COMMON NAMESAsh, Common Ash, European Ash. BOTANICAL NAMEFraxinus excelsior. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Stems – Light grey bark, that fissures with age, the stems are smooth with distinctive black buds, which are arranged in opposite pairs. Leaves -Large compound leaves, up to 40 cm long,…
Category: Plant identification
Wild Carrot distinct “bracts” under the flower WILD CARROT / SUMMER / AUTUMN / EDIBLE COMMON NAMES Wild Carrot, Queen Anne’s Lace, Birds nest. BOTANICAL NAME Daucus Carota. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Root – Off white and carrot-shaped, it is edible when young but soon becomes too woody and tough to eat.…
HORSERADISH / SUMMER / AUTUMN / WINTER / EDIBLE COMMON NAMES Horseradish BOTANICAL NAME Armoracia Rusticana PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Root – A large, white, tapered root, the root when intact doesn’t really smell but once grated, chopped or damaged it will release the familiar aroma. The root can become quite gnarled…
DOG ROSE / SUMMER / AUTUMN / EDIBLE COMMON NAMES Dog Rose, Wild Rose, Dogberry. BOTANICAL NAME Rosa Canina PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Root – Woody, green/brown with a large tap root. Was allegedly used to treat dog bites in ancient times. Stems – Green to brown depending on age, the stems…
DOG’S MERCURY / SPRING / SUMMER / DEADLY COMMON NAMES Dog’s Mercury, Dog’s Cole BOTANICAL NAME Mercurialis Perennis PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Root – Unknown. Stems – Single rounded stems with leaves growing in pairs at intervals up the stem. Leaves – Green, single leaves, lanceolate in shape which are serrated. Flowers…
WILD RASPBERRY / SUMMER / AUTUNM / EDIBLE COMMON NAMES Raspberry, hindberry. BOTANICAL NAME Rubus Idaeus PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Root – Unknown. Stems – In their first year the stems or canes have just leaves but from then on this stem produces leaves and flowers. The canes have small reddish thorns…
COMMON LIME / SPRING / SUMMER / AUTUMN / EDIBLE COMMON NAMES Common lime, European Lime, Linden. BOTANICAL NAME Tilia x Europaea PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Root – Unknown. Stems/Bark – Young trees have grey/brown smooth bark which becomes more gnarled over time. Suckers or side shoots are common around the base of…
BEECH / SPRING / SUMMER / AUTUMN / EDIBLE COMMON NAMES Common Beech, European Beech BOTANICAL NAME Fagus sylvatica PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Root – Unknown. Stems/Bark – They have smooth silver/grey bark. Leaves – The leaves are lime green, with wavy edges. They are around 5-10 cm long, grow…
GORSE / SPRING / SUMMER / AUTUMN / WINTER / EDIBLE / DEADLY COMMON NAMES Gorse, Prickly broom, furze BOTANICAL NAME Ulex Europaeus PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Root – Unknown. Stems/Bark – Green stems with the shoots and leaves modified into spikes. Leaves – It’s leaves are long, sharp and spiky. Flowers –…
MUGWORT / SPRING / SUMMER / EDIBLE COMMON NAMES Mugwort, Sailors Tobacco, Wild Wormwood. BOTANICAL NAME Artemisia vulgaris PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Root – Generally 10-15cm long, light brown and woody, 2-5 cm thick. Stems – They are erect, grooved and tend to have a red/purple tinge. Leaves – Mugwort leaves are…