Pavement Delight. Sisymbrium officinale, Hedge Mustard, Mr Visserplein, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The area around the Mr Visserplein is one of the most air-polluted zones of Amsterdam. Moreover, once you cross the Valkenburgerstraat towards the Plantage - which is green again - there's an unbroken grayish concrete wall of buildings and pavement across from the Portuguese Synagogue...
But even here nature forces her way through cracks and fissures. If you've an eye for them there are many hardy plants that have found light for example between the horizontal pavement and the vertical walls. One of them is this delightful Sisymbrium officinale, Hedge Mustard.
Down through the ages it's been used for various ailments, most notably in an infusion against throat ache. Hence this Sisymbrium is also known as Singer's Plant. Perhaps I should try it sometime to thwart the scratchy throat caused by exhaust fumes.
Pavement Delight. Sisymbrium officinale, Hedge Mustard, Mr Visserplein, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The area around the Mr Visserplein is one of the most air-polluted zones of Amsterdam. Moreover, once you cross the Valkenburgerstraat towards the Plantage - which is green again - there's an unbroken grayish concrete wall of buildings and pavement across from the Portuguese Synagogue...
But even here nature forces her way through cracks and fissures. If you've an eye for them there are many hardy plants that have found light for example between the horizontal pavement and the vertical walls. One of them is this delightful Sisymbrium officinale, Hedge Mustard.
Down through the ages it's been used for various ailments, most notably in an infusion against throat ache. Hence this Sisymbrium is also known as Singer's Plant. Perhaps I should try it sometime to thwart the scratchy throat caused by exhaust fumes.