
Herbs and Herbalism
Plant ID
Flowers
Pink
Anemone wood -5-30cm/2-12in tall. Leaves
whorls of 3, 3 deep lobes. Flowers nod in slightest breeze white sometime pink
March-May
Balm - Herbaceous perennial. Height-90cm/3ft.
Stem-hairy and square. Leaves-hairy and lemon scented. Flower-small yellow buds
that turn into white or pink flowers June-August
Balm of gilead - Evergreen perennial
shrub. Height 120cm/4ft. Leaves-toothed, oval, aromatic. Stem-square, ridged,
prickly-woody after the 2ed year. Flowers-pink clusters late summer-early autumn
Basil African Blue - Sterile hybrid
that does not produce seeds. 4-5ft tall 12-16in spikes with pink/lavender blossoms
Basil wild - Perennial Square stems
40-75cm/16-30in tall. Slight aromatic, covered in hairs. Leaves opposite, mostly
oval. Flowers pink-purple dense whorls at base of upper leaves July- September
Bearberry - Evergreen shrub. Up to
8 inches. Trailing stems and branches. Leaves-dark green, ovate, leathery. Flowers-clusters,
white, pinkish flowers bloom May/June. Bright red berries in autumn.
Betony- Hardy perennial.60cm/2ft. Leaves-round,
lobed, hairy. Set in pairs along a hairy stem. Pink/purple flowers June-august.
Looks similar to a nettle
Bilberry - Deciduous shrub. Hairless
twigs, height 20-50cm/8-12in. Leaves oval, slight toothed. Flowers solitary,
drooping, green/pink April-June. Fruit – small, round, black July – September
Bindweed sea- Creeping stems Leaves: small, rounded Flowers: Pink large trumpet like June- August
Bogbean - Aquatic plant Leaves: trefoil
Flowers: pink outside, white inside fringed with long white hair May-June Fruit:
globular
Buckwheat - Heart shaped leaves. White-pale
pink flowers July-September. Three sided angular nuts
Bugle - Creeping biennial or perennial
10-30cm/4-12in tall with a square-ish stem. Flowers: little, blue, pink or white
April-July Leaves oval and shiny Europe
Catnip - Herbaceous perennial. Maximum
growing height 1m/3 ft Flowers-small white, pinkish July-September
Cat’s foot - Perennial Flowers: White or pink flowers May-August
Centaury - Annual or biennial Up to
60cm/2ft Root-woody and fibrous. Spoon shaped leaves. Pink/Red flowers July-September
five petals. Flowers open early morning but close around noon
Chicory -Perennial herb. 90-150cm/3-5
ft Thick yellow taproot, milky when broken. Lower leaves-long arrow shaped,
toothed and hairy underneath. Upper leaves smaller, stalk-less. Clear blue,
white or pink daisy like lowers in clusters July-September which close in the
evening and open in the morning Europe
Clove pink - Perennial semi-evergreen
Flowers: small pink/purple
Clover red - Perennial height and spread
20-60cm Flowers tubular pink/purple in round heads late spring
Clover white - Small, hairless perennial with creeping and rooting stems. Leaves: finely toothed leaflets with pale band across Flowers: white or pink or purple
Comfrey -Perennial height 90cm/3ft
Thick black tap root up to 3m/10ft deep. Stem-rough, hairy and square. Leaves
dark green, hairy pointed ovals. Blue-mauve Flowers May-October droop in paired
clusters white, cream, pink or mauve bellflowers
Cowberry - Small evergreen shrub 40cm/16in high. Leaves leathery, oval untoothed. Flowers pink or white open in clusters May – July. Fruits red, spherical
Cranberry - Creeping evergreen dwarf shrub. 50cm/20in high. Leaves dark green pointed, whitish beneath. Flowers pink with down turned petals June – August. Fruit round, mottled red
Crowberry - Small creeping shrub 30cm/12in high. Leaves linear, edges rolled under. Flowers small, pink April – June. Fruit shiny black when ripe
Dead nettle henbit Hairy annual up
to 30cm/12in high with square green/red stem. Leaves rounded bluntly toothed
top leaves partly clasping stem. Flowers pink/purple in whorls March – October
Dead nettle red -Purple tinged annual.
10-40cm/4-16in tall. Leaves in pairs, heart shaped, toothed, pointed. Flowers
pink/purple in whorls can flower all year round if mild
Dodder -Leafless red twining stems. Flowers tiny pink July- October. Twines anticlockwise over gorse and heather. Parasitic suckers
Enchanter’s nightshade - Slender stems
with opposite leaves that are stalked and oval with a heart shaped base and
pointed top 30-60cm/12-24in tall. Flowers white or pink tiny June – August
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
Foxglove -Biennial 1-2m/3-6ft tall.
