Herbs and Herbalism
Plant ID
Africa - Leaves and Stems
Leaves
Cuckoo Flower Perennial herb, almost hairless stems up to 30cm/1ft with a rosette of stalked pinnate leaves Flowers start lilac turn white four petals, stalked April June
Cuckoo Flower Perennial herb, almost hairless stems up to 30cm/1ft with a rosette of stalked pinnate leaves Flowers start lilac turn white four petals, stalked April June
Nightshade black Erect annual herb up to 45cm. Leaves: ovate, lanceolate, acute apex. Flowers: small, violet. Berries: purple/black
Bittersweet Perennial up to 2m, creeping,
climber Leaves stalked oval to lanceolate, alternate become more pointed towards
top of stem Bark: ashen grey with age Flowers: violet 5 petals small yellow
stamens May-September Berries: green then yellow then red, oval
Bonesetter Shrub. Stem: thick, fleshy,
ridged, quadrangular. Leaves fleshy, alternate, ovate, serrate margin. Flowers:
small. Yellow-green
Henbane Annual or biennial bushy herbaceous, 50-80cm/20-32in tall. Stems: erect, unbranched with soft white hairs Sticky, smelly foliage. Up to 80cm Leaves: alternate, ovate or oblong, toothed, stalkless and hairy Lower leaves: stalked and hairy Flowers yellow/brown purple veined corolla tubes with leafy bracts June October Fruit: Smooth green in a five toothed cup
Belladonna Perennial herb. Thick, whitish root, erect, branching purplish stem. Height 60-150cm/2-5ft. Leaves-dark green, long up to 25cm, pointed oval, stalked, entire margin. Drooping, solitary, bell shaped dull purple flowers, bourne at base of leaves bloom, yellow stamens June-August. Black berries-August-November. Foul smell if plant is crushed.
Belladonna Perennial herb. Thick, whitish root, erect, branching purplish stem. Height 60-150cm/2-5ft. Leaves-dark green, long up to 25cm, pointed oval, stalked, entire margin. Drooping, solitary, bell shaped dull purple flowers, bourne at base of leaves bloom, yellow stamens June-August. Black berries-August-November. Foul smell if plant is crushed.
Carrot seed Annual or biennial or perennial herb. Tough white root, hairy fern-like leaves, stems erect and often branched white lacy flowers outer florets larger than inner ones, cushion shaped June September 50-100cm/20-40in tall.3 forked or pinnate bracts around flower head
Avens Perennial 30-60cm/1-2 ft. Hairy stems
Leaves in groups of 3, long stalked Flowers: yellow, solitary 5 petals
May-October
Balm Herbaceous perennial. 90cm/3ft. Stem-hairy
and square. Leaves-opposite, stalked, hairy, 3-4cm long, ovate, wrinkled, coarse
serrate margin, rounded base and lemon scented. Flower-small yellow buds that
turn into white or pink flowers June-August
Carrot seed Annual or biennial or perennial
herb. Tough white root, hairy fern-like leaves, stems erect and often branched
white lacy flowers outer florets larger than inner ones, cushion shaped June
September 50-100cm/20-40in tall.3 forked or pinnate bracts around flower head
Chamomile Maroc 90-125cm tall, hairy leaves,
yellow flowers surrounded by white ligulets
Henbane Annual or biennial bushy herbaceous,
50-80cm/20-32in tall. Stems: erect, unbranched with soft white hairs Sticky,
smelly foliage. Up to 80cm Leaves: alternate, ovate or oblong, toothed, stalkless
and hairy Lower leaves: stalked and hairy Flowers yellow/brown purple veined
corolla tubes with leafy bracts June October Fruit: Smooth green in a five
toothed cup
Kidney Shaped
Karela Slender, branched climbing shrub.
