
Herbs and Herbalism
Plant ID
Europe - Trees
Evergreen
Holly Evergreen tree. Up to 21mm/70ft. Lower
leaves-alternate, spiky, dark green. Higher leaves-oval/ Red blossoms followed
by red berries November/December. Bark smooth grey. Small white 5 petals flowers
in May/June
Juniper Evergreen conifer. Up to 1.5-3.5m/4-12ft. Stem: reddish Leaves prickly needles in whorls of three Flowers small yellow at base of leaves May – June Fruit green berry like cone in June ripens to dark purple berries September or October
Alder –Common Black-Tree which grows over
90 ft
Black or dark grey bark that is very wrinkled.
The leaves open in April and are rounded and
inverted heart shape with the broadest part furthest away from the stem. With
a toothed edge and blunt tip. They are light green when they 1st open but gradually
get darker before falling in November. The leaf bud is enclosed in a brown/yellow
pair of bud scales which peel back as the leaf opens The leaves are sticky when
young as a gum is produced to ward off moisture. Alternate
The male flowers are arranged in catkins and
are visible in winter as brown oval buds. In march they form into lambs tails.
The female ones are a cluster of small flowers, which develop, into woody cones
with small winged nutlets. The cones are green at 1st but become hard and woody.
It matures aged 30 and can live up to 150 years. Many tiny roots
Carob Evergreen tree. Up to 10m Trunk: short
and grey/brown bark Leaves dark green divided into pairs of oblong rounded leaflets,
lighter on underside Flowers: green May-October Pods 10-30cm long, 3-5cm broad,
containing dark brown seeds
Elder Large deciduous bush or tree up to 10m/33ft.
with a corky bark. Buds set on alternative twigs. Leaves-5 to 7 leaflets large
dark green with toothed margins, opposite, pinnate. Flowers-white umbels of
numerous flowers, yellow anthers, four petals May and June. Bark-pale yellow/brown.
Berry bunches –clusters of small purple-black fruit end of summer. Straight
growing branches
Sea buckthorn Branched shrub or small tree Up to 6m Thorny, red/brown branches Leaves: alternate, dark green Flowers: yellow March-April Fruit: orange berry
Alder –Common Black-Tree which grows over
90 ft
Black or dark grey bark that is very wrinkled.
The leaves open in April and are rounded and
inverted heart shape with the broadest part furthest away from the stem. With
a toothed edge and blunt tip. They are light green when they 1st open but gradually
get darker before falling in November. The leaf bud is enclosed in a brown/yellow
pair of bud scales which peel back as the leaf opens The leaves are sticky when
young as a gum is produced to ward off moisture. Alternate
The male flowers are arranged in catkins and
are visible in winter as brown oval buds. In march they form into lambs tails.
The female ones are a cluster of small flowers, which develop, into woody cones
with small winged nutlets. The cones are green at 1st but become hard and woody.
It matures aged 30 and can live up to 150 years. Many tiny roots
Aspen Deciduous. Up to 25m/80ft Lives 50-60 years. Thin green/grey bark. Shiny brown, sticky, pointed buds. Egg shaped leaves. Catkins 2-3 inches long like furry caterpillars. Male catkins contain bunches of furry stamen with purple/red heads surrounded by fluffy grey down. Female have no stamen. Flowers: April
Aspen Deciduous. Up to 25m/80ft Lives 50-60
years. Thin green/grey bark. Shiny brown, sticky, pointed buds. Egg shaped leaves.
Catkins 2-3 inches long like furry caterpillars. Male catkins contain bunches
of furry stamen with purple/red heads surrounded by fluffy grey down. Female
have no stamen. Flowers: April
Carob Evergreen tree. Up to 10m Trunk: short
and grey/brown bark Leaves dark green divided into pairs of oblong rounded leaflets,
lighter on underside Flowers: green May-October Pods 10-30cm long, 3-5cm broad,
containing dark brown seeds
Holly Evergreen tree. Up to 21mm/70ft. Lower
leaves-alternate, spiky, dark green. Higher leaves-oval/ Red blossoms followed
by red berries November/December. Bark smooth grey. Small white 5 petals flowers
in May/June
Rowan Small deciduous tree up to 20m/66ft
tall with smooth grey bark Leaves alternate, toothed, leaflets in 5-10pairs
Flowers small, white in umbel May, five petals, five sepals. Red berry clusters
6-9mm. August – November
Sea buckthorn Branched shrub or small tree Up to 6m Thorny, red/brown branches Leaves: alternate, dark green Flowers: yellow March-April Fruit: orange berry
Ash grey bark. Height up to 148 ft girth of
22 ft Lives up to 150 years. Black buds Tall, long slender branches. Silvery-grey
bark, matt black buds & ash keys.
