Violet carpenter bee The Violet carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea) is a large solitary bee of the Apidae family. It is up to 3-4 centimeters long and its body is entirely black and hairy, with electric blue highlights on the wings. Its flight is fast and noisy . Carpenter bees do not form colonies but prefer to live alone. Females dig tunnels in soft or rotten wood to build their nests, even in the roof beams of houses. For this characteristic they are called "carpenter". They are found in gardens, meadows and flowering bushes, even on the edge of woods. Both [...]

Yarrow Soldier's weed Yarrow (scientific name Achillea millefolium) is a plant of the Asteraceae family. It is common in meadows along roadsides and in hay meadows. It has a stiff and slender stem that can reach 30-50 cm. The name "millefolium" refers to the leaves repeatedly divided into narrow and very numerous lobes . Its inflorescences are very large and are a blast for the insects who pass from one flower to another without any effort, carrying the pollen grains unaware. Did you know? The legendary Greek hero Achilles would have used this plant to heal his wounds, following the [...]

Wild chicoryFrom chicory to... coffee! Wild chicory, also known as radicchio, is a perennial herbaceous plant (scientific name Cichorium intybus). It belongs to the large Composite family.For at least three centuries, throughout Europe the leaves of this plant were considered valuable as vegetables and forage. The coffee obtained from chicory roots is also known as "Coffee of Prussia": it owes its name to Frederick II of Prussia who favored its production in the 18th century.Wild chicory has a very long flowering season, even lasting until late autumn when most of the summer flowers have faded.The flowers, of a beautiful light blue [...]

White willowA plant rich in medicinal virtues The white willow (Salix alba, family Salicaceae) is a large, fast-growing tree,it reaches a height of 6 to 25 meters and the trunk can have a diameter of 1 meter. It is a plant that needs moist, muddy or sandy soil, and can also remain submerged in water from time to time. It is in fact one of the most common trees along the banks of waterways.If moved by the wind, the mane of the white willow stands out for the silver reflection of its leaves.Bloom takes place in early spring, between March and [...]