Leaves: kidney shaped, lobed. Flowers: yellow Fruit: similar to cucumber with
ridges or soft spines up to 7cm
Lanceolate
Bittersweet Perennial up to 2m, creeping,
climber Leaves stalked oval to lanceolate, alternate become more pointed towards
top of stem Bark: ashen grey with age Flowers: violet 5 petals small yellow
stamens May-September Berries: green then yellow then red, oval
Nightshade black Erect annual herb up to
45cm. Leaves: ovate, lanceolate, acute apex. Flowers: small, violet. Berries:
purple/black
Leaflets
Fenugreek Annual. 60cm/2ft. Taproot, hollow
and hairy. Leaves- finely toothed three leaflets. Flowers creamy white or pink
June - August. Followed by seeds pods contain sixteen yellow brown pebble shaped
seeds
Lobed
Hemp agrimony Perennial, hairy 90-150cm/36-60in
Stems: red-purple tinged, stiff, erect, angular, rough Leaves: palmate, grey/green
toothed, three lobed, mostly paired. Flowers protruding stamens, massed together
forming broad, flat top clusters, usually pink/purple occasionally white. Tubular
Karela Slender, branched climbing shrub.
Leaves: kidney shaped, lobed. Flowers: yellow Fruit: similar to cucumber with
ridges or soft spines up to 7cm
Oblong
Henbane Annual or biennial bushy herbaceous,
50-80cm/20-32in tall. Stems: erect, unbranched with soft white hairs Sticky,
smelly foliage. Up to 80cm Leaves: alternate, ovate or oblong, toothed, stalkless
and hairy Lower leaves: stalked and hairy Flowers yellow/brown purple veined
corolla tubes with leafy bracts June October Fruit: Smooth green in a five
toothed cup
Opposite
Balm Herbaceous perennial. 90cm/3ft. Stem-hairy
and square. Leaves-opposite, stalked, hairy, 3-4cm long, ovate, wrinkled, coarse
serrate margin, rounded base and lemon scented. Flower-small yellow buds that
turn into white or pink flowers June-August
Monsonia Stems: branched up to 30cm/1ft
Leaves: opposite, very small, stalked, ovate, serrate Flowers: white solitary
or in pairs on one penduncle
Oval
Belladonna Perennial herb. Thick, whitish
root, erect, branching purplish stem. Height 60-150cm/2-5ft. Leaves-dark green,
long up to 25cm, pointed oval, stalked, entire margin. Drooping, solitary, bell
shaped dull purple flowers, bourne at base of leaves bloom, yellow stamens June-August.
Black berries-August-November. Foul smell if plant is crushed.
Bittersweet Perennial up to 2m, creeping,
climber Leaves stalked oval to lanceolate, alternate become more pointed towards
top of stem Bark: ashen grey with age Flowers: violet 5 petals small yellow
stamens May-September Berries: green then yellow then red, oval
Calamintha Bushy perennial less then 1m/3ft
high, soft oval, slightly serrated, stalked leaves, pale purple flowers
Honeysuckle Woody climbing perennial up
to 6m/20ft. Oval leaves. Flowers yellow/white, pink tinged. Tubular shaped followed
by orange or red berries
Stonecrop yellow Hairless 5-10cm/2-4in Short
stems Leaves: oval, fleshy Flowers: bright yellow June- July
Ovate
Balm Herbaceous perennial. 90cm/3ft. Stem-hairy and square. Leaves-opposite, stalked, hairy, 3-4cm long, ovate, wrinkled, coarse serrate margin, rounded base and lemon scented. Flower-small yellow buds that turn into white or pink flowers June-August
Bonesetter Shrub. Stem: thick, fleshy, ridged,
quadrangular. Leaves fleshy, alternate, ovate, serrate margin. Flowers: small.
Yellow-green
Damiana Small shrub. Leaves ovate, pale
green, 1-2.5cm long, 6mm broad, shortly stalked, serrated, recurved margin.
