Friday, July 22, 2011

Common Heath aka 'pretty pink flowers'


Insignificant plant, unfriendly with its spiky, scratchy, sneaky, sharp leaves.

Just the right height to scrape at summer-bare legs, and drop dry leaves into gaiters and socks,
to work their way down into well laced boots,
irritating, itchy, till you stop and empty them out …

time after time.

Some might call Victoria’s floral emblem almost boring

“Common Heath”- an uninspiring, ho hum name for a lackluster plant.

Comes into its own in winter coastal heathlands;
extrudes buds from spindly twig-like stems.
Small tubular flowers - white, pale pink, rose, crimson. Brighten the drab winter bushland with bursts of glorious colour.









a Drabble is a story told in 100 words. No more, no less.

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9 comments:

Liza said...

This is wonderful and the heath looks so pretty.

Ms. Becky said...

oh I don't think this is a boring flower/plant at all. it has real dignity is its splendor. I especially like the second photo. it this is your colorful winter, how blessed are you! wishing you a fun weekend Sue.

Sue said...

Liza, thanks, it is a lovely flower and most welcome during the dreary winter days.

Becky, Dignity, that's a word that fits! winter here is dreary, but not nearly as challenging as you experience. Have a lovely weekend.

Manzanita said...

Good Morning Sue, Don't know what it is for you but it's AM for me. That Heath has a beautiful flower. I like the bell shaped flowers. Sometimes we have to endure a little annoyance to get to such a lovely pink surprise.
Hope your weekend is off to a good start and gives you nothing but joy.
I like it that you are still doing the drabble.
Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sue ..the countryside blushes with heathery colours ... beautiful - we have it down here in the south too - in the sandy counties .. Dorset and Surrey in particular .. as well as across the Yorkshire Moors and Scotland.

Love the drabble - thanks very pretty pics .. cheers Hilary

Sue said...

Manzanita, (may I call you Manzi, or is that inappropriate?) It's interesting how some flowers have evolved to repel creatures that are likely to munch on them, yet others like the violet seem defenseless.

Hilary, Heath & heather - are they related I wonder. I'd never thought about that before. You always get me thinking - thankyou!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sue .. I'd meant to check before I posted .. but didn't! They're actually separate species .. but occur in similar areas ... Cheers for now - H

Sue said...

Thanks Hilary, I had the suspicion the flower was different. I seem to remember that your Heather is a bit more like our Erica - with a sort of dry, crunchy flower (gosh I hope a botanist doesn't read this)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

You're right .. and thank goodness specialists don't read our descriptive blogs! Cheers H