librarian2003 (librarian2003) wrote in weagardening, @ 2009-11-30 20:05:00 |
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Current mood: | pleased |
Wild flowers
Here's a catch-up for the rest of the wildflowers we've seen this term:
Wild flowers
Here are my rough notes about these flowers:
Wild flowers - purple
Plants thought to be native
Armeria maritima Thrift Plumbaginaceae
Found along the coast.
Atropa belladonna Deadly nightshade Solanaceae
Atropa belladonna is a plant of the shade or woodland and is fairly common in South and Central England but uncommon elsewhere in England. After flowering it produces a large black berry which is poisonous: as few as three can poison a child and it has a sweetish taste. All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans particularly the roots although some animals like rabbits can eat the leaves with no ill effects. It contains various alkaloids including atropine which can be used medicinally.
Belladonna comes from the Italian meaning "beautiful lady" Society ladies would at one time put drops into their eyes to dilate the pupils making them more attractive. Solutions in small concentration are still used by opticians to dilate pupils.
Calluna vulgaris Heather Ericaceae
This acid-loving heather is one of the commonest plants in the British Isles with stronger concentrations of the plant the further north you travel. There are only a few places around Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and the east Midlands where it doesn't grow.
Campanula patula Spreading bellflower Campanulaceae
Campanula trachelium Nettle-leaved bellflower Campanulaceae
Its common name used to be Throatwort as the corolla is supposed to resemble a throat. So the plant was use to make a gargle to cure sore throats. In the 16th and 17th century it was known as Canterbury Bells rather than C. medium.
Cirsium arvense Creeping thistle Asteraceae
Also Field thistle. This is surely the commonest thistle. It grows in fields, in gardens, on drives and on wasteland. In summer it attracts insects, particularly butterflies such as tortoiseshells. It is even mentioned in an Act of Parliament. The Weeds Act of 1959 forbids it to exist in the UK but it takes no notice. The systematic name is confusing because arvense usually means "Field" while repens is used to denote a plant which creeps.
Cirsium palustre Marsh thistle Asteraceae
The flowers are usually purplish like most thistles but can be white.
Cirsium vulgare Spear thistle Asteraceae
This is probably the thistle which inspired the Scottish emblem but in England it's another illegal weed which grows almost anywhere. It is a great plant for insects and after it has flowered it isn't uncommon to see goldfinches eating the seed.
Colchicum autumnale Meadow saffron Colchicaceae
Flowers in the Autumn when the leaves have long since died off. The flower is borne on a long delicate white stalk which falls over if you look at it too harshly. The fruit ripens in spring when the leaves are present. Although known as Meadow Saffron it grows in woods too - usually on neutral or basic soils. It is poisonous in all its parts.
Erica cinerea Bell heather Ericaceae
This is the most spectacular of the three common UK heathers. It is earlier flowering than the other two - you can see some flowers in mid Spring.
Erica tetralix Cross-leaved heath Ericaceae
This plant tends to grow in the boggier areas of heathland or acid upland
Gentianella anglica Early gentian Gentianaceae
This rare endemic Gentian can sometimes flower as early as April.
Gentianella campestris Field gentian Gentianaceae
Geranium sylvaticum Wood crane’s-bill Geraniaceae
Knautia arvensis Field scabious Dispsacaceae
This is a superb roadside plant, usually quite free flowering with, unusually for British plants, a large flower head quite suitable for a garden. It grows on neutral or basic soils most often but you can see it almost anywhere on untouched roadside verges in Great Britain. The flowers are attractive to a wide variety of insects
Mentha aquatica Water mint Lamiaceae
expect to find this plant at the sides of slow streams, in ditches, boggy areas and dune slacks. The leaves have a strong smell and if you walk through a wet area with water mint growing, the crushed leaves soon send up a delicious minty fragrance. The plant repels flies, rats and mice.
Mentha arvensis Corn mint Lamiaceae
Plantago major Greater plantain Plantaginaceae
Another very successful summer weed which grows in on paths and even pavements. The leaves are capable of lying flat to the ground so lawn mowers pass straight over them and even walking on them doesn't seem to put these tough plants off in the slightest. The long flowers often seem to have no reproductive parts at first sight but closer examination should reveal at least some anthers like those in the photo.
