck. There was a belief held among children that they would be killed by lightning if they picked the flowers.
In Wales, the plant was known as snakebite and picking it was thought to lead to snake bites, or caused snakes to come into the house. Like bluebells it had associations with fairies, or goblins, and their mischief, eg. on the Isle of Man it is known as 'blaa ny ferrishyn' or 'fairy flower',
As indicated by the specific name dioica, male and female unscented flowers are borne from May to October on separate plants (dioecious). The fruit, produced from July onwards, is an ovoid capsule with numerous seeds.
It grows in roadsides, hedgerows, woodlands, and rocky slopes, prefering damp, non-acid soils.
It is used as an perennial garden flower for ornamental border. One particularly notable variety is a hot pink, double flowered variety with deep green leaves called 'Firefly'. Its nectar is used by bumblebees and butterflies, and several species of moth feed on the foliage.
Containing saponins, in the past its root was used as a soap substitute for washing clothes etc. The 'soap' is
obtained by simmering the root in hot water.
Medicinal uses which have been claimed/recorded for it include: skin cleansing, and treatment of skin inflammation, irritation & blemishes; menstrual disorders, immunity boost and poisoning by snake bites!
See here and here for more info on this very common, attractive flower.