Look out for bush vetch with dull purple irregular flowers. The five petals are unequal, with one standard petal at the top, two narrower wings at the sides and two lower petals joined as a keel. Two to six stalkless flowers occur in clusters. Bumblebees can access the flowers to get nectar. There are five to seven pairs of leaflets on leaves ending in branched tendrils or twisted filaments, with which it clambers up and attaches onto supporting plants. Called peasair fhiáin or wild peas, bush vetch resembles the garden flower sweet pea. A common plant of roadside and hedgerow margins, bush vetch is part of our native Irish biodiversity.

Picture of the week

The joys of being a farmers wife, garden seat used to block a gap, sent in by Eileen Clery.

Letter

Thanks for support of Daffodil Day

Dear Margaret,

On behalf of the Irish Cancer Society, I would like to thank you for your great support this Daffodil Day.

We were delighted to have the backing of the Irish Farmer’s Journal once again for our most important Daffodil Day yet!

We are so appreciative of the coverage you provided us with the piece on Rita McInerney, which has been instrumental in raising awareness of cancer in Ireland, by sharing a variety of emotive stories about how the society helps people affected by cancer, and in turn encouraging the public to donate.

An estimated 44,000 people will receive a cancer diagnosis in Ireland this year. As 97% of our funding comes from donations, without the goodwill and generosity of the Irish people on Daffodil Day, we simply couldn’t fund lifesaving research or provide vital services such as our Night Nurses, Volunteer Drivers, Support Line or Daffodil Centres.

Your support has helped us to amplify our message, to ensure that the Irish Cancer

Society can continue to be there for anyone affected by cancer in Ireland, when they need it most.

Best wishes,

Karina Toolan,

Irish Cancer Society

Number of the week: 7

Tips to stay in the zone for exam season.

Quote of the week

Grief is the price we pay for love and I always say, how privileged we have been to know such love. Our grief is as unique as our fingerprint and this is true for parents also.

Claire Lyons Forde, mental health.