Erect covered in soft hairs. Leaves: broad, blunt, finely toothed, soft green/grey
underneath. Flowers large drooping bells pink/purple with dark spots surrounded
by white rings inside each one of them June – September
Geranium - Perennial hairy shrub up
to 1m/3ft, pointed leaves, serrated at edges, small pink flowers
Germander hedge - Evergreen perennial
up to 36cm/14in Flowers lavender –pink
Great willowherb -80-180cm/32-72in
tall. Hairy stout. Leaves toothed, mostly opposite. Flowers: Bright purple/pink
July- August
Ground Ivy - Perennial 10-30cm/4-12in
Flowers: blue, purple, pink or white April – September
Heather - Short, evergreen shrub up
to 1m/3ft tall. Branched stems Leaves numerous in opposite rows, smooth or hairy.
Flowers purple, pink or white and bell shaped in spikes July – September
Hemp agrimony - Perennial 90-150cm/36-60in
Stems: red-purple tinged, stiff, erect Leaves: grey/green toothed, three lobed,
mostly paired. Flowers protruding stamens, massed together forming broad, flat
top clusters, usually pink/purple occasionally white.
Herb Robert - Annual. 10-45cm/4-20in
Hairy stems that are green tinged with red. Fern shaped leaves pink flowers
April- November Seeds: long beaked Strong smell
Hollyhock - Tall, leafy biennial or
perennial herb. Up to 3m/10ft. Flowers: pink, crimson, yellow, white July –
September
Jasmine - Perennial evergreen shrub
up to 10m/33ft, bright green leaves, star shaped white/pink flowers followed
by black berries
Knotgrass - Annual Flowers: white or
pink June-October
Lilac - Perennial Flowers: white, pink/mauve
or purple in summer
Liverleaf -About 15cm tall. Many basal
leaves. Leaf stems: long and hairy. Leaves glossy green above brownish/red to
violet below and 3-lobed. Flowers: singular on long hairy stems, 3 bracts. Flowers
2-3cm across with 5-10 violet or pink. March – April Fruits: hairy
Lungwort - Perennial up to 30cm/1ft
Flowers: Pink then turn blue tubular April-May
Mallow musk - Perennial Flowers: Rose,
pink July – August
Marjoram - Herbaceous perennial 60cm/2ft.
leaves oval, untoothed. Flowers pale pink/purple July – October
Marjoram pot - Herbaceous perennial
60cm/2ft. Square branched stems Leaves hairy, small. Flowers White or pink July
– October
Marshmallow - Perennial 90cm/3ft. Grey-green
leaves, White root Tall erect stems. Flowers June-September single pale pink
or white.
Mint spearmint - Perennial herb, bright
green lance shaped toothed leaves. Pink or lilac coloured flowers
Motherwort - Perennial up to 120cm/4ft
Flowers: mauve-pink on upper part of stem in summer
Oregano Spanish - Perennial creeping
herb, woody stem, small dark green leaves, pink or white flowers in clusters
Ragged Robin -20-70cm/8-28in Slender
erect stems can be branched and long slender opposite leaves. Base leaves are
oval spoon shaped and stalked Flowers bright purple/pink four narrow lobes per
petal May-August
Restharrow - Perennial, hairy. Low
growing, woody Flowers: bright pink. Stipules covered with tiny hairs attached
to leaf stalk June – September
Rose dog -Deciduous shrub. 3m/10ft
hooked prickles Oval toothed leaves 5-7 leaflets that are paired except the
one at end. Flowers June-July-5 petalled, pink or white, small clusters June/July
followed by bright red hips August –November
Rosebay willowherb-80-150cm/32-60in
tall Leaves: long, slender alternate, very slightly toothed. Flowers deep pink-purple
clustered in conical heads June – September
Sea Rocket - Up to 60cm/2ft. Leaves
fleshy, blue/green. Flowers: pink, violet, whitish and scented June –September
Teasel - Biennial 1-2m/3-6ft tall.
Dense rosette of stalked leaves in the first year. Second year stiff prickly
stems grow erect with paired untoothed slender leaves. Flowers egg shaped with
blunt top and a mass of pink, purple or lilac flowers July –August. Flowers
bracts – long and spiky
Thrift - Tufted perennial 10-20cm/4-8in
Leaves grass like rosettes. Stems hairy without leaves and single pink flower
head April –June Seeds papery
Thyme wild - Semi shrub or herb Creeping
plant with woody stems and runners 5-10cm/2-4in tall. Leaves very small oval
and arranged in opposing pairs. Flowers pink/purple June-August
Valerian - Herbaceous tall perennial.30-150cm/2-5ft.
