There are many reasons I am content to live here in Belgium. Here is a minor one, though possibly a life-saver for some.
If you look at the ground when strolling along the Forest’s margins, you will see youthful signs of life. In The Forager’s Calendar, John Wright notes that the young leaves of sorrel and Lords and Ladies (Oseille et Gouet, Veldzuring en Gevlekte aronskelk) are very similar, both producing green, spear-like leaves. That is not a mistake you want to make. All parts of Lords and Ladies, Arum maculatum, are poisonous.
During some forest-floor gazing this morning, I found both plants growing within a few metres of each other. Confusing them on the margins of the Forêt de Soignes is, however, rather difficult. Our Lords and Ladies have variegated leaves and look nothing like delicious, salad- and omelette-friendly sorrel.
