Cushag: Controversial in Many Ways

It's Tynwald Day, the National Day of the Isle of Man! Across the Island, celebrations are taking place and people are enjoying the Bank Holiday. Many people wear bollan bane (mugwort) as part of the celebrations but I thought I'd take a look at what I used to think was the official flower of the Isle of Man, but have since come to find never officially gained that title. Cushag (Senecio jacobaea), is commonly known as ragwort by those not on the Island and apparently gained the unofficial Manx National Flower title in a rather odd way. It's also a plant that, although providing many benefits, has a more sinister side. Here, I'll explore both the benefits and dangers of cushag and how it came to be regarded by many as the national flower of the Isle of Man.

Cushag, flowering just in time for Tynwald Day.

Benefits of Cushag

Cushag is an important part of the ecosystem and provides a food source for many insects, including bees and the cinnabar moth. The deep roots of cushag also help to break up compacted soil, enhancing soil structure and promoting aeration. The plant often thrives in nutrient-poor soils and its presence can signal soil health issues, prompting land managers to take necessary actions to improve soil conditions, thereby benefiting other plant species.

Dangers of Cushag

Cushag can be poisonous to livestock, particularly horses and cattle. A particular problem is if cushag gets cut and dried into hay that's then fed to livestock. Cushag contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause severe liver damage and death if these plants are ingested. For humans, direct contact with the plant can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in those sensitive to the chemicals. Another issue with this plant is that it can spread quickly and outcompete native vegetation, leading to reduced plant diversity. Cushag is therefore disliked by many and can cause considerable upset and financial losses to farmers and those who own horses.

The National Flower

On researching cushag, I came across a document called 'The Cushag Code: A code of best practice for the management of common ragwort Senecio jacobaea'. It gives guidance and sets out the legal position regarding the control of this plant on the Isle of Man and also a little background to its status as the Manx National Flower. It also states:

"Its history as the unofficial emblem of the Isle of Man is reputed to have been bestowed by Lord Raglan, Governor of the Island from 1902-1918. When asked to pick a national flower for the Island, as was the fashion in other places at the time, in jest and perhaps as a slight on his perceived state of the countryside at the time, he suggested that cushag would be a fitting species. The joke appears to have been lost over the last century, but the myth of cushag as a national flower remains."

This account actually makes some sense when you think about what an odd choice cushag is as a national emblem, given the other possible contenders such as fuchsia and bollan bane. Bollan bane is traditionally worn on Tynwald Day and is thought to have protective properties from evil spirits, while fuchsia plants are extremely beautiful and hold a special place in the hearts of many who live on the Island. Cushag is also believed by some to have a special association with the fairies and the legendary King Orry has been said to have chosen the cushag flower as his emblem, so perhaps there's a good reason to have cushag as the national flower after all.

Evidently, the plant does have its supporters, because of its history and ecological benefits, and perhaps an approach that balances both control, awareness of dangers and appreciation of benefits is the right view to take of the flower. The poem "The Cushag" by Josephine ‘Cushag’ Kermode (1852–1937), featured at the start of the 'Cushag Code', seems to sum up the position well:

The Cushag

Now, the Cushag, we know,

Must never grow,

Where the farmer's work is done.

But along the rills, In the heart of the hills,

The Cushag may shine like the sun.

Where the golden flowers,

Have fairy powers,

To gladden our hearts with their grace.

And in Vannin Veg Veen,

In the valleys green,

The Cushags have still a place.

by Josephine ‘Cushag’ Kermode

Cushag may still have a place in the countryside, but I think it would be great to have an 'official' national flower. I'd love to know what you think a contender should be. Let me know in comments below or by adding a comment to the social media posts. Fuchsia is a definite contender for Manx National Flower, but it seems a little foreign, coming originally from Central or South America. Bollan bane seems a sensible choice but isn't as aesthetically pleasing (sorry bollan bane, but fuchsia is pretty stunning!). There must be other strong rivals that I haven't thought of, so please let me know your thoughts.

Happy Tynwald Day!

Emma