Samantha Grayson - Alternative & Complimentary Therapies - Herbs & Herbalism - Plant ID

Arnica Perennial alpine aromatic herb. Up to 60cm/2ft branching stems Basal leaves ovate or obovate Stem leaves opposite un-stalked Daisy like flower June-August

Cowslip Perennial soft hairs 30cm/1ft Leaves in basal rosette, wrinkled long, ovate, dark green above, pale green beneath Flowers: scented yellow, red, orange, blue, violet April –May Fruit: oval enclosed within sepals. Sepals: pale green

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

Perilla A short day annual up to 1.5m/5ft. Stems: branching, purple-brown, quadrangular. Leaves: oval, acute apex, denate margin up to 12cm

Skullcap baical Leaves: opposite, lanceolate, sessile, acute apex. Flowers: blue, helmet shaped upper lip

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

Blackthorn Deciduous Thorny shrub or small tree up to 6m/20ft. Slate grey/black bark. Leaves appear in April after the flower -small & oval, alternate, finely toothed. Sharp spines, orange wood. White flowers - February to April 5 white petals Green berries in June Dark-blue berries around August. Ripe in October-November. Called sloes

Bonesetter Shrub. Stem: thick, fleshy, ridged, quadrangular. Leaves fleshy, alternate, ovate, serrate margin. Flowers: small. Yellow-green

Burdock Greater Biennial. Robust, hairy, erect plant 80-150cm/32-60in tall. Leaves alternate, stalked, basal leaves rough with heart shaped blades, untoothed, up to 50cm/20in. Flowers: similar to thistle heads red/purple occasionally white. Flower bracts with golden green with hooked tips July – September

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

Houndstongue Biennial, greyish 40-70cm/16-28in tall. Mousy smell. Long silky hairs Leaves: long tongue shaped, alternate Flowers blood red or purple funnel shaped June – August Fruits: flattened, spiny which sticks to clothes and animal fur

Ivy Perennial evergreen climber up to 30m/100ft Stem: branched Leaves alternate, stalked glossy dark green with white veins. Upper leaves -ovate Flowers: small green, yellow stamen in umbels September-December Fruit: black berries late winter – early spring

Jack in the hedge Annual or biennial up to 70cm/28in tall erect, slender stems. Leaves green, slightly toothed, alternate, heart shaped, stalked smell of garlic when crushed. Flowers small, white clustered April –June

Schisandra A vine or liana with twisting stem up to 15m. Leaves: elliptical, alternate, wedge shaped base. Flowers: white or cream. Berries: small, ovoid, red in clusters

Chicory Perennial herb. 90-150cm/3-5 ft Thick yellow taproot, milky when broken. Stems, milky sap Lower leaves-long arrow shaped, toothed and hairy underneath. Upper leaves smaller, stalkless. Clear blue, white or pink daisy 3-5cm across like lowers in clusters July-September which close in the evening and open in the morning

Sorrel common Erect perennial 10-120cm/4-47in tall. Leaves oblong, arrow shaped and clasping the stem near the top of the plant Flowers spikes of small, red and green flowers on a smooth stem May – August

Bonduc Climber, prickly. Leaves: bipinnate up to 60cm, with 6-8 pairs small leaflets. Flowers: yellow, small in racemes. Pods covered in prickles contain hard grey polished seeds

Jasmine Perennial, climbing evergreen shrub up to 10m/33ft, bright green leaves, star shaped white/pink flowers followed by black berries

Hydrocotyle Small, creeping perennial. Leaves: glabrous, kidney shaped up to 2.5cm diameter, crenate margin, rounded apex. Flowers: pale violet, umbels

Mullein great Biennial/Perennial stout1-2m/3-6ft. Leaves lanceolate, crenate, downy leaves Flowers yellow clusters in long spikes 30-45cm long June- August. Whole plant covered in white/grey soft hair

Asarabacca Perennial up to 10cm tall Creeping, fleshy, hairy stem Leaves in pairs, dark green, kidney shaped, shiny, leathery surface Flowers: solitary, short stalked purple-brown bell like flowers April –May

Bearberry Evergreen shrub. Up to 20cm/8in. Trailing stems and branches. Leaves-dark green , paler under surface, spatulate, ovate, leathery, 2cm long, 0.5-1cm wide, margins entire. Flowers-clusters, white, pinkish flowers bloom May-August. Bright red berries in autumn.

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.

