Grey and Alive. Andrena vaga, Grey Mining Bee, on Water Dropwort, Oenanthe crocata, Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ancient History has it that on Phoenician Sardinia the elderly - presumably grey-haired - and criminals were put to death by forcing them to drink an infusion of the carrot-shaped roots of Oenanthe crocata, this wine-aromatic herb with the pretty small red-stamened flowers. That infusion brings on muscle spasms often in the form of a horrible smile, the so-called Sardonic Grin.
Insects such as this Grey Mining Bee - I think 'vaga' - and many others have no problems with this Dropwort...
Grey and Alive. Andrena vaga, Grey Mining Bee, on Water Dropwort, Oenanthe crocata, Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ancient History has it that on Phoenician Sardinia the elderly - presumably grey-haired - and criminals were put to death by forcing them to drink an infusion of the carrot-shaped roots of Oenanthe crocata, this wine-aromatic herb with the pretty small red-stamened flowers. That infusion brings on muscle spasms often in the form of a horrible smile, the so-called Sardonic Grin.
Insects such as this Grey Mining Bee - I think 'vaga' - and many others have no problems with this Dropwort...