Plantago media Hoary plantain Plantaginaceae
This is a very attractive little plant of the meadow and unimproved grassland. And my lawn.
Prunella vulgaris Selfheal Lamiaceae
This is a very common wayside and meadow plant and in my garden at least it is also a persistent and successful lawn weed. Nearly always blue it can be occasionally white and rarely pink. In the old days it was also known as Carpenter's Herb as they used it to treat cuts and abrasions. The styptic properties of Prunella vulgaris cause blood vessels to contract, stopping bleeding from a wound and so promoting self healing.
Pulsatilla vulgaris Pasqueflower Ranunculaceae
A plant of well-drained chalk
Scabiosa columbaria Dove scabious Dipsacaceae
Also Small scabious. Has an unusually long flowering period.
Scutellaria minor Lesser skullcap Lamiaceae
Once used medicinally: a herb for the treatment of anxiety or mild depression, this plant is found in wet places like heaths, or in some types of woodland but usually on acid soil.
Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet Solanaceae
Also Woody nightshade. This is a very pretty plant in all stages. The scrambling habit of S. dulcamara allows the flower to hang down gracefully in bunches and then the shiny green fruits eventually turn red and look delicious. This is a shame because it is very poisonous like many members of the Solanum family. It is often incorrectly known as Deadly Nightshade by non-botanists.
Symphitum officinale Common comfrey Boraginaceae
Often has pale creamy flowers. Commonly used in herbal medicine. Can be cut and used as an instant compost, laid in the bottom of potato or bean trenches, or as a mulch on the surface. Makes an effective liquid feed, and a gum obtained from the roots was used in the treatment of wool before spinning.
Vicia cracca Tufted vetch Fabaceae
This plant is a very efficient climber and will scramble up living plants including nearby grasses as well as inanimate objects to get into the light. It is a plant of high summer.
Vicia sepium Bush vetch Fabaceae
Viola odorata Sweet violet Violaceae
It can be white, purple or mauve or pinkish but all have the distinctive roundish leaves and blunt sepals which distinguish it from other common violets. It grows mostly on basic or neutral soils. A pigment extracted from the flowers is used as a litmus to test for acids and alkalines.
Plants thought to have been introduced before 1500
Anchusa arvensis Bugloss Boraginaceae
The name bugloss derives probably from the Greek for ox: bous and tongue: glossa so that the combination buglosse in old English referred to the leaves which are like the tongue of an ox supposedly. The French still refer to this plant as Langue de Boeuf, which translates to Ox tongue in English.
Verbena officinalis Vervain Verbenaceae
This plant was supposed to have magical properties in medieval times and was used as a potion against various diseases but also for keeping witches away: "Vervain and Dill hinders witches from their will".
Plants thought to be introduced after 1500
Campanula persicifolia Peach-leaved bellflower Campanulaceae
This European introduction is a favourite of old English gardens and has now escaped successfully into the wild. It comes in white, as well.
Campanula rapunculoides Creeping bellflower Campanulaceae
This European introduction was grown in gardens and then successfully escaped into the wild where it can be persistent.
Crocus vernus Spring crocus Iridaceae
C. vernus is an introduction from southern Europe which readily naturalises in the countryside.
Datura stramonium Thorn apple Solanaceae
This American introduction is found scattered all over England and Wales with the heaviest concentration of records in the south of England. It is supposedly a bird-seed alien, or arrived via wool or soybean. It has a long history of herbal use, but is highly toxic. The growing plant is said to protect neighbouring plants from insects. The juice of the fruits is applied to the scalp to cure dandruff and falling hair.
Dipsacus sativus Fuller’s teasel Dipsacaceae
The Fullers Teasel is a close relative of the native teasel plant, and has backward pointing bracts and so was once used to raise the nap of newly woven cloth. Fields of D. sativa were grown for use by clothiers.
Lunaria annua Honesty Brassicaceae
This was a garden plant introduced from southern Europe but it has successfully escaped and you can expect to find it dotted here and there on our country lane verges in Spring. Actually a biennial.
Pulmonaria officinalis Lungwort Boraginaceae
This plant was very commonly grown in gardens and has successfully escaped into the wild over the years. It isn't uncommon to see the spotted leaves and different coloured flowers of this plant a long way from the nearest garden very early in Spring. The name lungwort derives from the sympathetic medicine approach of old as the leaves look like ulcerated lung tissue hence it could be used as a cure for such ailments. It has other common names like Joseph and Mary, Soldiers and Sailors - all the type of name indicating a plant the flowers of which change colour.