Blackcurrant Biennial 1m width 3-4m Stems: woody, branched, prickly Leaves: dark green trifoliate prickly, toothed, red/purple in autumn. Flowers five petals pink or white May-September. Fruit comprises of drupelets turning green to red to black August-October

Borage Hardy, hairy annual plant. 30-60cm/1-2 ft Sturdy, hollow, prickly stem. Leaves-dark green, pointed, oval, hairy. Flowers: May-September. Five petalled star, pink then turn blue

Comfrey Perennial height 90cm/3ft Thick black tap root up to 3m/10ft deep. Stem-rough, hairy, hollow and square. Leaves dark green, hairy pointed ovals up to 25cm long, 10cm wide. Flowers, bell like May-October droop in paired clusters white, cream, pink or mauve bellflowers

Hops Perennial deciduous climbing plant. Up to 8m/23ft. Stems: clinging, hairy Bears male and females flowers on different plants June-September. Dark green leaves and green/yellow cone like flowers 2.5-3cm long, 2-2.5cm wide. Fruit early September. Twines in a clockwise direction

Horseradish Hardy perennial.50cm/2-3ft. Stems: erect, hollow, branching Leaves dark green, grow directly from ground large, slightly toothed crinkly. White flowers May - September. White tapering root

Mallow common Perennial herb height 90cm/3ft. Fleshy taproot, slightly hairy erect stem. Dark green lobed stalked leaves. Pinkish, purple/bluish five petalled flowers April-October

Marigold marsh Perennial herb 40cm/16in stout, hollow stems, partially creeping arising from a thick creeping rhizome Leaves dark green, kidney shaped Flowers: yellow sepals but no petals 5cm wide March –June Claw like seed pods

Mugwort Perennial downy branched herb up to 1.5m/5ft, purplish, angled, woody, branched stems, dark green pinnate divided, 5-7 lobes, serrate leaves, almost hairless upper surface and are white underneath. Small red/brown flowers July –September Unpleasant smell

Perilla A short day annual up to 1.5m/5ft. Stems: branching, purple-brown, quadrangular. Leaves: oval, acute apex, denate margin up to 12cm

Alfalfa A perennial plant Grows 60-90cm/2-3ft has deep roots and erect stems. The leaves are trifoliate, narrow and egg shaped. The flowers are like clover flowers blue/purple in colour and bloom in-between June and October

Ashwagandha A woody shrub. Leaves: large, elliptical Flowers: green-yellow Fruit: red berry

Barberry Indian Small erect spiny shrub. Leaves: elliptical. Flowers: yellow in racemes. Fruit: red berries

Basil Holy Erect, annual herb up to 1.5m/5ft. Leaves: opposite, elliptical, oblong. Flowers: very small, purplish long close spikes

Schisandra A vine or liana with twisting stem up to 15m. Leaves: elliptical, alternate, wedge shaped base. Flowers: white or cream. Berries: small, ovoid, red in clusters

Henna Leaves: shortly stalked, smooth, lanceolate, up to 5cm, entire margin, mucronate apex

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

Chervil Annual.30cm18 inches. Root thin, whitish. Wiry, bright green fern like leaves. Umbels of tiny white flowers May-June

Fern male Large fern leaves pale green up to 1.3m Stalk thick, pale brown Spores July-September

Flag sweet Perennial, hairless up to 1.5m/5ft Leaves: grass like Stem: triangular Flowers: green/yellow May-June

Vanilla grass Perennial up to 20-25cm/8-10in. Tufted grass, short narrow leaves Flowers: yellowish spikes up to 1in

Vetiver Perennial grass. Straight stem, long narrow leaves. White, yellow or reddish rootlets

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

Basil Annual herb Average growing height 45 cm/18 in. Stem-erect, square and hairy. Leaves-pointed ovals, opposite, hairy, stalked, aromatic. Flowers-small, white/cream in July –September

Borage Hardy, hairy annual plant. 30-60cm/1-2 ft Sturdy, hollow, prickly stem. Leaves-dark green, pointed, oval, hairy. Flowers: May-September. Five petalled star, pink then turn blue

Dogs mercury Unbranched herbaceous up to 20cm/8in. Leaves: slender, ovate, fine hair Flowers: develop in leaves axis, green, petalless. Male and female on different plants. Male flowers – spike Females – in groups of 2 or 3

Pepper black Perennial woody vine up to 5m/16ft, heart shaped leaves, small white flowers, berries

