A tiny flower for today's flower - I believe it is the common chickweed. Almost overlooked and yet, as Autumn progresses it becomes very difficult NOT to notice the swift growing clumps of chickweed colonising any bare areas and squeezing itself in between the Winter crops. It does this quickly as it flowers and sets seed at the same time - a clever tactic!
Pretty useful as it is edible and quite nutritious with a decent amount of iron. Both humans in salad and poultry can be well-satisfied by it, although, after rain, it is rather a fiddle to clean off the soil, being a groundcover.
The colour is an amazing zing of green at a time of many things dying off and the oncoming brassicas looking fairly glaucous!
In times past it has been used as a cooling herb medicinally, helping ailments such as arthritis, anaemia, itchy skin conditions and ...wait for it...mange!!
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