Thalictrum aquilegiifolium French Meadow Rue Ranunculaceae
Plants of uncertain status
Dipsacus fullonum Wild teasel Dipsacaceae
Probably native. Very attractive to goldfinches.
Lunaria rediviva Perennial honesty Brassicaceae
Probably an introduction
Mentha longifolia Horse mint Lamiaceae
Probably an introduction
Prunella grandiflora Large-flowered self heal Lamiaceae
Probably an introduction
Plants as relics of cultivation
Crocus sativus Saffron crocus Iridaceae
The flower styles produce saffron. Yields per plant are extremely low, about 4000 stigmas yield 25g of saffron. Saffron is the world's most expensive spice, it takes 150,000 flowers and 400 hours work to produce 1 kilo of dried saffron. About 25 kilos of styles can be harvested from a hectare of the plant.
Red or pink wildflowers
Plants thought to be native
Allium vineale Crow garlic Alliaceae
This plant often appears as a reddish head of bulbils with few or no flowers to be seen.
Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Primulaceae
This is a weed of the arable fields and waste places but enjoys life in any sandy area. You often find it at the seaside where white and blue forms can sometimes be found
Arctium minus Lesser burdock Asteraceae
These buds will stick to anyone with natural fibred clothing and are used in various ceremonies such as that in South Queensferry, Midlothian, Scotland. The "Burry" man picks the sticky buds and covers himself from head to toe in them. He then walks around the town in the company of attendants receiving a drink from all the pubs. The ceremony is very old and possibly of Pagan origin but no-one really knows what its significance is.
Butomus umbellatus Flowering rush Butomaceae
Carduus nutans Musk thistle Asteraceae
Also Nodding thistle. A very spiny thistle with nodding heads
Centaurea scabiosa Greater knapweed Asteraceae
The large flowerheads with distinctive ray florets make it attractive enough to be used as a cottage garden plant. Like other knapweeds it attracts insects.
Centaurium erythraea Centaury Gentianaceae
Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay willowherb Onagraceae
Its other common name is Fireweed after its ability to grow on bomb sites after the last war.
Cirsium acaule Dwarf thistle Asteraceae
Also called Picnic thistle
Clinopodium ascendens Common calamint Lamiaceae
Dianthus deltoides Maiden pink Caryophyllaceae
Dianthus gratianopolitanus Cheddar pink Caryophyllaceae
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Scrophulariaceae
Of all the common hedgerow weeds this must be one of the most spectacular. If this was a rare plant, botanists would flock to take its picture.
Epilobium hirsutum Great willowherb Onagraceae
Also known as Codlins and Cream you can't really mistake it for another Willowherb.
Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved willowherb Onagraceae
Probably the commonest of our willowherbs is this one. It will grow on verges, in pavement cracks, on waste ground and particularly likes your garden rockery.
Epilobium roseum Pale willowherb Onagraceae
Erodium cicutarium Common Stork’s-bill Geraniaceae
Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp agrimony Asteraceae
This fairly common plant of the late summer was once used as a herbal remeby for coughs, colds and for obstructions of the urine.
Fumaria muralis Common ramping-fumitory Papaveraceae
Galeopsis tetrahit Common hemp-nettle Lamiaceae
This is a late flowering member of the nettle family which grows on waysides and verges and quite often in the deep shade. It is very variable in height but can easily reach 1 m. The flowers vary hugely in colour and marking but the pink ones remind you a little of Lamium hybridum (Cut-leaved Dead-nettle) or Lamium amplexicaule (Henbit Dead-nettle) which usually flower in Spring.
Gentianella amarella Autumn gentian Gentianaceae
Like most Gentians it needs sunshine to open fully.
Geranium molle Dove’s-foot crane’s-bill Geraniaceae
Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Geraniaceae
Geranium sanguineum Bloody-Crane’s-bill Geraniaceae
Plentiful in the limestone country of the White Peak
Geum rivale Water avens Rosaceae
Lathyrus linifolius Bitter vetch Fabaceae
In the Hebrides and Northern Scotland the roots of Bitter Vetch were once used as a vegetable and were eaten raw.