Violet Low creeping perennial up to 15cm/½ft. 12cm/5in spread dark green heart shaped stalked leaves, violet-blue flowers 5 sepals March – May Sweet smell

Bacopa Monniera Herb Leaves: small, fleshy, sessile and kidney shaped Flowers: solitary blue or white with purple veins. Fruit: ovoid capsules

Karela Slender, branched climbing shrub. Leaves: kidney shaped, lobed. Flowers: yellow Fruit: similar to cucumber with ridges or soft spines up to 7cm

Calendula Hardy annual herb. 30cm-50cm/12- 20 inches Spindly root, angular, hairy stems. Leaves ovals or lanced shaped, mid green Orange or yellow many petals flowers. Flowers June -October. Seeds curved and rough.

Chiretta Stems: brown-purple 2-4mm thick, cylindrical, yellowish pith. Leaves: opposite, lanceolate, ovate. Flowers: small.

Chiretta green Erect, branched annual herb up to 1m. Leaves: lanceolate, glaborous. Flowers: small white or pink with brown or purple blotches. Capsules –oblong

Henna Leaves: shortly stalked, smooth, lanceolate, up to 5cm, entire margin, mucronate apex

Mint horse Mint horse Hairy. Grey foliage up to 1m tall. Stem: rectangular and branching Leaves opposite, nearly sessile, ovate-lanceolate, serrated, downy Flowers: lilac or white, dense spike

Orache spear leaved Trailing or erect annual Leaves triangular or speared shaped usually toothed Upper leaves lanceolate Flowers small June – September

Astragalus Herbaceous perennial reaching 1m. Leaves: pinnate leaflets in 18-20 pairs. Flowers: dark, yellow. Root long cylindrical taproot

Bonduc Climber, prickly. Leaves: bipinnate up to 60cm, with 6-8 pairs small leaflets. Flowers: yellow, small in racemes. Pods covered in prickles contain hard grey polished seeds

Dong quai Perennial up to 2.5m Leaves: large, tripinnate Leaflets: ovate and serrated Stalks and petioles: cylindric, grooved, hollow Flowers: small green/white or yellow in umbels Fruits: up to 7mm long, elliptic, winged. Rhizome: fleshy, short Roots: fiberous

Edible love in the mist Hairy annual up to 45cm. Leaves short stalked, feathery, narrow leaflets Flowers: solitary July-September

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

Blackcurrant Erect, deciduous, thornless shrub up to 1.5m/5ft. Aromatic leaves when crushed. Leaves: large, stalked, rounded 3-5 lobed Flowers drooping stalked spikes April- May. Opaque black berries June – July

Buttercup Celery Leaves Hairless up to 1m tall. Leaves 3 lobed, toothed Flowers: yellow June-November

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

Asparagus wild A climber up to 2m tall much branched. Leaves: needle like. Flowers: numerous, white, minute. Rootstock: tuberous. Stem: woody

Basil Holy Erect, annual herb up to 1.5m/5ft. Leaves: opposite, elliptical, oblong. Flowers: very small, purplish long close spikes

Madder Perennial climbing plant. 60-90cm/2-3ft. Leaves: oblong with prickly underside Flowers yellow star shaped June-August

Arnica Perennial alpine aromatic herb. Up to 60cm/2ft branching stems Basal leaves ovate or obovate Stem leaves opposite un-stalked Daisy like flower June-August

Basil Holy Erect, annual herb up to 1.5m/5ft. Leaves: opposite, elliptical, oblong. Flowers: very small, purplish long close spikes

Centaury Annual or biennial Hairless Up to 60cm/2ft Root-woody and fibrous. Leaves –opposite, ovate. Pink/Red flowers July-September five petals. Flowers open early morning but close around noon

Chiretta Stems: brown-purple 2-4mm thick, cylindrical, yellowish pith. Leaves: opposite, lanceolate, ovate. Flowers: small.

