Brian’s Nature Diary for July 2008
Despite the wholesale, even ruthless, way in which our lowland flat-bottomed fields have
been drained, often destroying whole swathes of wildlife-rich countryside in the process,
a few acres of what farmer’s often think of as ‘sour’ land still remain. Even in the most
intensively worked areas it is still possible to come across them. Often they may be
recognised for what they are by the tufts of rushes standing tall like so many gloomy
green shaving brushes.
Rushes are very ancient plants having been around for hundreds of thousands of years.
They come in two types and many different species. Ranging in height from a few inches
to two metres or so they either have stiff round stems and leaves, filled with a lightweight
pith; or they have round solid stems and hairy grass-like leaves. These latter are known as
the wood-rushes.
Evidently the stiff species are disliked by foraging cattle and sheep. Only when more
palatable fare has been eaten are the rushes nibbled. So in closely cropped swards they
tend to stand out, hence the conspicuous dark green tufts. Their mainly brownish or
cream-coloured flowers are crowded together at the top of the stem. To the casual looker
it seems as if they poke out a few inches below the tip of the stem. Technically this upper
part is called an awn and is roughly the same as one of the green sepals that you find
below the petals of many garden flowers.
In days gone by rushes were harvested in summer to make a supply of rush-lights to keep
the cottages lit during winter evenings. For preference the tall bulrushes were used as
they, carefully prepared, would provide light for longer. Older folk or children were
given the task of stripping the hard outside off the stems to reveal the white inner pith.
One strip of the rind was left intact to hold the whole thing together. After careful drying
they were finally dipped into fat, and when burned they would give a clear light for an
hour or more. Rush-light holders were made to support them. It seems simple the way I
have described it, but the stripping and soaking was apparently quite a skilful process.
The two commonest Rush species likely to be found are known as the hard and soft
rushes. I am sure you would like to know how to tell them apart! Contrary to what you
may think they are very similar, but with your thumbnail if you carefully strip off the
outside of the stem you will find it solid in the case of the hard rush, but interrupted, like
the rungs of a ladder, in the soft rush.
Environmental tip of the month. Sprays of pungently smelling elder leaves make a good
fly deterrent. Either arrange them with your flowers in water, or keep an old saucepan
(they are poisonous) to boil them up. Dilute to use as a spray in the garden. Absolutely
safe to use on your growing vegetables
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