Cuckoo Flower

The subject of this photo is Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis), also known as Lady's Smock. This flower likes damp areas of grassland and woodland, or even the edges of ponds; although common throughout the UK it has seen some reduction in range due to drainage of wetlands (see naturescalendar.org.uk). This plant should become obvious soon as it starts flowering in April, showing four pale, pink (or sometimes white) petals that are slightly cupped. The Cuckoo Flower is an important foodplant for the Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines - spot the link between the two in their scientific name!).

It was believed these flowers were sacred to fairies, and therefore it was unlucky to bring them indoors or include them in May Day garlands (nature's calendar, wikipedia).