Elder dwarf Hairless perennial. Stems erect Leaves opposite, stalked, pinnate, pointed, toothed leaflets Flowers white, pink anthers June-August

Mint horse Mint horse Hairy. Grey foliage up to 1m tall. Stem: rectangular and branching Leaves opposite, nearly sessile, ovate-lanceolate, serrated, downy Flowers: lilac or white, dense spike

Pimpernel scarlet Prostate annual. Leaves: opposite 1-2cm long, 1cm broad, ovate, sessile, black dots on undersurface. Flowers: small, scarlet, star like, finely toothed

Rupturewort smooth Creeping annual or perennial. Stem: brittle Leaves opposite, oval Flowers small, round, un-stalked July – September

Cowberry Small evergreen shrub 40cm/16in high. Leaves leathery, oval untoothed. Flowers pink or white open in clusters May – July. Fruits red, spherical

Elecampane Large, hardy herbaceous perennial. Up to 240cm/8ft. Roots - thick, dark brown. Stems-hairy, erect and filled with spongy pith. Leaves coarse, thick and toothed. Green on top, grey underneath. Upper leaves oval Yellow flowers June-October

Germander Pink Evergreen perennial up to 36cm/14in Leaves opposite, oval, pointed, rounded toothed, dark, shiny, leathery up to 3cm long, 1cm broad Flowers lavender –pink, two lipped July-August

Honeysuckle Woody climbing perennial up to 6m/20ft. Oval leaves. Flowers yellow/white, pink tinged. Tubular shaped followed by orange or red berries

Mint horse Mint horse Hairy. Grey foliage up to 1m tall. Stem: rectangular and branching Leaves opposite, nearly sessile, ovate-lanceolate, serrated, downy Flowers: lilac or white, dense spike

Perilla A short day annual up to 1.5m/5ft. Stems: branching, purple-brown, quadrangular. Leaves: oval, acute apex, denate margin up to 12cm

Rupturewort smooth Creeping annual or perennial. Stem: brittle Leaves opposite, oval Flowers small, round, un-stalked July – September

Stonecrop yellow Hairless 5-10cm/2-4in Short stems Leaves: oval, fleshy Flowers: bright yellow June- July

Bonesetter Shrub. Stem: thick, fleshy, ridged, quadrangular. Leaves fleshy, alternate, ovate, serrate margin. Flowers: small. Yellow-green

Centaury Annual or biennial Hairless Up to 60cm/2ft Root-woody and fibrous. Leaves –opposite, ovate. Pink/Red flowers July-September five petals. Flowers open early morning but close around noon

Chiretta Stems: brown-purple 2-4mm thick, cylindrical, yellowish pith. Leaves: opposite, lanceolate, ovate. Flowers: small.

Pimpernel scarlet Prostate annual. Leaves: opposite 1-2cm long, 1cm broad, ovate, sessile, black dots on undersurface. Flowers: small, scarlet, star like, finely toothed

Poppy opium Annual sturdy, hairless up to 1.2m/4ft. Blue/green foliage milky sap Stems: unbranched Leaves oval, toothed Flower: white or reddish with purple base and streaks up to 10cm June-August. Fruit: black seeds

Pairs Asarabacca Perennial up to 10cm tall Creeping, fleshy, hairy stem Leaves in pairs, dark green, kidney shaped, shiny, leathery surface Flowers: solitary, short stalked purple-brown bell like flowers April –May

Astragalus Herbaceous perennial reaching 1m. Leaves: pinnate leaflets in 18-20 pairs. Flowers: dark, yellow. Root long cylindrical taproot

Elder dwarf Hairless perennial. Stems erect Leaves opposite, stalked, pinnate, pointed, toothed leaflets Flowers white, pink anthers June-August

Rue goats Perennial hairless bushy up to 90cm/3ft. Leaves: pinnate Flowers: purple, blue or white July-September followed by long pods

Tansy Hardy perennial almost hairless. Up to 1m/3ft Stems branched towards top. Leaves un-stalked, dark green, pinnate, toothed segments Clusters of yellow, button shaped, petalless flowers July-October. Creeping roots, dark ferny leaves. Very aromatic

Germander Pink Evergreen perennial up to 36cm/14in Leaves opposite, oval, pointed, rounded toothed, dark, shiny, leathery up to 3cm long, 1cm broad Flowers lavender –pink, two lipped July-August

Madder Perennial climbing plant. 60-90cm/2-3ft. Leaves: oblong with prickly underside Flowers yellow star shaped June-August

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

Germander Pink Evergreen perennial up to 36cm/14in Leaves opposite, oval, pointed, rounded toothed, dark, shiny, leathery up to 3cm long, 1cm broad Flowers lavender –pink, two lipped July-August

Agrimony -Perennial that grows up to 250-100cm/20-40in high. Hairy, erect stems Mid green leaves with serrated edges and grow in alternate large and small pairs along dark green slender stem. Small bright yellow five petalled flowers on a tapering spike and are apricot scented. June – September