Salsify

I went up to the allotment this morning leaving DH to do some work; it was grey and blustery and trying to rain so there was hardly anyone around. Mr Fish arrived just as I was leaving and was planting out courgette plants under a cloche. Mine are still timidly sitting on the windowsill in the flat; maybe we'll get them out this week.

In the afternoon we went to a rather odd charity gig in the Edinburgh Masonic Club as our pals Buckleys Chance were playing. They did extremely well considering the drummer didn't turn up....drummers, eh?

The photo is of some self seeded salisfy plants that have come up at the allotment. I only intentionally grew salsify in the first year we had the plot around fifteen years ago, but one or two come up without fail every year. I thought the crop (the root) was a waste of space. From Wikipedia: Tragopogon porrifolius; the root is described as having the taste of oysters (hence the alternative common name "oyster plant" for some species in this genus), but more insipid with a touch of sweetness. The roots are a b*gger to peel and come to think of it I don't even like oysters, let alone a root that tastes 'more insipid'! The flowers are pretty, though.

Oh, I've only just noticed that the Langport Wren flower is visible in the top left hand corner. It's a little dark iris with a faint but delicious scent.