Plants

Hawthorn

Common hawthorn in blossom is a familiar sight along hedgerows, woodlands and scrubs in spring. It was famously known as the May-Tree or may-blossom … Continue

Beech

Introduction The Beech belongs to the same family as the oak and chestnut – Fagaceae. Its species name Fagus sylvatica refers to the tree’s … Continue

Ash

Introduction One of the principal uses of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) has been as a timber tree. The wood is renowned for its strength and … Continue

Wild Angelica

Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris) has often been regarded as the poor man’s substitute for garden angelica (Angelica archangelica). However, the uses of this wild … Continue

Alexanders

Introduction Alexanders has a fascinating past, used as food and medicine since Roman times. Once called “parsley of Alexandria,” people grew this herb in … Continue

Mugwort

Mugwort is one of our commonest weeds, with around 250-300 species in northern Europe, including wormwood, southernwood and the common mugwort. As a group … Continue

Dandelion

Introduction Dandelion grows abundantly in many parks and gardens. This easily recognisable weed was once a cure-all of herbal medicine and is still popular … Continue

Duke of Argyll’s teaplant

The plant was introduced to the British Isles in 1730 and is now considered naturalised. How to use The dried, red fruits are eaten … Continue

Mallow

Common Mallow is an attractive species that has been used throughout history in food and medicine. In traditional folk medicine, common mallow was often … Continue

Lesser burdock

Introduction The common name for burdock that we are familiar with today, the English ‘bur’, originated from the French bourre, meaning ‘woolly’. Grieve attributes the … Continue

Field bindweed

Scientific name Convolvulus arvensis Family Convolvulaceae Photo identification Reliable resources for accurate botanical photo identification of field bindweed. Habitat and distribution Cultivated land, dunes, … Continue