Mature 4-50 years old. Grow up to 130 ft.
Leaves made up of 9 or 13 leaflets. One of
the last to come into leaf in spring and the 1st to drop in autumn.
The leaflets have a conduit for water to run down their centre stem
Flowers in April or May. Purple headed stamens
no petals.
Seeds green bottled shaped
When the flower drops lime green keys are
left (also known as spinners due to the way they spin when thrown)
Deeply rooted and tend to exhaust the soil
to little grows under it
Beech 36m/120ft Silver-grey trunk. Pointed
buds. Leaves bright green, oval, alternate, turn bronze in autumn. Flowers male
dropping stalked heads, female in pairs. Fruit four inside prickly brown husk
September-October deciduous tree Only fruits every 3-4 years
Birch Silver Deciduous tree up to 30m. Soft
wood. Silver trunk. Leaves ace of spades shape, small; and pointed double toothed
edged light green, short stalked
Male and female flowers on the same tree April-May
Fir silver Coniferous tree up to 55m/180ft
Age up to 500 years. Bark-silvery grey. Needles. Male flowers are yellow, female
green form cones in September
Elder Large deciduous bush or tree up to 10m/33ft. with a corky bark. Buds set on alternative twigs. Leaves-5 to 7 leaflets large dark green with toothed margins, opposite, pinnate. Flowers-white umbels of numerous flowers, yellow anthers, four petals May and June. Bark-pale yellow/brown. Berry bunches –clusters of small purple-black fruit end of summer. Straight growing branches
Carob Evergreen tree. Up to 10m Trunk: short
and grey/brown bark Leaves dark green divided into pairs of oblong rounded leaflets,
lighter on underside Flowers: green May-October Pods 10-30cm long, 3-5cm broad,
containing dark brown seeds
Chestnut sweet Tall, uneven deciduous tree 30m/100ft tall. Leaves single spear headed serrated, leathery 15-30cm long, 6-8cm wide. Flowers catkins have yellow male flowers towards the end, green female part below. Fruit two or three in spherical green cases with long spines October- November
Fir silver Coniferous tree up to 55m/180ft Age up to 500 years. Bark-silvery grey. Needles. Male flowers are yellow, female green form cones in September
Almond sweet Tree Flowers: white or pink late
January
Apple Deciduous Grows up to 9m/30ft with a
girth of 3m/10ft.
Oval leaves with wedge shaped base. Bright
green on top, pale underneath. Purplish buds with white hair White flowers (wild),
pink tinged flowers & thorn-less (domestic) open April – May
Ash grey bark. Height up to 148 ft girth of
22 ft Lives up to 150 years. Black buds Tall, long slender branches. Silvery-grey
bark, matt black buds & ash keys.
Mature 4-50 years old. Grow up to 130 ft.
Leaves made up of 9 or 13 leaflets. One of
the last to come into leaf in spring and the 1st to drop in autumn.
The leaflets have a conduit for water to run down their centre stem
Flowers in April or May. Purple headed stamens
no petals.
Seeds green bottled shaped
When the flower drops lime green keys are
left (also known as spinners due to the way they spin when thrown)
Deeply rooted and tend to exhaust the soil to little grows under it
Holly Evergreen tree. Up to 21mm/70ft. Lower
leaves-alternate, spiky, dark green. Higher leaves-oval/ Red blossoms followed
by red berries November/December. Bark smooth grey. Small white 5 petals flowers
in May/June
Larch European Deciduous conifer. Can live
up to 700 years old. Female flowers bright red, male flowers – yellow
Pomegranate Small tree or shrub up to 5m. Dark green shiny mostly opposite oval or lanceolata short stalked leaves, red flowers June-October
Almond sweet Tree Flowers: white or pink late
January
Apple Deciduous Grows up to 9m/30ft with a
girth of 3m/10ft.
