Do you know which plant was used as a remedy for piles, to treat wounds of injured soldiers, prevent sore feet or even foretell who a young maiden should marry.

The longer warmer days of spring has brought a burst of colour to Wicken Fen as spring flowers come into bloom all over the fen. Besides their beautiful flowers many plants have important medicinal uses or were even used to help a maiden choose a husband.

The Water Figwort was used to cure piles, whilst the Marsh Woundwort contains a powerful blood clotting agent to help heal wounds. Roman soldiers were said to place the leaves of the Silverweed or 'Travellers Joy' as it's sometimes called in their boots to prevent sore feet on long marches. While young maidens were said to name Ragged Robin plants after local boys, with the one that flowered first being the man they should marry.

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Senior Reserve Warden, James Selby and his team are keeping a close eye on the fen placing discreet notice boards around Sedge Fen to help visitors identify and learn about the various species as they come into flower.

Fenland plant expert, Pete Stroh of Anglia Ruskin University will also be leading a Wildflower Walk on Sunday 20 June at 2pm to explore hidden parts of the fen in search of rare fenland species such as the Fen Violet and Marsh Pea.

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Notes to Editors
1. Pete Stroh's Wildflower Walk starts at 2pm on Sunday 20 June. Tickets £6.50 adults £3.25 child are available from the Wicken Fen Visitor Centre on 01353 720274. Wellies are highly recommended.
2. Wicken Fen was purchased by the National Trust in 1899, the first Nature Reserve owned by the Trust. It is widely recorded as the most species rich nature reserve in the country with over 8200 recorded species.
3. The National Trust is Europe's biggest conservation charity and looks after special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for ever, for everyone. People and places are at the heart of everything it does. 3.5 million members, 50,000 volunteers, 500,000 school children, and millions of visitors, donors and supporters help the Trust look after its 300 historic houses and gardens, 700 miles of coastline and 250,000 hectares of open countryside. www.nationaltrust.org.uk .