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Umbel Scurrying. Black Garden Ant, Lasius niger, on Smyrnium olusatrum, Alexanders, Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

It's the time for Alexanders' Soup, that delicious herbal first course for a nice meal during Lent. The derivation of the English name 'Alexanders' is unclear. Various Latin names for Smyrnium sorts also include the specifics 'Macedonia' and 'Alexandria in Egypt', both associated, of course, with Alexander the Great. I suppose our humble Black Garden Ants have no idea as they're scurrying on those pretty umbels.

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Uploaded on March 28, 2025
Taken on March 28, 2025