Lathyrus sylvestris Narrow-leaved everlasting pea Fabaceae
Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin Caryophyllaceae
Lychnis viscaria Sticky catchfly Caryophyllaceae
Lythrum salicaria Purple-loosestrife Lythraceae
Malva moschata Musk mallow Malvaceae
Origanum vulgare Wild marjoram Lamiaceae
Another plant that’s plentiful in the White Peak.
Pedicularis palustris Marsh lousewort Orobanchaceae
A hemiparasite on grasses and sedges. Once used against animal lice.
Pedicularis sylvatica Lousewort Orobanchaceae
A hemiparasite on grasses and sedges. Once used against animal lice.
Persicaria bistorta Bistort Polygonaceae
The "bistort" from the Latin: bistorta refers to the twisted snake-like shape of the rhizome (underground stem) of this plant. Naturally, using the principles of sympathetic magic, it was used as a cure for snake bite in the old days.
Persicaria lapathifolia Pale persicaria Polygonaceae
Persicaria maculosa Redshank Polygonaceae
Petasites hybridus Butterbur Asteraceae
Polygonum aviculare Knotgrass Polygonaceae
Potentilla palustris Marsh cinquefoil Rosaceae
Primula farinosa Birdseye primrose Primulaceae
Only grows on limestone areas on northern England
Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Polygonaceae
With a high vitamin C content and a lemony taste, can be used in salads, but large quantities are harmful
Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel Polygonaceae
As for common sorrel
Sanguisorba minor Salad burnet Rosaceae
As the name suggests this plant was used in salads at one time as well as being used as a styptic in dressing wounds.
Sanguisorba officinalis Great burnet Rosaceae
Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Lamiaceae
Early botanists though the shape of the flower reminded them of the leather skullcap (galerum) worn by Roman soldiers hence the species name galericulata.
Sedum anglicum English stonecrop Crassulaceae
Sedum telephium Orpine Crassulaceae
Serratula tinctoria Saw-wort Asteraceae
The "Saw" of Saw-wort refers to the serrated edges to the narrow leaves of this plant and "tinctoria" to the fact that mixed with alum (the commonest mordant) it made an excellent green-yellow dye.
Silene dioica Red campion Caryophyllaceae
Stachys officinalis Betony Lamiaceae
Betony was regarded as a powerful herb by the ancients and capable of curing forty seven diseases. It was even regarded as being good for one's soul as well as body. Whether disease, poison, wicked spirits or witchcraft struck at you Betony was the cure. It was even a cure for elf-sickness,
Stachys palustris Marsh woundwort Lamiaceae
Stachys sylvatica Hedge woundwort Lamiaceae
Strongly aromatic
Symphytum officinale Common comfrey Boraginaceae
Also Knitbone.
Thymus serpyllum Thyme Lamiaceae
Trifolium medium Zigzag clover Fabaceae
Trifolium pratense Red clover Fabaceae
Valeriana officinalis Valerian Valerianaceae
The source of valium
Plants thought to have been introduced before 1500
Agrostemma githago Corn cockle Caryophyllaceae
Arctium lappa Greater burdock Asteraceae
Ballota nigra Black horehound Lamiaceae
The odd English name has nothing to do with dogs or hounds. The Old English name for this plant was Hune while hoariness was denoted by har = har hune which has become horehound.
Fumaria officinalis Common fumitory Papveraceae
It grows typically as a weed on allotments and in waste places. As suggested by the species name officinalis, this plant was used for medicinal purposes and has been known since Roman times. In small quantities it was thought to help the skin, the liver and even the eyes but it is poisonous and a sedative and so had to be used carefully.
Lamium amplexicaule Henbit dead-nettle Lamiaceae
Lamium purpureum Red dead-nettle Lamiaceae
You can find it at any time of year but from mid Autumn to early Spring it is at its best.
Malva neglecta Dwarf Mallow Malvaceae
Malva sylvestris Common mallow Malvaceae
The size of the plant varies from just a foot tall to a huge bush.
Plants thought to be introduced after 1500
Lamium maculatum Spotted dead-nettle Lamiaceae
This is a garden escape. The variegated leaves are the diagnostic.
Lilium martagon Martagon lily Liliaceae
It is a plant of the woods and likes deep shade.