Leaves-pinnate Pinkish flowers June – August strong smell
Valerian red -Perennial Stout, fleshy
plant thick erect stems up to 50-80cm/20-32in tall. Leaves grey/green of blue/green
paired and mostly untoothed. Stem leaves un-stalked, oval to spear shaped broad
bases that clasp around stem. Flowers red, pink or white star shaped in dense
fluffy heads June- august
Viper’s burgloss - Tall biennial 30-90cm/1-3ft covered in white bristly hair. Leaves: rosettes large stalked leaves may wither before flowering. Flowers pink buds June-September
Mallow common - Perennial herb height
90cm/3ft.. Fleshy taproot, slightly hairy erect stem. Dark green lobed leaves.
Pinkish, purple/bluish five petalled flowers April-October
Soapwort - Perennial hairless 30-90cm/1-3ft
tall upright stems Leaves: pale green lance shaped, opposite Flowers: pink,
5 petals June –September
Wintergreen umbellate- Perennial, shrubby, hairless up to 30cm/1ft. Ridged stem. Leaves dark green, short stalked, leathery, evergreen, lanceolata, toothed Flowers stalked 5 petals, pale pink June-July
Loosestrife purple - Up to 1.5m/5ft upright perennial Leaves: willow like Flowers pink/purple 6 petalled June - August
Rose damask - Small prickly shrub between 1-2m/3-6ft, pink flowers with 36 petals
Bistort - Hardy perennial. 90cm/3ft.Broad,
oval leaves, silvery hairs on the veins beneath. Flowers pink spikes, hairless
stem June-August
Blackberry -1m width 3-4m Leaves prickly,
toothed, red/purple in autumn. Flowers five petals pink or white May. Fruit
comprises of drupelets turning green to red to black August-October
Borage- Hardy 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
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 Mediterranean, Asia
Basil wild - Perennial Square stems
40-75cm/16-30in tall. Slight aromatic, covered in hairs. Leaves opposite, mostly
oval. Flowers pink-purple dense whorls at base of upper leaves July- September
Belladonna - Perennial plant. Thick,
whitish root, purplish stem. Height 60-150cm/2-5ft. Leaves-dark green, long
pointed oval. Drooping, bell shaped purple flowers, bloom June-August. Black
berries-August-November. Foul smell if plant is crushed.
Betony- Hardy perennial.60cm/2ft. Leaves-round,
lobed, hairy. Set in pairs along a hairy stem. Pink/purple flowers June-August.
Looks similar to a nettle
Bloody Cranesbill - Herbaceous perennial
up to 30cm/1ft tall and wide. Flowers: magenta purple
Burdock - Tall biennial plant. Up to
2m/6ft Leaves large oval. Purple flowers July-September followed by small green
burrs. Which are very sticky Europe
Burdock greater -Robust, erect plant 80-150cm/32-60in tall. Leaves alternate, 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
Calamintha - Bushy perennial less then
1m/3ft high, soft oval leaves, pale purple flowers Europe, Asia
Candytuft -Annual up to 30cm/1ft tall.
Flowers: white or mauve clusters
Cardoon - Perennial 120-180cm/4-6ft
Flowers: large buds, purple flowers which are 15cm/6in wide and thistle like
Chive - Hardy perennial. Up to 25cm/10in
Flower heads, round and mauve in colour June-July Europe
Cinquefoil marsh - Perennial, creeping
Leaves: grey/green pinnate with 3-5 leaflets Flowers: Dark purple star like
May-July Fruits: purple
Clove pink - Perennial semi-evergreen
Flowers: small pink/purple
Clover red - Perennial height and spread
20-60cm Flowers tubular pink/purple in round heads late spring
Clover white -Small, hairless perennial with creeping and rooting stems. Leaves: finely toothed leaflets with pale band across Flowers: white or pink or purple
Comfrey -Perennial height 90cm/3ft
Thick black tap root up to 3m/10ft deep. Stem-rough, hairy and square. Leaves
dark green, hairy pointed ovals. Blue-mauve Flowers May-October droop in paired
clusters white, cream, pink or mauve bellflowers
Coriander Annual. Maximum 60cm/2 ft
Leaves broad, oval, fern like and toothed. Clusters white. Pale mauve Flowers
between June and august. Seeds -small round and light brown. South Europe
Corncockle - Annual Leaves: long and
pointed in opposites Flowers: purple on individual stalks May-August Britain
Couch grass - Perennial. Flowers: purple
June-October
Cuckoo flower - Perennial. Flowers
start lilac turn white Spring- early summer Britain
Dead nettle henbit Hairy annual up
to 30cm/12in high with square green/red stem. Leaves rounded bluntly toothed
top leaves partly clasping stem. Flowers pink/purple in whorls March – October
Dead nettle red -Purple tinged annual.
