This wildflower blog is having a rather understated restart for 2025. There is nothing showy about dog’s mercury which likes to skulk in the shade. You can find it on the edge of Col 25, the Colerne/Thickwood footpath and in shaded woodland areas. Dog’s mercury and Hart’s tongue fern, another common plant on that footpath are both ancient woodland indicator species. Are they giving us a glimpse into our past?
The common name “dog” refers to the plant being inferior to other similar plants. Not just inferior - distinctly poisonous. Not one for salad foraging!
Male and female plants grow in separate patches. These are the more common male plants from my walk today, and this link has photos of the female plants. Dog’s mercury identification
Ground nesting birds such as woodcock value its ground cover in woodland and is an important food plant for many invertebrates.
This link has lots more information on this ancient plant Dogs Mercury