Friday, 20 August 2010

Now what does that remind you of?

The Cuckoo-pint (Arum maculatum) was originally termed 'Priest pint' but this was deemed rather irreverent and the name changed. 'Pint' of course is a contraction of 'pintle' an archaic word for a penis. The berries are poisonous but the root can be eaten - I'm told it was sold under the name 'portland sago'.

As to the name? With that bright colouring wouldn't 'clown pint' be better?

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