10-40cm/4-16in tall. Leaves in pairs, heart shaped, toothed, pointed. Flowers
pink/purple in whorls can flower all year round if mild
Echinacea - Perennial up to 120cm/4ft
flowers mauve-purple midsummer –autumn
Eyebright - Annual 5-20cm/2-8in. Leaves
lanced shaped, hairy. Numerous white or lilac flowers June-September. Semi-parasitic
Europe
Foxglove -Biennial 1-2m/3-6ft tall.
Erect covered in soft hairs. Leaves: broad, blunt, finely toothed, soft green/grey
underneath. Flowers large drooping bells pink/purple with dark spots surrounded
by white rings inside each one of them June – September
Fumitory - Annual Flowers: Red/purple
May-September
Great willowherb -80-180cm/32-72in
tall. Hairy stout. Leaves toothed, mostly opposite. Flowers: Bright purple/pink
July- August
Ground Ivy - Perennial 10-30cm/4-12in
Flowers: blue, purple, pink or white April – September
Heather - Short, evergreen shrub up
to 1m/3ft tall. Branched stems Leaves numerous in opposite rows, smooth or hairy.
Flowers purple, pink or white and bell shaped in spikes July – September
Heather bell - Evergreen shrub up to
60cm/2ft. Leaves smooth in whorls of three with a short shoot in the leaf. Flowers:
bell shaped corolla tube with stamens hidden inside purple June – September
Hemp agrimony - Perennial 90-150cm/36-60in
Stems: red-purple tinged, stiff, erect Leaves: grey/green toothed, three lobed,
mostly paired. Flowers protruding stamens, massed together forming broad, flat
top clusters, usually pink/purple occasionally white.
Houndstongue - Biennial 40-70cm/16-28in
tall. Mousy smell. Long silky hairs Leaves: long tongue shaped Flowers blood
red – purple June – August Fruits: flattened, spiny which sticks to clothes
and animal fur
Jaborandi - Woody shrub up to 2m/6ft,
smooth grey bark, large brown leaves, red/purple flowers
Labdanum - Small sticky shrub up to
3m/10ft tall, lanced shaped leaves which are white are furry on the underneath,
white flowers
Lilac - Perennial Flowers: white, pink/mauve
or purple in summer
Mallow tree - Stout biennial with woody
stems at base up to 300cm/10ft tall. Leaves: soft hairy slightly lobed. Flowers:
purple with darker purple veins. July-September Fruit: yellowish wrinkled
Marjoram - Herbaceous perennial 60cm/2ft.
leaves oval, untoothed. Flowers pale pink/purple July – October
Marjoram wild - Perennial 75cm/30in
Stems: square Leaves: oval pointed Flowers: purple, 2 lipped August – October.
Aromatic
Mint cornmint - Herb up to 60cm/2ft,
leafy stem, lance shaped leaves, lilac flowers
Mint Corsican - Perennial Flowers:
lilac
Mint spearmint - Perennial herb, bright
green lance shaped toothed leaves. Pink or lilac coloured flowers
Mint water - Perennial Rough, hairy
mint up to 60cm/2ft tall. Leaves tinged with purple, opposing pairs. Flowers
blue/lilac bushy head July – September
Pansy wild - Annual/perennial Flowers
yellow – purple 15mm/˝in across. May – September
Ragged Robin -20-70cm/8-28in Slender
erect stems can be branched and long slender opposite leaves. Base leaves are
oval spoon shaped and stalked Flowers bright purple/pink four narrow lobes per
petal May-August
Rosebay willowherb-80-150cm/32-60in
tall Leaves: long, slender alternate, very slightly toothed. Flowers deep pink-purple
clustered in conical heads June – September
Rue goats - Perennial bushy up to 90cm/3ft.
Flowers: purple, blue or white midsummer – mid autumn followed by long pods
Sage clary - Perennial herb. 60cm/2ft
Large wrinkled leaves, in pairs. Flowers-pale lilac July-September. Seeds brown
and flattish ripen around August
Sage common - Evergreen perennial shrub.
