Puzzles 2012

[ronm]

Interestingly there is also a Scots Lovage, but from a different Genus, namely Ligusticum.

[Maggi Young]

Interestingly there is also a Scots Lovage, but from a different Genus, namely Ligusticum.

Yup, plenty of that around....
http://www.srgc.org.uk/monthfeature/may2004/content.html

[ronm]

What a brilliant article, !!,  .
I'd missed that one, or perhaps had flicked over it previously, .
Just shows that one doesn't have to travel miles to see interesting plants and fascinating ecosystems.  I think I'll try to do one myself for a unique geographical feature down the road - Spurn Point. Thanks for the inspiration Maggi and Ian.

Is Scots Lovage also good to cook with?

[Maggi Young]

Is Scots Lovage also good to cook with?

Hmmm, good question.... I've never tried. Never found it where it wouldn't have been widdled on by a thousand passing dogs!
Stephen B. will likely know... he eats everything.....

[Anthony Darby]

How is "Maggi" pronounced? They say Ma (as in hat) jee here.

[Lvandelft]

Super puzzle Ron, but I'm not so good with the cryptic things.

Hmmm, good question.... I've never tried. Never found it where it wouldn't have been widdled on by a thousand passing dogs!
Stephen B. will likely know... he eats everything.....

I just had to go out and try it: well the first taste is a little bit like the Levisticum, but when chewing a bit longer
longer it was more like raw spinach, which says enough. Thank Heavens I filled just before my glass with a good red wine

After posting some pictures and several sips of the wine I'm feeling much better now
Cheers to Stephen B.

[Lina Hesseling]

In Holland we pronounce it with a very soft G.
It sounds like the CH in Scheveningen.
Difficult to explain, sorry.

Lina.

[Anthony Darby]

Thanks Lina. Not like our Maggi then. I've often wondered.

[Stephenb]

Super puzzle Ron, but I'm not so good with the cryptic things.
I just had to go out and try it: well the first taste is a little bit like the Levisticum, but when chewing a bit longer
longer it was more like raw spinach, which says enough. Thank Heavens I filled just before my glass with a good red wine

After posting some pictures and several sips of the wine I'm feeling much better now
Cheers to Stephen B.

Cheers back and glad to be of service, although it's a bit early in the day

I agree with Ken Fern at http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ligusticum+scoticum that the raw plant is a strong and unpleasant.

However, when blanched (cover with a pot from early spring for a few weeks, it makes a pleasant tasting vegetable). The picture below is actually the Pacific Ligusticum hultenii (syn L. scoticum ssp hultenii) or Hulten's Licorice Root although I can't tell the difference (anyone know how to separate them?).

                                 

See also
 

[Stephenb]

...and if you keep Maggi covered from early spring/ keep her in the dark for a month, she blossoms and I defy anyone not to be tempted to nibble on this wondrous mild tasting edible:



It's also called Maggi-urt / Maggi Herb over here. The taste is only slightly stronger than celery, is more productive than the latter.  I call this vegetable perennial blanched celery (or perhaps perennial blanched maggi would be better )

[Anthony Darby]

I'm going to look at Maggi in a new light, unless she's still in the dark?

[Maggi Young]

This Maggi keeps pretty much in the shade..... being a red head who spent some years in Africa, I've already had one skin cancer.... not keen to risk another
I'm very fussy about who nibbles on me, that's for sure.

[ronm]

Contrived?...... probably,  , Similar?......yes , Difficult?...... probably not , but we should have something to muse on over the long Bank Holiday Weekend surely?.... , and Jubilee Celebrations?....

A certain person will be happy I'm sure with the possible naming of this Hybrid.

If we cross,



with



what name could we use?

[Lvandelft]

There are several David(ii) on this forum Ron.    Curious which one you mean??

[ronm]

You're too good, barking!! Luit.

You just need to finish the hybrid name now, 

Next time .....