I was delighted to find a healthy patch of ground ivy whilst rambling around the East of Otley, I haven’t encountered it anywhere else in Otley, so I don’t know how common it is here, although it is apparently one of Britain’s commonest wild plants. Despite its name, Ground-ivy is not related to the more family ivy but is a member of the dead-nettle family. The plant was widely used by the Saxons instead of Hops in the production of ale, which gave it an alternative name of Alehoof. The flowers release a strong aroma that has been described as smelling like blackcurrants, sage, violets or even tom-cats! So you’ll have to take a sniff and decide for yourself.
By River Six Photo by Pixabay
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