So which flower?
"Our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them" Hamlet, IV/VII. The fat roots of the Purple Loosestrife do resemble dead men's fingers, but Shakespeare was thought to be describing the roots of Early Purple Orchids.
Epsom & Ewell Flower Finder
Lythraceae: the Loosestrife & Water Purslane Family
In the top right hand corner of John Everett Millais' painting of "Ophelia" you will see this plant, growing on the riverbank of the Hogsmill River, flowing through our borough. It still grows there today! The description in Hamlet of "the long purples" is thought to mean native orchids; Millais was no fool and used what was available!
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Lythrum salicaria
Purple Loosestrife, Spiked Loosestrife.
Hairy. Grows upright in spikes on damp ground. Up to 1.5 metre high.
About
A beautiful plant - you cannot miss this on a riverbank. Found at Old Malden Lane, Epsom & Ewell. It grows on watercourses throughout the borough.
The flowers are attractive to long-tongued pollinators; Elephant Hawk Moths flock to this plant and it even has it's own beetle! Loosestrife Beetle larvae feed on the foliage.
HOMEMore information
SURREY'S WILDFLOWERING PROJECT is a community-led initiative, aiming to build a partnership that enables wildflowering in the county as well as promoting and celebrating the boroughs/districts diverse environments. Do take the time to find out more about the project and if you can get involved, even in a small way, you will make a difference.
THE SCC BLUE CAMPAIGN© The Epsom & Ewell Flower Finder. I'm out and about but you can get in touch via Cuddington Online Facebook 