Malva alcea Greater musk mallow Malvaceae
Teucrium chamaedrys Wall germander Lamiaceae
Plants of uncertain status
Adonis aestivalis Pheasant’s-eye Ranunculaceae
Onobrychis viciifolia Sainfoin Fabaceae
The scientific name is of Greek origin and means ‘donkey food’. It makes a protein rich fodder plant.
Plants thought to be native
Achillea millefolium Yarrow Compositae
The flowers are usually white but can be pink (var. rosea).
Achillea ptarmica Sneezewort Compositae
One of the early botanists John Gerard who wrote a famous botanical text Herball in 1597, reckoned that smelling this plant made him sneeze but its main use was as a cure for toothache. Eating the peppery roots would cause an increase in salivation.
Actaea spicata Herb Christopher Ranunculaceae
Alliaria petiolata Hedge garlic Cruciferae
Garlic Mustard, Jack-by-the-Hedge. When it is about to flower the orange tip butterfly is usually seen flitting about. It lay its eggs on the fresh leaves of A. petiolata on which the caterpillars of this single brooded butterfly feed.
Allium ursinum Ramsons Alliaceae
Ramsons tends to grow in patches by streams and in wet woodland places. You can find it by smell alone. If you don't like the fragrance of garlic however, a large patch of Ramsons in warm weather can be overpowering.
Anemone nemorosa Wood anemone Ranunculaceae
Antennaria dioica Mountain everlasting Compositae
Often found in hilly or mountainous regions, there are female and male flowers on separate plants.
Anthriscus sylvestris Cow parsley, mother die Umbelliferae
This was a plant associated with evil
Arabis glabra Tower Mustard Cruciferae
Arum maculatum Cuckoo pint Araceae
Lords and ladies. A plant of the woods and shady places, this is also one of the very first to show its distinctive leaves in Spring. The flower isn't as easy to find because it always seems to be eaten by something. The fruits are green then bright red in the late summer early Autumn.
Bellis perennis Daisy Compositae
They are a traditional wound herb and are also said to be especially useful in treating delicate and listless children. Chewing the fresh leaves is said to be a cure for mouth ulcers.
Bryonia dioica White bryony Cucurbitaceae
Calystegia sepium Hedge bindweed Convolvulaceae
Similar to C. silvatica, which has slightly larger flowers and is an introduced plant.
Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s purse Cruciferae
Cardamine amara Large bittercress Cruciferae
Up to about a foot in height.
Cardamine pratensis Cuckoo flower Cruciferae
Lady’s smock, one of the food plants of the Orange Tip butterfly which flies in Spring, has one brood then waits for a year as a pupa to emerge the following Spring.
Chaerophyllum temulum Rough chervil Umbelliferae
This plant is easily dismissed as a late flowering Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley) because the height and leaf shape are superficially quite similar. The stem though, is distinctly rough to the touch and its flowering season begins as Anthriscus is nearly finishing.
Clematis vitalba Traveller’s joy Ranunculaceae
Old man’s beard
Conopodium majus Pignut Umbelliferae
the tubers raw or cooked are supposed to taste of brazil nuts.
Convallaria majalis Lily-of-the-valley Convallariaceae
Convolvulus arvensis Field bindweed Convolvulaceae
Crambe maritima Sea kale Cruciferae
A seaside plant with edible leaves, it mostly grows on shingle or rocky shores in the UK.
Daucus carota Wild carrot Umbelliferae
In most cases when it has finished flowering, the seeds of the umbel make a concave shape as does the flower sometimes.
Drosera anglica Greater sundew Droseraceae
These plants gain extra nitrogen through catching small insects in the sticky leaf glands then closing the leaf around the creature and digesting it.
Drosera rotundifolia Round-leaved sundew Droseraceae
grow in bogs and swamps usually where the sphagnum moss is dominant. It is an insectivorous plant which is a shy flowerer. Small flies are caught in the glue tipped sticky hairs on the leaves and digested to supplement the nitrogen poor habitat. You can cultivate Drosera in tissue culture (an agar medium) and it likes it even better than bogs on rain soaked acid moorland. D. rotundifolia needs acidic bogs so is absent from much of the chalky and limy areas of central and southern England but is found all over Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Euphrasia officinalis Eyebright Scrophulariaceae
Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Rosaceae
This is a common plant of wet places, damp verges, edges of forest rides and soggy soil generally. You can see plenty of this in drainage ditches by the roadside in summer. The systematic name for this plant was once Spiraea ulmaria and it yielded a substance known as Salicin from which Acetylsalicylic acid was first derived. This new substance was called Aspirin after the "Spiraea" genus name of Meadowsweet.