Flowers yellow and aromatic
Henbane Annual or biennial bushy herbaceous,
50-80cm/20-32in tall. Stems: erect, unbranched with soft white hairs Sticky,
smelly foliage. Up to 80cm Leaves: alternate, ovate or oblong, toothed, stalkless
and hairy Lower leaves: stalked and hairy Flowers yellow/brown purple veined
corolla tubes with leafy bracts June October Fruit: Smooth green in a five
toothed cup
Monsonia Stems: branched up to 30cm/1ft
Leaves: opposite, very small, stalked, ovate, serrate Flowers: white solitary
or in pairs on one penduncle
Nightshade black Erect annual herb up to
45cm. Leaves: ovate, lanceolate, acute apex. Flowers: small, violet. Berries:
purple/black
Paired
Hemp agrimony Perennial, hairy 90-150cm/36-60in
Stems: red-purple tinged, stiff, erect, angular, rough Leaves: palmate, grey/green
toothed, three lobed, mostly paired. Flowers protruding stamens, massed together
forming broad, flat top clusters, usually pink/purple occasionally white. Tubular
Palmate
Castor Oil Plant Upright perennial evergreen
shrub Leaves: large long stalked, palmate, irregular serrate margin
Hemp agrimony Perennial, hairy 90-150cm/36-60in
Stems: red-purple tinged, stiff, erect, angular, rough Leaves: palmate, grey/green
toothed, three lobed, mostly paired. Flowers protruding stamens, massed together
forming broad, flat top clusters, usually pink/purple occasionally white. Tubular
Pinnate
Caltrops Thorny perennial creeper. Flowers:
pale yellow. Leaves: pinnate
Pointed
Belladonna Perennial herb. Thick, whitish
root, erect, branching purplish stem. Height 60-150cm/2-5ft. Leaves-dark green,
long up to 25cm, pointed oval, stalked, entire margin. Drooping, solitary, bell
shaped dull purple flowers, bourne at base of leaves bloom, yellow stamens June-August.
Black berries-August-November. Foul smell if plant is crushed.
Rounded
Coltsfoot Perennial Stems: fleshy, stocky,
purplish scales. 10-25cm/4-10in tall. Leaves: appear after flowering, basal,
rounded and long stalked with heart shaped base appear end of April. Flowers:
Bright golden daisy like, petals narrow and many February April. Flowers appear
before the leaves. Seeds make a dandelion clock
Rounded Base
Balm Herbaceous perennial. 90cm/3ft. Stem-hairy
and square. Leaves-opposite, stalked, hairy, 3-4cm long, ovate, wrinkled, coarse
serrate margin, rounded base and lemon scented. Flower-small yellow buds that
turn into white or pink flowers June-August
Serrated
Balm Herbaceous perennial. 90cm/3ft. Stem-hairy
and square. Leaves-opposite, stalked, hairy, 3-4cm long, ovate, wrinkled, coarse
serrate margin, rounded base and lemon scented. Flower-small yellow buds that
turn into white or pink flowers June-August
Buchu Small shrub with wrinkled, serrated leaves. Five petals white flowers
Calamintha Bushy perennial less then 1m/3ft
high, soft oval, slightly serrated, stalked leaves, pale purple flowers
Castor Oil Plant Upright perennial evergreen
shrub Leaves: large long stalked, palmate, irregular serrate margin
Damiana Small shrub. Leaves ovate, pale
green, 1-2.5cm long, 6mm broad, shortly stalked, serrated, recurved margin.