Oval leaves with wedge shaped base. Bright
green on top, pale underneath. Purplish buds with white hair White flowers (wild),
pink tinged flowers & thorn-less (domestic) open April – May
lder Large deciduous bush or tree up to 10m/33ft.
with a corky bark. Buds set on alternative twigs. Leaves-5 to 7 leaflets large
dark green with toothed margins, opposite, pinnate. Flowers-white umbels of
numerous flowers, yellow anthers, four petals May and June. Bark-pale yellow/brown.
Berry bunches –clusters of small purple-black fruit end of summer. Straight
growing branches
Horse Chestnut Deciduous tree up to 30m. Large
leaves, white flowers tinged with yellow or pink at the base May-June. The seeds
(conkers) are grown and grown in a green prickly shell.
Rowan Small deciduous tree up to 20m/66ft
tall with smooth grey bark Leaves alternate, toothed, leaflets in 5-10pairs
Flowers small, white in umbel May, five petals, five sepals. Red berry clusters
6-9mm. August – November
Medlar Deciduous tree up to 6m/20ft tall. Leaves alternate crinkled white hairs beneath, Flowers solitary five white petals with longer green sepals May – June. Fruit resembles a giant brown rosehip with the five tailed calyx protruding from the head of the fruit like a crown
Chestnut sweet Tall, uneven deciduous tree 30m/100ft tall. Leaves single spear headed serrated, leathery 15-30cm long, 6-8cm wide. Flowers catkins have yellow male flowers towards the end, green female part below. Fruit two or three in spherical green cases with long spines October- November
Fir silver Coniferous tree up to 55m/180ft
Age up to 500 years. Bark-silvery grey. Needles. Male flowers are yellow, female
green form cones in September
Juniper Evergreen conifer. Up to 1.5-3.5m/4-12ft.
Stem: reddish Leaves prickly needles in whorls of three Flowers small yellow
at base of leaves May – June Fruit green berry like cone in June ripens to dark
purple berries September or October
Larch European Deciduous conifer. Can live
up to 700 years old. Female flowers bright red, male flowers – yellow
Linden Tall deciduous tree up to 45m/150ft.
Dark brown trunk. Leaves large heart shaped smooth above paler with a few tufts
of fine white hair below. Flowers drooping clusters of heavily scented yellow
blossom July
Sea buckthorn Branched shrub or small tree Up to 6m Thorny, red/brown branches Leaves: alternate, dark green Flowers: yellow March-April Fruit: orange berry
Elder Large deciduous bush or tree up to 10m/33ft. with a corky bark. Buds set on alternative twigs. Leaves-5 to 7 leaflets large dark green with toothed margins, opposite, pinnate. Flowers-white umbels of numerous flowers, yellow anthers, four petals May and June. Bark-pale yellow/brown. Berry bunches –clusters of small purple-black fruit end of summer. Straight growing branches
Orange
Sea buckthorn Branched shrub or small tree
Up to 6m Thorny, red/brown branches Leaves: alternate, dark green Flowers: yellow
March-April Fruit: orange berry
Purple
Juniper Evergreen conifer. Up to 1.5-3.5m/4-12ft. Stem: reddish Leaves prickly needles in whorls of three Flowers small yellow at base of leaves May – June Fruit green berry like cone in June ripens to dark purple berries September or October
Red
Rowan Small deciduous tree up to 20m/66ft tall with smooth grey bark Leaves alternate, toothed, leaflets in 5-10pairs Flowers small, white in umbel May, five petals, five sepals. Red berry clusters 6-9mm. August – November
Beech 36m/120ft Silver-grey trunk. Pointed
buds. Leaves bright green, oval, alternate, turn bronze in autumn. Flowers male
dropping stalked heads, female in pairs. Fruit four inside prickly brown husk
September-October deciduous tree Only fruits every 3-4 years
Holly Evergreen tree. Up to 21mm/70ft. Lower
leaves-alternate, spiky, dark green. Higher leaves-oval/ Red blossoms followed
by red berries November/December. Bark smooth grey. Small white 5 petals flowers
in May/June
Medlar Deciduous tree up to 6m/20ft tall.
