Wild Flowers Of Strathclyde Park
  
 

Dog's Mercury
Mercurialis perennis
of the Spurge family
a perennial
15-40 cm high
blooms February - April
likes shaded places such as woodlands and hedgerows
can be seen by the mouth of the Calder

    
This fairly common plant is very poisonous to both humans and animals. Its name derives from its worthlessness to the people of the past - the term "Dog" indicates this. The name "Mercury" is thought to be after the Roman messenger of the Gods who it was believed discovered the plant. The small flowers attract midges which then play their part in pollination.
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