The Forest Wildlife Spot
This was set up in the Forest Church lower rectory garden in 2008 and was blessed by Rev Linda Le Vasseur. The area was prepared by volunteers with chippings laid on the paths, stepping stones over the stream, a robin bird box and wooden seat placed in the garden. Frog spawn was placed in the small pond and flowering plants and bulbs spread around to give the feel of a wild life garden.
The garden is open to the public at all times. There is a litter bin for rubbish and a bench where one can sit in quiet contemplation. Over time the trees have grown and the ivy spread, brambles need to be cut back and the pond needs to be dug and repaired. If you have time to spare or any expertise in gardening your help will be welcomed, please get in touch.
Below is a guide compiled by Vivienne Rees to some of the many wild flowers that have made their home in our wildlife spot, together with their names in Guernsey French.
COMMON HORSETAIL
Latin: Equisetum arvense
Guernsey French: Coue d’Rat (rat’s tail)
Guernsey French: Coue d’Rat (rat’s tail)
CREEPING BUTTERCUP
Latin: Ranunculus repens
Guernsey French: Pid d’Llaön Lattai
Guernsey French: Pid d’Llaön Lattai
COMMON DOG VIOLET
Latin: Viola riviniana
Guernsey French: Coucou (cuckoo)
Guernsey French: Coucou (cuckoo)
BOREAU’S FUMITORY/WHITE RAMPING FUMITORY
Latin: Fumaria muralis/Fumaria capreolata
Guernsey French: Feumeterre (smoke of the earth)
Guernsey French: Feumeterre (smoke of the earth)
COMMON PENNYCRESS
Latin Thlaspi arvense
Guernsey French: Moutardier (mustard herb)
Guernsey French: Moutardier (mustard herb)
SHEPHERD'S PURSE
Latin: Capsella Bursa-pastoris
Guernsey French: Pid d’Mouisson
Guernsey French: Pid d’Mouisson
LORDS AND LADIES
Latin: Arum maculatum
Guernsey French: Couaille de Prêtre (pulpit)
Guernsey French: Couaille de Prêtre (pulpit)
PRIMROSE
Latin: Primula vulgaris
Guernsey French: Pâquerolle (Easter flower)
Guernsey French: Pâquerolle (Easter flower)
FOXGLOVE
Latin: Digitalis purpurea
Guernsey French: Cllatchets (little bells)
Guernsey French: Cllatchets (little bells)
DANDELION
Latin: Taraxacum
Guernsey French: Plat Laiträon/Hôloges (fruits/clocks)
Guernsey French: Plat Laiträon/Hôloges (fruits/clocks)
HEDGE WOUNDWORT
Latin: Stachys sylvatica
Guernsey French: Ortie puante (stinking)
Guernsey French: Ortie puante (stinking)
SMALL NETTLE
Latin: Urtica urens
Guernsey French: Petite Ortie
Guernsey French: Petite Ortie
STINGING NETTLE
Latin: Urtica dioica
Guernsey French: Grande Ortie
Guernsey French: Grande Ortie
DAISY
Latin: Bellis perennis
Guernsey French: Berbiette
Guernsey French: Berbiette
YARROW
Latin: Achillea Millefolium
Guernsey French: Tcherpentière
Guernsey French: Tcherpentière
FUCHSIA
Latin: Fuchsia magellanica
Guernsey French: Patoreille (earrings, eardrops)
Guernsey French: Patoreille (earrings, eardrops)
LESSER CELANDINE
Latin: Ranunculus L Ficaria
Guernsey French: Píssenllet
Guernsey French: Píssenllet
CAMPION (red & white - pink in Guernsey)
Latin: Silene dioica
Guernsey French: Violette d’Fossai
(hedge violet, soldier’s fleas)
(Research from Leicester University – There are some
white campion growing in shade on NE facing banks.
Guernsey French: Violette d’Fossai
(hedge violet, soldier’s fleas)
(Research from Leicester University – There are some
white campion growing in shade on NE facing banks.
IVY
Latin: Hedera helix
Guernsey French: Yerre
Guernsey French: Yerre
ELDER
Latin: Sambucus nigra
Guernsey French: Seue
(often planted by dairy windows against witchcraft)
Guernsey French: Seue
(often planted by dairy windows against witchcraft)
Note: many plant names in Guernésiais are misleading as they refer to another species altogether which can be similar in colour or habit. E.g. Pissenllet – not a dandelion, but a celandine. Violette d’Fossai – not a violet but a campion, Ortie Puante – not a nettle but a stachys.