Leaves alternate crinkled white hairs beneath, Flowers solitary five white petals
with longer green sepals May – June. Fruit resembles a giant brown rosehip with
the five tailed calyx protruding from the head of the fruit like a crown
Oak Deciduous tree up to 35m/115ft with a broad domed crown Leaves bright green alternate wavy edged. Flowers May-June Acorns
Rowan Small deciduous tree up to 20m/66ft
tall with smooth grey bark Leaves alternate, toothed, leaflets in 5-10pairs
Flowers small, white in umbel May, five petals, five sepals. Red berry clusters
6-9mm. August – November
Walnut Large deciduous tree up to 25m. Trunk: broad Leaves: green, alternate, seven-nine leaflets 5-10cm long, 3-4cm wide, Flowers May – June Fruit: light brown
Alder –Common Black-Tree which grows over
90 ft
Black or dark grey bark that is very wrinkled.
The leaves open in April and are rounded and
inverted heart shape with the broadest part furthest away from the stem. With
a toothed edge and blunt tip. They are light green when they 1st open but gradually
get darker before falling in November. The leaf bud is enclosed in a brown/yellow
pair of bud scales which peel back as the leaf opens The leaves are sticky when
young as a gum is produced to ward off moisture. Alternate
The male flowers are arranged in catkins and are visible in winter as brown oval buds. In march they form into lambs tails. The female ones are a cluster of small flowers, which develop, into woody cones with small winged nutlets. The cones are green at 1st but become hard and woody. It matures aged 30 and can live up to 150 years. Many tiny roots
Beech 36m/120ft Silver-grey trunk. Pointed buds. Leaves bright green, oval, alternate, turn bronze in autumn. Flowers male dropping stalked heads, female in pairs. Fruit four inside prickly brown husk September-October deciduous tree Only fruits every 3-4 years
Carob Evergreen tree. Up to 10m Trunk: short
and grey/brown bark Leaves dark green divided into pairs of oblong rounded leaflets,
lighter on underside Flowers: green May-October Pods 10-30cm long, 3-5cm broad,
containing dark brown seeds
lder Large deciduous bush or tree up to 10m/33ft.
with a corky bark. Buds set on alternative twigs. Leaves-5 to 7 leaflets large
dark green with toothed margins, opposite, pinnate. Flowers-white umbels of
numerous flowers, yellow anthers, four petals May and June. Bark-pale yellow/brown.
Berry bunches –clusters of small purple-black fruit end of summer. Straight
growing branches
Holly Evergreen tree. Up to 21mm/70ft. Lower leaves-alternate, spiky, dark green. Higher leaves-oval/ Red blossoms followed by red berries November/December. Bark smooth grey. Small white 5 petals flowers in May/June
Aspen Deciduous. Up to 25m/80ft Lives 50-60 years. Thin green/grey bark. Shiny brown, sticky, pointed buds. Egg shaped leaves. Catkins 2-3 inches long like furry caterpillars. Male catkins contain bunches of furry stamen with purple/red heads surrounded by fluffy grey down. Female have no stamen. Flowers: April
Frangula Small thornless tree. Leaves: broadly elliptical, smooth.
Alder –Common Black-Tree which grows over
90 ft
Black or dark grey bark that is very wrinkled.
The leaves open in April and are rounded and
inverted heart shape with the broadest part furthest away from the stem. With
a toothed edge and blunt tip. They are light green when they 1st open but gradually
get darker before falling in November. The leaf bud is enclosed in a brown/yellow
pair of bud scales which peel back as the leaf opens The leaves are sticky when
young as a gum is produced to ward off moisture. Alternate
The male flowers are arranged in catkins and
are visible in winter as brown oval buds. In march they form into lambs tails.