Flowers yellow and aromatic
Monsonia Stems: branched up to 30cm/1ft
Leaves: opposite, very small, stalked, ovate, serrate Flowers: white solitary
or in pairs on one penduncle
Stalked
Avens Perennial 30-60cm/1-2 ft. Hairy stems
Leaves in groups of 3, long stalked Flowers: yellow, solitary 5 petals
May-October
Balm Herbaceous perennial. 90cm/3ft. Stem-hairy
and square. Leaves-opposite, stalked, hairy, 3-4cm long, ovate, wrinkled, coarse
serrate margin, rounded base and lemon scented. Flower-small yellow buds that
turn into white or pink flowers June-August
Belladonna Perennial herb. Thick, whitish
root, erect, branching purplish stem. Height 60-150cm/2-5ft. Leaves-dark green,
long up to 25cm, pointed oval, stalked, entire margin. Drooping, solitary, bell
shaped dull purple flowers, bourne at base of leaves bloom, yellow stamens June-August.
Black berries-August-November. Foul smell if plant is crushed.
Castor Oil Plant Upright perennial evergreen
shrub Leaves: large long stalked, palmate, irregular serrate margin
Coltsfoot Perennial Stems: fleshy, stocky,
purplish scales. 10-25cm/4-10in tall. Leaves: appear after flowering, basal,
rounded and long stalked with heart shaped base appear end of April. Flowers:
Bright golden daisy like, petals narrow and many February April. Flowers appear
before the leaves. Seeds make a dandelion clock
Damiana Small shrub. Leaves ovate, pale
green, 1-2.5cm long, 6mm broad, shortly stalked, serrated, recurved margin.
Flowers yellow and aromatic
Monsonia Stems: branched up to 30cm/1ft
Leaves: opposite, very small, stalked, ovate, serrate Flowers: white solitary
or in pairs on one penduncle
Sword Shaped
Calamus Reed like aquatic plant 1m/3ft tall,
sword shaped leaves, green/yellow flowers
Toothed
Fenugreek Annual. 60cm/2ft. Taproot, hollow
and hairy. Leaves- finely toothed three leaflets. Flowers creamy white or pink
June - August. Followed by seeds pods contain sixteen yellow brown pebble shaped
seeds
Henbane Annual or biennial bushy herbaceous, 50-80cm/20-32in tall. Stems: erect, unbranched with soft white hairs Sticky, smelly foliage. Up to 80cm Leaves: alternate, ovate or oblong, toothed, stalkless and hairy Lower leaves: stalked and hairy Flowers yellow/brown purple veined corolla tubes with leafy bracts June October Fruit: Smooth green in a five toothed cup
Stems
Branching
Belladonna Perennial herb. Thick, whitish
root, erect, branching purplish stem. Height 60-150cm/2-5ft. Leaves-dark green,
long up to 25cm, pointed oval, stalked, entire margin. Drooping, solitary, bell
shaped dull purple flowers, bourne at base of leaves bloom, yellow stamens June-August.
Black berries-August-November. Foul smell if plant is crushed.
Karela Slender, branched climbing shrub.
Leaves: kidney shaped, lobed. Flowers: yellow Fruit: similar to cucumber with
ridges or soft spines up to 7cm
Climber
Cowhage Evergreen climber. Leaves: downy. Flowers: purple or white in clusters, covered in orange or brown bristles
Karela Slender, branched climbing shrub.
Leaves: kidney shaped, lobed. Flowers: yellow Fruit: similar to cucumber with
ridges or soft spines up to 7cm
Creeping
Caltrops Thorny perennial creeper. Flowers:
pale yellow. Leaves: pinnate
Erect
Belladonna Perennial herb. Thick, whitish
root, erect, branching purplish stem. Height 60-150cm/2-5ft. Leaves-dark green,
long up to 25cm, pointed oval, stalked, entire margin. Drooping, solitary, bell
shaped dull purple flowers, bourne at base of leaves bloom, yellow stamens June-August.
Black berries-August-November. Foul smell if plant is crushed.
