Plants

Hemlock

Your lungs stop working whilst your mind stays clear. Hemlock doesn’t kill you like arsenic or cyanide. There’s no dramatic collapse, no frothing at … Continue

Arrowhead

Let’s talk about arrowhead, Sagittaria sagittifolia (pics). Native to these Isles. Member of the Alismataceae family. You’ve probably never heard of it. Most of … Continue

Judas Tree

The Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum) is a member of the Fabaceae family. Naturalised in Britain since at least the sixteenth century, carries with it … Continue

Marshmallow

In the 9th century, Emperor Charlemagne ordered marshmallow cultivated in his monastery gardens. The confection we know today, made from starch, sugar, and gelatin, … Continue

Douglas fir

I walk through dense oak woods, prolific with acorns. The sound of them tumbling through trees is rhythmic as rain, echoing the season’s bounty. … Continue

Peach-leaved bellflower

Common name Peach-leaved Bellflower Scientific name Campanula persicifolia Family Campanulaceae (Bellflower family) Botanical description A perennial that grows up to 90 cm, spreading slowly … Continue

Alexanders

Contents — Introduction— Description— Habitat and distribution— Introduction Alexanders has a fascinating past, used as food and medicine since Roman times. Once called “parsley … Continue

Traveller’s-joy, Old Man’s Beard

Traveller’s-joy, Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba) is a climbing plant. It adorns hedgerows and shrubs across Europe. Many admire its white flowers and feathery … Continue

Japanese Cherry

Common name Sakura cherry, Japanese cherry, Ornamental cherry Scientific name Prunus serrulata Lindl. Family Rosaceae Botanical description Sakura cherry is a deciduous tree that … Continue

Camellia

Common name Common camellia, Japanese camellia, tsubaki Scientific name Camellia japonica L. Family Theaceae Botanical description Camellia japonica is an evergreen shrub or small … Continue

Sweet Flag

Acorus calamus, commonly known as Sweet flag is a plant typically found in marginal water areas, wetlands, alongside ponds, and in marshy areas. It … Continue

Common amaranth

Introduction Amaranthus retroflexus, known as common amaranth, is in the Amaranthaceae family. There are numerous species of amaranth in the British Isles. The BSBI … Continue

Japanese Pagoda Tree

The Japanese Pagoda Tree (Styphnolobium japonicum) is grown as an ornamental in the United Kingdom. Most people grow this tree for its flowers. White cascades … Continue

Scots Pine

Despite its common name, writes Peter Wyse Jackson, Scots Pine is not only found in its native Scotland but across northern Europe and as … Continue