Seed pod

Today's the day ......................... for a Sunday stroll

Perfect weather today to go for a walk - so we did.

The air was crisp and cold, the sun was shining - and the snow was exactly where I like it - on the far hills.  We walked from Helsington Church across to Sizergh Castle where there was still plenty of autumn colour in the garden as you can see in the extra.

This is the seed pod of the stinking iris, Iris foetidissima, so called because some people find the smell of its leaves unpleasant when crushed or bruised - an odour described as being 'beefy'.  It is one of two iris species native to Britain, the other being the yellow iris or yellow flag that you find growing around water.  

The pods remain attached to the plant throughout the winter and enclose these wonderful bright orange seeds..........................