Filipendula vulgaris Dropwort Rosaceae
Plants thought to have been introduced before 1500
Aegopodium podagraria Ground elder Umbelliferae
This persistent weed is said by some to have been introduced by the Romans possibly to use as a herb to treat gout or arthritis (hence its other name: Goutweed).
Anthemis arvensis Corn chamomile Compositae
Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Compositae
It loves disturbed and waste ground and can be found on almost any roadside verge in the country.
Carum carvi Caraway Umbelliferae
Conium maculatum Hemlock Umbelliferae
The stem is (usually) covered in purple blotches (hence maculatum = spotty). It is famously poisonous being the plant used to make a potion which Socrates was required to drink after being sentenced to death.
Plants thought to be introduced after 1500
Aruncus dioicus Goatsbeard Rosaceae
Some more white wildflowers
Galium aparine Goosegrass/Cleavers Rubiaceae
The young plants were once chopped up and given to young goslings hence one of its other common names: Goosegrass. Cleavers the current common name arises because of the old English meaning of cleave meaning to belong to or to adhere to. The barbs enable the whole plant to stick to itself and to other plants so it climbs up the hedges or border plants.
Galium odoratum Sweet Woodruff Rubiaceae
The fresh plant has very little odour, but when dried, smells of new-mown hay. Was used as a strewing herb, and in the linen cupboard to keep moths away. Good ground cover plant for shade.
Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Umbelliferae
Hogweed starts to show just after the Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley) has finished and the main crop is in summer. It does persist until the first significant frosts though. Can be used as a vegetable when just emerging – has a taste similar to asparagus.
Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye daisy Compositae
Can flower for much of the year. A decoction of the dried flowers and stems has been used as a wash for chapped hands
Leucojum aestivum Summer snowflake Amaryllidaceae
Sometimes found where old gardens once flourished.
Menyanthes trifoliata Bog bean Menyanthaceae
A bog plant, closely related to the gentians.
Nasturtium officinale Watercress Cruciferae
Rich in vitamins and minerals. May be contaminated if gathered from the wild.
Oxalis acetosella Wood sorrel Oxalidaceae
A lemony addition to salads, the juice is said to remove iron stains from linen. Good ground cover for shade.
Polygonatum multiflorum Solomon’s seal Convallariaceae
Used for thousands of years in herbal medicine. A distilled water can be made from the plant to improve the complexion. Good ground cover for shade
Raphanus raphanistrum Wild radish Cruciferae
Young leaves, flowers and seedpods can be eaten, and the sprouted seeds are very nutritious. The flowers can be pale yellow, mauve or white.
Sagina procumbens Pearlwort Caryophyllaceae
Silene nutans Nottingham catchfly Caryophyllaceae
Silene vulgaris Bladder campion Caryophyllaceae
Stellaria holostea Greater stitchwort Caryophyllaceae
Stellaria media Chickweed Caryophyllaceae
The flowers won't open unless the ambient temperature is around 10 Celsius and is so consistent with this that you can use it as a thermometer.
Trifolium repens White clover Leguminosae
The dried leaves impart a vanilla flavour to cakes etc. Dried flowering heads are a tea substitute.
Lamium album White dead-nettle Labiatae
The plant has a creeping rootstock and makes a good groundcover plant for woodland edges.
Matricaria recutita Scented mayweed Compositae
This species of camomile is a well-known herbal remedy
Silene latifolia White campion Caryophyllaceae
Plants thought to have been introduced before 1500
Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless mayweed Compositae
Used to be classified in Matricaria
Plants thought to be introduced after 1500
Myrrhis odorata Sweet cicely Umbelliferae
Take a portion of the leaf rub it between thumb and finger and smell the fragrance of aniseed
Plants of uncertain status
Maianthemum bifolium May lily
This is probably a native of the UK, found only in woods in Lincs, Yorks and Durham.
Jo