A Botanical Excursion

Tuesday July 9, 2019

Another Tuesday afternoon with splendid weather for the weekly ride with the bicycle club. Two o'clock and eight cycists were ready to roll, Sebastian leading the way. Today's theme was wild plants, flowers or so-called weeds, that grow on the wayside where crops are planted or in the woods. Although I can't recite the names of all the interesting specimens Sebastian introduced us to, I was more than impressed at his extensive botanical knowledge. Not only could he name in German and Latin just about anything that was growing, but he also knew if it was edible, had medicinal properties, was a pest or a boon for farmers, what kind of soil and conditions it indicated - and so much more.

The ride itself was short, I think 25 km altogether, and at the end of the ride we stopped at the Kraillinger Brauerei, an old and traditional beer garden, for a chat and something to drink before we headed home.

And now for a few pictures

Glorious weather - again - for our Tuesday afternoon group ride

An unmowed patch where various wild plants abounded

Sebastian urged us to look at the roots as well as the leaves, smell them, and ... to taste some which are edible.

Trying an edible leaf, I can't remember its name.

One of the few places that isn't mowed

More interesting plants on the verge of the corn fields

Daisies among the canola