Walls and Whorls

Whorls is one of those words that stimulates the first inevitable question "How do you say it?" Well it's apparently the same as you would say "whirls". (Maybe provoking the next question, which starts "So why.....?)

Whorls are arrangements of leaves, flowers or branches along a stem radially, i.e. all from the same point. The commonest examples, to be found all over Blacka, are the bedstraws, with tiny white flowers - Heath Bedstraw and Marsh Bedstraw. Also, and related, is Goosegrass (or Cleavers). A less well known example from the same family and more commonly found in chalky districts is Crosswort.

This has found a home near the north boundary wall along with other species that fancy a less acid soil. Crosswort is beautiful, extremely delicate with yellow flowers and well-deserving of a detailed look.

Leaves and flowers come out from the same points on the stem in near symmetrical arrangement.

***********

The recently reported weedkiller poisoning of plants along this wall has now been confirmed as the responsibility of contractors working for Amey who had been carrying out repairs to the stone wall.

This is as I had guessed, but what is not clear is their relationship with the landowners who are, under lease, SRWT. The latter should have known, certainly should have been informed, of what was going on. The repair of that wall had been flagged up in their management plan. This looks like another event where nobody fully owns up to responsibility. Amey is contracted to Sheffield Council's Highways Dept. The workers may be contracted to Amey. Sheffield Council owns Blacka but has leased it to SRWT. "So and so" is on annual leave ..... etc.