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Manx Wildflower Souvenirs 19 May 2004 Isle of Man visitors are being encouraged to take home a selection of Manx
wildflowers.
Although it's illegal to pick wildflowers from the Island's hedgerows and
meadows, the Wildflowers of Mann project has made 20 varieties available in
packets of seeds.
For the first time visitors can purchase the seeds, priced £1.50 a packet, from
the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in
the Sea Terminal, Douglas.
June Collister, information centre manager, said:
"Selling seeds is a new venture for us but is part of our effort to promote
all things Manx. They have been quite a talking point and make an unusual gift
for both residents and visitors."
The seed packets feature the Manx Gaelic name
for the flowers, as well as explaining the folklore behind the names - for
instance why Sneezewort and Devil's Bit Scabious were so called - plus tips on
how best to grow them.
The range available at the Sea Terminal TIC includes
both of those plus meadow buttercup, bell heather, purple loosestrife, harebell,
ox-eye daisy, wild angelica, sheep's bit, knapweed, field scabious and fairy
flower (red campion). They are also available at the Manx Wildlife Trust
headquarters at Tynwald Mills Craft Centre, St John's.
The Wildflowers of Mann project is a partnership funded by three Isle of Man Government departments - Department of
Tourism and Leisure, Department of Transport and Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry. Proceeds from the sale of the seeds will go to
wildflower conservation on the Island. More stories >>>
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