Spindle / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Spindle is a fairly common shrub or small tree in the South of the UK, and one of the indictors of an ancient woodland. In the North it is rarer and usually only occurs where it has been planted by humans. It looks…
Tag: summer
Deadly Nightshade / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Deadly Nightshade – As the name suggests it can be deadly poisonous. It’s a member of the same family as Tomatoes, Potatoes and Aubergines and it’s fairly common in the UK. Common Names Deadly Nightshade, Belladonna Botanical Name Atropa belladonna…
Black Bryony / Summer / Toxic A toxic member of the Yam family, it’s quite a common sight in summer and autumn, all parts are poisonous. It’s a climber and can grow up to 4m each year. Common Names Black Bryony, Lady’s-seal or Black bindweed Botanical Name Dioscorea communis or…
Guelder Rose / Summer / Autumn / Edible Common Names Cramp bark tree, Crampbush Botantical Name Viburnum opulus Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Dipsacales Family – Adoxaceae Physical Characteristics of Guelder Rose A woody perennial shrub that can grow to 4m in height. Leaves The leaves, 5–10cm long, grow…
Pheasant berry / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible A non-native member of the Honeysuckle family, it’s originally from China and the Himalaya’s and was introduced to the UK by the Victorians. The berries have a strong toffee like flavour. It’s a deciduous shrub-like plant. Common Names Pheasant berry,…
Wild Thyme / All Year Round / Edible It’s a low lying and fragrant member of the Mint family, it often grows in dense mats and can be used in place of cultivated Thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Common Names Wild Thyme, Creeping Thyme Botanical Name Thymus polytrichus Scientific Classification Kingdom –…
Spruce / All year round / Edible Spruce is a family of naturalised, fast-growing, evergreen trees. They are a common choice of tree in 20th century plantations, but can also self seed and spread their seeds on the wind. Common Names      Norway spruce Botanical Name Picea abies Scientific Classification Kingdom…
Hedge Bedstraw / Spring / Summer / Edible Hedge Bedstraw is a fairly common hedgerow plant, it’s related to Cleavers and Coffee. Common Names Hedge bedstraw, False baby’s breath, Botanical Name Galium mollugo Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Gentianales Family – Rubiaceae Physical Characteristics for Hedge Bedstraw…
Sweet Violet / Spring / Summer / Edible Sweet Violet is a sweet-scented woodland plant, the roots and seeds are toxic but the flowers are delicious. Common Names Sweet violet, Wood violet, English violet, Common violet, Florist’s violet or Garden violet. Botanical Name Viola odorata Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae…
Horse Chestnut / All year round / Toxic The ‘nuts’ or ‘conkers’ of Horse Chestnut are a common and familiar sight in autumn, the tree was introduced to the UK from Turkey in the 16th century. Common Names      Horse Chestnut, Conker tree, Buckeye. Botanical Name Aesculus hippocastanum Scientific Classification Kingdom…