Wild garlic

The favourites of the woods at this time of the year are undoubtedly the bluebells but lower down wild garlic carpets the damp sumps of Newton Wood. Also known as ramsons, the plant has long been used medicinally, usually in tonics made from the bulbs. It is widespread throughout Europe and Asia where the bulbs are a big favourite with brown bears. Indeed the species element of the scientific name, Allium ursinum, comes from the Latin for bear. It must have been a few years since brown bears have foraged in Newton Wood.