Herbs and Herbalism

Plant ID

  Asia

Stems

Angular

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.

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

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

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

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

Meadowsweet Aromatic perennial. 60-120cm/2-4ft. Stems: stiff, upright, hairless Branched towards top. Leaves: long stalked, pinnate with 2-5 pairs of leaflets over 2cm long silvery below Stipules green above, downy beneath Flowers: dense clusters creamy white 5-6 petals, 25mm across June – October. Strong aroma

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

Pennyroyal Creeping perennial stems 7-15cm/3-6in high. Stems: branched almost hairless Leaves ovate short stalked up to 2-3cm, serrate Flowers July & August –lilac

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

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

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

Woodruff sweet Perennial, hairless up to 30cm/1ft tall Upright, rectangular stems, unbranched, slender, quadrangular, brittle Leaves in whorls, 6-9 elliptical, pointed bristles on edges Flowers: white, forming loose heads, 4 petals April – June Fruit covered in hooked bristles

Cowhage Evergreen climber. Leaves: downy. Flowers: purple or white in clusters, covered in orange or brown bristles

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

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

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

Caltrops Thorny perennial creeper. Flowers: pale yellow. Leaves: pinnate

Cat’s Foot Perennial low creeping Leaves: obovate, white, cottony on the undersurface Flowers: White or pink flowers, sepal like bracts  May-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

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

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

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

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

Figwort Perennial, erect up to 1.2m Stems: rectangular, glandular hairs, quadrangular Leaves opposite, short stalked, oval, pointed, toothed, 10-12cm long, 3-5cm wide  Flowers: green/brown June-July

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

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

Meadowsweet Aromatic perennial. 60-120cm/2-4ft. Stems: stiff, upright, hairless Branched towards top. Leaves: long stalked, pinnate with 2-5 pairs of leaflets over 2cm long silvery below Stipules green above, downy beneath Flowers: dense clusters creamy white 5-6 petals, 25mm across June – October. Strong aroma

Melilotus Bushy perennial/biennial herb up to 1m/3ft, smooth erect stems, pinnately, trifoliate, oval leaves, white or yellow 5-6cm long flowers June - September. Hairless brown seed pods

Thistle cotton Biennial up to 2.5m covered with cotton like hair. Stems: erect Flowers: purple solitary July-September

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Figwort Perennial, erect up to 1.2m Stems: rectangular, glandular hairs, quadrangular Leaves opposite, short stalked, oval, pointed, toothed, 10-12cm long, 3-5cm wide  Flowers: green/brown June-July

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

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

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

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

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

Horse tail Perennial up to 90cm/3ft Cone bearing, hollow, grooved stems March-April

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Figwort Perennial, erect up to 1.2m Stems: rectangular, glandular hairs, quadrangular Leaves opposite, short stalked, oval, pointed, toothed, 10-12cm long, 3-5cm wide  Flowers: green/brown June-July

Woodruff sweet Perennial, hairless up to 30cm/1ft tall Upright, rectangular stems, unbranched, slender, quadrangular, brittle Leaves in whorls, 6-9 elliptical, pointed bristles on edges Flowers: white, forming loose heads, 4 petals April – June Fruit covered in hooked bristles

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

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.

Triangular

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

Woody

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

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

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

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