Today I bring you the key to heaven. In Swedish this orchid is called “Sankt Pers Nycklar” that translates to Saint Peters Keys. According to the folklore Saint Peter is the gatekeeper to heaven, sorting the souls to be let in or sent away. A bit like the sorting hat in the Harry Potter books.

The English name is Early-purple Orchid (orchis mascula) and it can be 50 to 60 centimetres high. Not so common on the west coast of Sweden. I was lucky that my father-in-law pointed it out to me before the roe-deer ate them. You can find it all over Europe, north Africa and the Middle East. Ha de Gött!

Herb-paris or true lover’s knot (Paris quadrifolia). In Swedish it’s called “Ormbär” that would in straight translation be “snakeberry”. Snakeberry that would be a cool stage name for a punk-rock band singer! Or better yet a drummer. He could bang away at his herbals.

Now I think this post gone to the woods, better stop. Ha de Gött!