Hi Dan

Oh thank you for this! It’s massively helpful when people give me information and correct my mistakes. I really appreciate it. And I had no idea that Sheep’s bit wasnt a scabious. I should have know by it being nowhere near the other ones in my botany reference books, but totally missed that. Thanks, Ill fix it now. And thanks too for being nice about my work, and taking the time to leave your comment. x

I love your fantastic illustrations and I am using them to try to revise my wildflower knowledge and id skills this spring by looking at plant families. So I hope you don’t mind a technical comment which is intended to be helpful, rather than just pedantic. But sheep’s bit is not closely related to ‘other’ scabiouses, which are related to teasel, but it is in fact in the Campanulaceae (at least according to Wikipedia) which I find an amazing bit of convergent evolution!

Claire, thank you so much. What lovely feedback.

Hi Beth
I love this comment, it is such a snapshot in time! I know exactly what you mean. I guess we’re very lucky to be able to take solace in beautiful things – I often just go and stare at a tiny patch of grasses and weeds if things get me down. Just the beauty and complexity of something as simple as the parallel lines on a blade of grass helps put everything in perspective, and brings back an excitement and a joy. I’m flattered and pleased to, in some small way, help serve the safe function for you. I hope you get some of that stillness when you paint, too. Hours pass and you’re oblivious. I think they call it “mindfulness” now, being lost in the moment. But I find paitning really takes me to that space, and is deeply refreshing.

All the best, and fingers crossed with the latest developments, these strange times may be coming to an end at some point in 2021. And your talkative friend may be more cheerful again!

Yours
Lizzie

Cheers, Ginie!

Hi Dermot,

Ah the joys of scurvy grass, not to mention bindweeds! I think there’s one or two species of scurvy grass you can tell apart just by what habitat it’s growing in. Collins’ flower guide by David Streeter always a good resource, and of course if you’re going to be super-technical, then it’s got to be Stace’s Flora. V jealous of you over there – I’m yet to visit but would love to, it sounds beautiful.