Smoke gets in your eyes

Fumitory. It sounds  like a smoking den: Why don't we go up to my fumitory old boy, before we join the ladies? I've got some ripping new Havana cigars!


But it's actually the name of this easily-overlooked little plant (some would say weed) that rarely features in the roll call of spring flowers even though it makes its appearance early to take advantage of bare ground. It doesn't stand competition from sturdier rivals having a weak sprawling sort of growth with flimsy stems, tiny leaves and flowers that look like a jumble of little pink tubes each tipped with crimson.

Why fumitory? It's named  from the Latin Fumus terrae meaning smoke of the earth. But again, why? Suggestions abound: it was thought to be produced by vapours emanating from the ground, or, its light colour gives an impression of a low-lying haze, or, because the roots smell of smoke, or, because burning it will expel evil spirits from your dwelling, or, according to Pliny, because the juice of the plant brings on such a flow of tears that the sight becomes dim as with smoke - hence its former use for afflictions of the eye (as well as for cradle cap and freckles!)

So, take your pick.  Alternatively you might wish to consider my own suggestion. Here, as at my previous place of residence, fumitory grows on the site of last autumn's bonfires. A sodden heap of wood ash does not attract many plants but fumitory is one that is happy to straggle across the vacant patch and mimic the smoky wisps that rose from the embers long after the flames had abated.

Shakepeare  disparages the plant as an unwelcome  field weed  ("rank fumiter") but the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins was clearly fond of it  

And down … the furrow dry
Sunspurge and oxeye
And laced-leaved lovely
Foam-tuft fumitory

(The extra is a close relative, white ramping fumitory.)