The female ones are a cluster of small flowers, which develop, into woody cones
with small winged nutlets. The cones are green at 1st but become hard and woody.
It matures aged 30 and can live up to 150 years. Many tiny roots
Pomegranate Small tree or shrub up to 5m. Dark green shiny mostly opposite oval or lanceolata short stalked leaves, red flowers June-October
Ash grey bark. Height up to 148 ft girth of
22 ft Lives up to 150 years. Black buds Tall, long slender branches. Silvery-grey
bark, matt black buds & ash keys.
Mature 4-50 years old. Grow up to 130 ft.
Leaves made up of 9 or 13 leaflets. One of
the last to come into leaf in spring and the 1st to drop in autumn.
The leaflets have a conduit for water to run down their centre stem
Flowers in April or May. Purple headed stamens
no petals.
Seeds green bottled shaped
When the flower drops lime green keys are
left (also known as spinners due to the way they spin when thrown)
Deeply rooted and tend to exhaust the soil
to little grows under it
Elder Large deciduous bush or tree up to 10m/33ft.
with a corky bark. Buds set on alternative twigs. Leaves-5 to 7 leaflets large
dark green with toothed margins, opposite, pinnate. Flowers-white umbels of
numerous flowers, yellow anthers, four petals May and June. Bark-pale yellow/brown.
Berry bunches –clusters of small purple-black fruit end of summer. Straight
growing branches
Rowan Small deciduous tree up to 20m/66ft
tall with smooth grey bark Leaves alternate, toothed, leaflets in 5-10pairs
Flowers small, white in umbel May, five petals, five sepals. Red berry clusters
6-9mm. August – November
Walnut Large deciduous tree up to 25m. Trunk: broad Leaves: green, alternate, seven-nine leaflets 5-10cm long, 3-4cm wide, Flowers May – June Fruit: light brown
Carob Evergreen tree. Up to 10m Trunk: short and grey/brown bark Leaves dark green divided into pairs of oblong rounded leaflets, lighter on underside Flowers: green May-October Pods 10-30cm long, 3-5cm broad, containing dark brown seeds
Carob Evergreen tree. Up to 10m Trunk: short and grey/brown bark Leaves dark green divided into pairs of oblong rounded leaflets, lighter on underside Flowers: green May-October Pods 10-30cm long, 3-5cm broad, containing dark brown seeds
lder Large deciduous bush or tree up to 10m/33ft.
with a corky bark. Buds set on alternative twigs. Leaves-5 to 7 leaflets large
dark green with toothed margins, opposite, pinnate. Flowers-white umbels of
numerous flowers, yellow anthers, four petals May and June. Bark-pale yellow/brown.
Berry bunches –clusters of small purple-black fruit end of summer. Straight
growing branches
Pomegranate Small tree or shrub up to 5m. Dark green shiny mostly opposite oval or lanceolata short stalked leaves, red flowers June-October
Apple Deciduous Grows up to 9m/30ft with a
girth of 3m/10ft.
Oval leaves with wedge shaped base. Bright
green on top, pale underneath. Purplish buds with white hair White flowers (wild),
pink tinged flowers & thorn-less (domestic) open April – May
Beech 36m/120ft Silver-grey trunk. Pointed buds. Leaves bright green, oval, alternate, turn bronze in autumn. Flowers male dropping stalked heads, female in pairs. Fruit four inside prickly brown husk September-October deciduous tree Only fruits every 3-4 years
Pomegranate Small tree or shrub up to 5m. Dark green shiny mostly opposite oval or lanceolata short stalked leaves, red flowers June-October
lder Large deciduous bush or tree up to 10m/33ft. with a corky bark. Buds set on alternative twigs. Leaves-5 to 7 leaflets large dark green with toothed margins, opposite, pinnate. Flowers-white umbels of numerous flowers, yellow anthers, four petals May and June. Bark-pale yellow/brown. Berry bunches –clusters of small purple-black fruit end of summer. Straight growing branches
Juniper Evergreen conifer. Up to 1.5-3.5m/4-12ft. Stem: reddish Leaves prickly needles in whorls of three Flowers small yellow at base of leaves May – June Fruit green berry like cone in June ripens to dark purple berries September or October
Alder –Common Black-Tree which grows over
90 ft
Black or dark grey bark that is very wrinkled.