Carrot seed Annual or biennial or perennial
herb. Tough white root, hairy fern-like leaves, stems erect and often branched
white lacy flowers outer florets larger than inner ones, cushion shaped June
September 50-100cm/20-40in tall.3 forked or pinnate bracts around flower head
Hemp agrimony Perennial, hairy 90-150cm/36-60in
Stems: red-purple tinged, stiff, erect, angular, rough Leaves: palmate, grey/green
toothed, three lobed, mostly paired. Flowers protruding stamens, massed together
forming broad, flat top clusters, usually pink/purple occasionally white. Tubular
Henbane Annual or biennial bushy herbaceous,
50-80cm/20-32in tall. Stems: erect, unbranched with soft white hairs Sticky,
smelly foliage. Up to 80cm Leaves: alternate, ovate or oblong, toothed, stalkless
and hairy Lower leaves: stalked and hairy Flowers yellow/brown purple veined
corolla tubes with leafy bracts June October Fruit: Smooth green in a five
toothed cup
Savory summer Annual herb up to 45cm/1½ ft, slender erect slightly hairy purple stems, small pale lilac flowers August -October
Hairy
Balm Herbaceous perennial. 90cm/3ft. Stem-hairy
and square. Leaves-opposite, stalked, hairy, 3-4cm long, ovate, wrinkled, coarse
serrate margin, rounded base and lemon scented. Flower-small yellow buds that
turn into white or pink flowers June-August
Henbane Annual or biennial bushy herbaceous,
50-80cm/20-32in tall. Stems: erect, unbranched with soft white hairs Sticky,
smelly foliage. Up to 80cm Leaves: alternate, ovate or oblong, toothed, stalkless
and hairy Lower leaves: stalked and hairy Flowers yellow/brown purple veined
corolla tubes with leafy bracts June October Fruit: Smooth green in a five
toothed cup
Savory summer Annual herb up to 45cm/1½ ft, slender erect slightly hairy purple stems, small pale lilac flowers August -October
Fleshy
Bonesetter Shrub. Stem: thick, fleshy, ridged, quadrangular. Leaves fleshy, alternate, ovate, serrate margin. Flowers: small. Yellow-green
Bonesetter Shrub. Stem: thick, fleshy, ridged, quadrangular. Leaves fleshy, alternate, ovate, serrate margin. Flowers: small. Yellow-green
Prickly
Caltrops Thorny perennial creeper. Flowers: pale yellow. Leaves:
pinnate
Belladonna Perennial herb. Thick, whitish
root, erect, branching purplish stem. Height 60-150cm/2-5ft. Leaves-dark green,
long up to 25cm, pointed oval, stalked, entire margin. Drooping, solitary, bell
shaped dull purple flowers, bourne at base of leaves bloom, yellow stamens June-August.
Black berries-August-November. Foul smell if plant is crushed.
Hemp agrimony Perennial, hairy 90-150cm/36-60in
Stems: red-purple tinged, stiff, erect, angular, rough Leaves: palmate, grey/green
toothed, three lobed, mostly paired. Flowers protruding stamens, massed together
forming broad, flat top clusters, usually pink/purple occasionally white. Tubular
Savory summer Annual herb up to 45cm/1½ ft, slender erect slightly hairy purple stems, small pale lilac flowers August -October
Hemp agrimony Perennial, hairy 90-150cm/36-60in Stems: red-purple tinged, stiff, erect, angular, rough Leaves: palmate, grey/green toothed, three lobed, mostly paired. Flowers protruding stamens, massed together forming broad, flat top clusters, usually pink/purple occasionally white. Tubular
Bonesetter Shrub. Stem: thick, fleshy, ridged, quadrangular. Leaves fleshy, alternate, ovate, serrate margin. Flowers: small. Yellow-green
Balm Herbaceous perennial. 90cm/3ft. Stem-hairy
and square. Leaves-opposite, stalked, hairy, 3-4cm long, ovate, wrinkled, coarse
serrate margin, rounded base and lemon scented. Flower-small yellow buds that
turn into white or pink flowers June-August
Thick
Bonesetter Shrub. Stem: thick, fleshy, ridged, quadrangular. Leaves fleshy, alternate, ovate, serrate margin. Flowers: small. Yellow-green
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