Category: Plant identification

Himalayan Balsam / Spring / Summer / Edible   Common Names Himalayan Balsam, Indian Balsam, Bobby Tops, Copper Tops, Gnome’s Hatstand, Ornamental Jewelweed, Policeman’s Helmet, Kiss-me-on-the-Mountain Botanical Name Impatiens glandulifera Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Rosales Family – Rosaeae Physical Characteristics for Himalayan Balsam Himalayan Balsam is an incredibly…

Sow Thistle / Spring / Summer/ Autumn / Edible Common names Sow thistle, hare thistle, hare’s lettuce Botanical name Sonchus (genus of several species) Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Asterales  Family – Asteraceae Physical Characteristics for Sow Thistle Leaves Looks like a true thistle, but the leaves are much…

Rosebay Willowherb / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Common names Rosebay Willowherb, Fireweed Botanical name Chamerion angustifolium Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Myrtales  Family – Onagraceae Physical Characteristics for Rosebay Willowherb  Leaves Starts as a rosette of lance-shaped leaves, which then becomes a tall stalk. The leaves…

Hairy Bittercress / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Botanical name Cardamine hirsuta Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Brassicales  Family – Brassicaceae Physical Characteristics for Hairy Bittercress Hairy bittercress is a very successful plant and, in the UK, will go through its life cycle several times between…

Pignut / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Common names Pignut, hognut, kippernut, cipernut, arnut, jarnut, hawknut, earth chestnut, groundnut, and earthnut Botanical name Conopodium majus Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Apiales Family – Apiaceae Physical characteristics  The Pignut can only be found from Spring to…

Chickweed / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible How to Identify Chickweed Common names Common Chickweed, Chickweed Botanical name Stellaria media Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Caryophyllales  Family – Caryophyllaceae Physical Characteristics for Chickweed Forms mats of long (6-9 inches) trailing stems that don’t really gain…