Langbar Loop #5: Narrow Lane - Wildflower Wonderland
The 5th cache in the series, a screw-capped, black-taped plastic pot, is hidden near Low Lathe in the mid-section of the lane.
See Langbar Loop #1 for background info on the series including a map.
***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 . . . '
By now as you ascend this wonderful sunken path, you will have become totally immersed in - hopefully not attacked by! - the lining vegetation on the high banks including both the small trees and bushes and the numerous wild flowers, which, especially during the spring and summer will be in full bloom.
Amongst these is the Greater stitchwort (Rabelera holostea) a short straggly perennial of the Caryophyllaceae (Carnation) family native to Western and Central Europe, including the British Isles.
It is abundantly found, growing in swathes along hedgerows and in woodlands, edges, roadside verges and open fields and is sometimes grown in gardens. It grows up to 60cm high and produces pretty white star-like flowers from April-June 2–3cm across with 5 petals split to about halfway.
It has an explosive seed-dispersal mechanism. Disturb a large patch of them in summer and they go off like fireworks. which is why some people call it ‘popguns’ or ‘poppers’.
The species name holostea comes from the Greek holosteon, meaning 'entire bone'; a reference to the brittleness of its weak stems.
The most common name stitchwort refers to a herbal remedy made from the plant to allegedly cure side 
stitch, which afflicts many people when they try to run without stretching first. Other common names include greater starwort, daddy's-shirt-buttons, poor-man's buttonhole, brassy buttons, wedding cakes, adder's meat, star-of-Bethlehem, headaches, milkmaids, stinkwort, and snapdragon (relating to its easily broken stems).
It is beneficial to many flying insects, including bees and butterflies (like the Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines shown in the photo) searching for nectar during the spring. It is also the food plant of Marsh pug (Eupithecia pygmaeata), Plain clay (Eugnorisma depuncta) and Large yellow underwing (Noctua pronuba) moths.
