One of the few surviving green patches on the reclaimed marshland that makes up the riverside area around the Rhond and Riverside Road in Hoveton has yielded its bright scarlet rose hips. Rambling field roses flourish in what must be a very old hedgerow bordering the riverside centre carpark. A dyke once ran along the north western side of the hedge. This connected with the arterial dyke which joins up with Daisy Broad and the River Bure where Riverside Tea Room and Coffee Shop now stands.
The vegetation is a major refuge for all manner of wildlife. Historically these green screens also acted as wind breaks ~ and of course kept grazing cattle from wandering off. The beasts spent summer grazing on the rhonds (local term for grassed Island banks between watercourses) before the boat yards developed.
The pretty soft cream petals of the field rose (Rosa arvensis) have wilted leaving red oval fruit full of seeds. Packed with vitamin c, the rose hips are used in medicine to ease joint pain and help boost the immune system.
Andrew, Chris
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