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Plant IDs

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  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited December 2020
    Agree with B3.
    1.  Hedera helix...common name Ivy.
    The bees adore the flowers and when the berries ripen to black will be enjoyed by the birds in winter.

    2. Laurus nobilis...common name Bay tree.
    Pick the leaves and dry them for cooking.

    3.  Prunus laurocerasus..cherry laurel.
    Berries poisonous to us.

    Quote wiki....

    "Toxicity

    Leaves and seed may cause severe discomfort to humans if ingested. The seeds contained within the cherries are poisonous like the rest of the plant, containing cyanogenic glycosides and amygdalin. This chemical composition is what gives the smell of almonds when the leaves are crushed"

    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • Yes that’s the arboreal stage of Hedera helix aka English Ivy. It
    climbs to the top of its support then branches out into the arboreal (tree-like) stage and at that stage it flowers and fruits ... at this stage it’s a really valuable wildlife resource. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    And you can send the sous chef out to pick it if it's raining!
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • @Silver surfer  -  I used to dry Bay leaves - they kept well but I would suggest that if someone has a decent sized Bay, there is little difference in the flavour when picked fresh.  Saves on storage space if nowt else ;)
    Interesting I have always thought dried was better.

    See Delia's comments....
    Quote....."Bay trees, with their glossy green leaves, can be quite prolific. I have one about 2 feet (60 cm) high, which gives me all the bay leaves I need. Fresh bay leaves, shown on the left here, however, can impart a slightly bitter flavour, so this is a herb which is far better used dried".
    https://www.deliaonline.com/ingredient/bay-leaves
    .............................................
    Elsewhere on www it says...Quote...

    "Why Fresh Bay Leaves Are Better Than Dried Rach is a fan, and we are, too! “Fresh bay leaves have a lighter, more floral flavor, and they keep for weeks in the fridge,” she says. ... Fresh bay leaves are usually a little more expensive than dried, but any you don't use can be frozen or (you guessed it) dried"
    ............................................................
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Nigella Lawson has a good recipe for lamb with fresh bay leaves 
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Fresh bay works for me. If it's not strong enough, pick some  more. There's unlikely to be a shortage 😉
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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