Nipplewort (Lapsana communis)

This is now coming into flower in KWR.

The name is supposed to derive from the fact that the plant was used for cracked and sore nipples, though this seems to be an idea imported by early botanist Parkinson from Prussia.

Apart from this the plant seems largely to have been ignored in UK, though the leaves are eaten in a variety of dishes in Italy.

Badger sighting

At 23:00 last night the grey shape of a badger like a shadowy submarine slid along the path through the Kitchen Window Reserve.  I expect this happens every night: it reminds me of Kipling's line "Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!"  Enjoy in full here:  http://poetry.poetryx.com/poems/1225/