To look at, the flowers lack the immaculate symmetry of many – they’re a bit of a mess – but oh, the smell…. The strong, sweet fragrance intensifies as the day goes on, peaking in the evening, when it attracts moths. Pollinators love them, and a range of wildlife eats the berries (we shouldn’t!). There are roughly 180 different species of this twining climber, and around Otley it can be seen in gardens and growing wild. I think I’m right in saying that it is an indicator species of ancient woodland ie areas continuously wooded since at least 1600.
Photos by Pixabay and Neil Griffin
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