Maximum 75cm/2.5 ft. Low growing. Grey/green oblong leaves and hairy. Purple
whorl flowers. Woody at base
Sage Spanish - Evergreen shrub, small
purple flowers
Summer savoury - Annual herb up to
45cm/1˝ ft, slender erect slightly hairy purple stems, small pale lilac flowers
Savoury winter - Bushy perennial evergreen
sub shrub up to 40cm/16in, pale purple flowers
Sea stock - Herbaceous thick fleshy
stems grey/green Flowers: pale lilac May-August Lower leaves deep wavy outline
notched or toothed
Self heal -Perennial 15-30cm/6-12in
tall covered in tiny hairs. Stem square Leaves slightly stalked oval to diamond
shaped toothed or untoothed Flowers purplish clustered in dense oblong shaped
heads June- November Pair of leaves directly under flower head
Skullcap - Perennial. Leaves soft,
heart shaped at base Ľ - 2 Ľ in long, serrated edges Flowers blue/purple/lavender
tube shaped and hooded May-August
Snakeroot - Up to 35cm/14in, hairy
stem, two kidney shaped leaves, creeping stockroot, brown/purple bell shaped
flower that is white inside America
Speedwell Heath - Perennial. Leaves
up to 5cm/2in long Flowers: lilac May-August
Teasel - Biennial 1-2m/3-6ft tall.
Dense rosette of stalked leaves in the first year. Second year stiff prickly
stems grow erect with paired untoothed slender leaves. Flowers egg shaped with
blunt top and a mass of pink, purple or lilac flowers July –August. Flowers
bracts – long and spiky
Thistle carline -Biennial with purplish
flowering stems up to 30cm/12in with 1-5 flower heads. Stiff, shiny inner bracts
spread about the flower head like ray florets to close up at night or in bad
weather July –September
Thistle cotton- Biennial up to 2.5m
covered with cotton like hair. Stems: erect Flowers: purple solitary July-September
Thistle milk - Spiny annual/biennial
up to 1.5m/5ft tall. Leaves dark green, spiny with intricate white veins. Flowers
purple June – August bracts end in yellow spines
Thyme common - Evergreen perennial
shrub Maximum growing height 38cm/15in. Stems: woody Green/grey leaves tiny
whorls of lilac flowers July – August
Thyme wild - Semi shrub or herb Creeping
plant with woody stems and runners 5-10cm/2-4in tall. Leaves very small oval
and arranged in opposing pairs. Flowers pink/purple June-August
Tufted vetch -80-200cm/32-80in tall,
climber Slender branched stems. Leaves alternate like tiny ladders, 6-15 pair’s
tiny leaflets. Flowers Blue-purple long dense heads June – August
Verbena Lemon - Deciduous perennial
bushy shrub up to 150cm/5ft, woody stem, small pale purple flowers in clusters
South America, Mediterranean
Vervain - Herbaceous perennial. Bushy.
Stiff, square stems Height 60-90cm/2-3ft.Leaves: grey/green spear shaped Flowers:
2 lipped lilac small June-October
Yarrow - Perennial ferny herb Rough, angular stem. Dark green feathery leaves. Large flat topped clusters of white or pale lilac flowers that bloom June-December. Height 60cm/2ft aromatic
Aconite -A hardy perennial, which grows
to 60-90cm/2-3ft tall. Stems: strong, un-branched Dark green and glossy leaves
above, whitish underneath. Leaves all the way up the stem, stalked and divided.
Purple or blue flowers 5 petals in June-August tuberous root Fruit a follicle
with 3-5 seeds Europe
Columbine - Perennial herb. Height
60-90cm/2-3 ft Tall, erect Flowers blue-purplish, funnel shaped. 5 petals it’s
petals resemble an eagle’s talon May-June Seed pods
Mallow common - Perennial herb height
90cm/3ft.. Fleshy taproot, slightly hairy erect stem. Dark green lobed leaves.
Pinkish, purple/bluish five petalled flowers April-October
Loosestrife purple - Up to 1.5m/5ft
upright perennial Leaves: willow like Flowers pink/purple 6 petalled June -
August
Gay feather - Perennial up to 60cm/2ft.
Grassy foliage Flowers: lilac-purple fluffy spikes July-September
Hedge woundwort -60-100cm/24-40in tall. Stems: square, erect, soft hair. Leaves: paired, short stalks, toothed, heart shaped and pointed (similar to nettle leaves), basal leaves long stalked. Flowers in spikes, dull red/purple whorls forming at the base of upper leaves June -September
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