The leaves open in April and are rounded and
inverted heart shape with the broadest part furthest away from the stem. With
a toothed edge and blunt tip. They are light green when they 1st open but gradually
get darker before falling in November. The leaf bud is enclosed in a brown/yellow
pair of bud scales which peel back as the leaf opens The leaves are sticky when
young as a gum is produced to ward off moisture. Alternate
The male flowers are arranged in catkins and
are visible in winter as brown oval buds. In march they form into lambs tails.
The female ones are a cluster of small flowers, which develop, into woody cones
with small winged nutlets. The cones are green at 1st but become hard and woody.
It matures aged 30 and can live up to 150 years. Many tiny roots
Carob Evergreen tree. Up to 10m Trunk: short
and grey/brown bark Leaves dark green divided into pairs of oblong rounded leaflets,
lighter on underside Flowers: green May-October Pods 10-30cm long, 3-5cm broad,
containing dark brown seeds
Chestnut sweet Tall, uneven deciduous tree 30m/100ft tall. Leaves single spear headed serrated, leathery 15-30cm long, 6-8cm wide. Flowers catkins have yellow male flowers towards the end, green female part below. Fruit two or three in spherical green cases with long spines October- November
Chestnut sweet Tall, uneven deciduous tree 30m/100ft tall. Leaves single spear headed serrated, leathery 15-30cm long, 6-8cm wide. Flowers catkins have yellow male flowers towards the end, green female part below. Fruit two or three in spherical green cases with long spines October- November
Holly Evergreen tree. Up to 21mm/70ft. Lower leaves-alternate, spiky, dark green. Higher leaves-oval/ Red blossoms followed by red berries November/December. Bark smooth grey. Small white 5 petals flowers in May/June
Birch Silver Deciduous tree up to 30m. Soft
wood. Silver trunk. Leaves ace of spades shape, small; and pointed double toothed
edged light green, short stalked
Male and female flowers on the same tree April-May
Pomegranate Small tree or shrub up to 5m. Dark green shiny mostly opposite oval or lanceolata short stalked leaves, red flowers June-October
Alder –Common Black-Tree which grows over
90 ft
Black or dark grey bark that is very wrinkled.
The leaves open in April and are rounded and
inverted heart shape with the broadest part furthest away from the stem. With
a toothed edge and blunt tip. They are light green when they 1st open but gradually
get darker before falling in November. The leaf bud is enclosed in a brown/yellow
pair of bud scales which peel back as the leaf opens The leaves are sticky when
young as a gum is produced to ward off moisture. Alternate
The male flowers are arranged in catkins and
are visible in winter as brown oval buds. In march they form into lambs tails.
The female ones are a cluster of small flowers, which develop, into woody cones
with small winged nutlets. The cones are green at 1st but become hard and woody.
It matures aged 30 and can live up to 150 years. Many tiny roots
Birch Silver Deciduous tree up to 30m. Soft
wood. Silver trunk. Leaves ace of spades shape, small; and pointed double toothed
edged light green, short stalked
Male and female flowers on the same tree April-May
lder Large deciduous bush or tree up to 10m/33ft.
with a corky bark. Buds set on alternative twigs. Leaves-5 to 7 leaflets large
dark green with toothed margins, opposite, pinnate. Flowers-white umbels of
numerous flowers, yellow anthers, four petals May and June. Bark-pale yellow/brown.
Berry bunches –clusters of small purple-black fruit end of summer. Straight
growing branches
Rowan Small deciduous tree up to 20m/66ft
tall with smooth grey bark Leaves alternate, toothed, leaflets in 5-10pairs
Flowers small, white in umbel May, five petals, five sepals. Red berry clusters
6-9mm. August – November
Apple Deciduous Grows up to 9m/30ft with a
girth of 3m/10ft.
Oval leaves with wedge shaped base. Bright green on top, pale underneath. Purplish buds with white hair White flowers (wild), pink tinged flowers & thorn-less (domestic) open April – May
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