Loose

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is in flower all over the place right now.  This tall and impressive perennial grows in damp ground and can be found in abundance around the lakes of Straw's Bridge.

Purple Loosestrife belongs to a family which now includes the Pomegranate as well as the popular 1970's house-plant known as a Cigar Plant.  It has been used in medicine for many years as a treatment for diarrhoea.  It is also well-liked by bee keepers as the flowers contain large quantities of nectar - and, of course, it makes a wonderful show.