Herbs and Herbalism

Plant ID

UK 

Stems

Black

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

Angelica Wild Perennial herb up to 1.5m/5ft tall Stems – branched, ridged, hollow Leaves: purple-ish 2 or 3 pinnate with the lobes further divided and stalked Flowers: dense white or pink tinged umbels July – 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.

Blackberry 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

Broom Perennial, deciduous branched shrub up to 2m fairly straight, erect branches tall Leaves: lower leaves are alternate, trifoliate whilst higher leaves sessile Flowers: yellow May-June Fruit: elongated, hairy pods green-black

Fluellen Branched annual Leaves: grey-green, round, oval

Gratiola Perennial, hairless Erect branching stems up to 30cm/1ft Leaves opposite, lanceolate, pointed, un-stalked, finely toothed, sessile Flowers white, solitary, tubular, fine stamens June-August

Hemlock Biennial, hairless up to 1.5m/5ft stems: erect, branched, purple hollow, spotted fowl smelling when crushed Feathery foliage Flowers small white umbels June – August Fruit, tiny, rounded

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

St John’s Wort Perennial 40-80cm/16-32in tall Hairless stiff, erect branched stems. Leaves untoothed, un-stalked opposite, sessile and oval. Flowers yellow, 5 petals, clusters black dots many stamens, no nectar May – September

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

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

Box Evergreen shrub or tree. Up to 2-5m/6-15ft Grey brown bark Leaves: small, thick, glossy. Flowers pale green/yellow petal-less

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

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.

Betony Hardy perennial.60cm/2ft. Stems: upright, hairy Leaves-round, lobed, hairy. Set in pairs along a hairy stem. Basal leaves up to 7cm long, ovate or obtuse, cordate base Red/purple flowers tight oblong spikes June-August. Looks similar to a nettle

Broom Perennial, deciduous branched shrub up to 2m fairly straight, erect branches tall Leaves: lower leaves are alternate, trifoliate whilst higher leaves sessile Flowers: yellow May-June Fruit: elongated, hairy pods green-black

Feverfew Perennial plant. Up to 60cm/2ft. Stem: downy, erect Leaves: light yellow/green, divided toothed lobes, alternate, stalked, ovate, pinnate, entire or crenate margin Flowers: white or yellow July –September Short lived, 2cm diameter Aromatic

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

Flax Annual, hairless up to 90-120cm/3-4ft. Erect stem Leaves: lance shaped to 4cm Flowers: solitary, 5 petals, pale blue saucer shape 1 ˝ cm across 3-5 white veins June – July Seeds flat, shiny and brown 5-6mm

Foxglove Biennial or perennial 1-2m/3-6ft tall. Stems: Erect, unbranched covered in soft hairs. Leaves: ovate, opposite, broad, blunt, finely toothed, soft green/grey underneath, 10-30cm long up to 10cm wide, sub-acute apex, crenate margin. Flowers large drooping bells pink/purple with dark spots surrounded by white rings inside each one of them June – September

Gratiola Perennial, hairless Erect branching stems up to 30cm/1ft Leaves opposite, lanceolate, pointed, un-stalked, finely toothed, sessile Flowers white, solitary, tubular, fine stamens June-August

Hemlock Biennial, hairless up to 1.5m/5ft stems: erect, branched, purple hollow, spotted fowl smelling when crushed Feathery foliage Flowers small white umbels June – August Fruit, tiny, rounded

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

St John’s Wort Perennial 40-80cm/16-32in tall Hairless stiff, erect branched stems. Leaves untoothed, un-stalked opposite, sessile and oval. Flowers yellow, 5 petals, clusters black dots many stamens, no nectar May – September

Tormentil Creeping, perennial, hairy, erect stems Low growing plant up to 10cm Leaves: 3 toothed leaflets with two basal leaves like stipules giving a 5-fingered effect. trefoil root leaves, stem leaves with 5 leaflets, serrate Flowers: 4 sepals and petals yellow May-September

Ground Ivy Perennial, evergreen creeping 10-30cm/4-12in erect, square, unbranched, purplish hairy stems Leaves: opposite, kidney shaped, hairy, serrated, rounded, blunt tipped Flowers: paired or in 3s blue, purple, pink or white, two lipped April – September

Feverfew Perennial plant. Up to 60cm/2ft. Stem: downy, erect Leaves: light yellow/green, divided toothed lobes, alternate, stalked, ovate, pinnate, entire or crenate margin Flowers: white or yellow July –September Short lived, 2cm diameter Aromatic

Thorn apple Annual up to 1m/3ft in height hairless, coarse, branched Root: large, fibrous Stem: erect, stout Leaves: petiolate, alternate, ovate, toothed, veined up to 25cm long, 15cm wide, sinuous-dentate irregular teeth Flowers: white or purple tubular or trumpet shaped June – October Fruit: green spiny. Unpleasant smell

Cowbane Perennial. Stem: rigid, hollow, furrowed Basal leaves: long stalked. Upper leaves divide into three and three again Flowers: white umbels July – August

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

Box Evergreen shrub or tree. Up to 2-5m/6-15ft Grey brown bark Leaves: small, thick, glossy. Flowers pale green/yellow petal-less

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

Betony Hardy perennial.60cm/2ft. Stems: upright, hairy Leaves-round, lobed, hairy. Set in pairs along a hairy stem. Basal leaves up to 7cm long, ovate or obtuse, cordate base Red/purple flowers tight oblong spikes June-August. Looks similar to a nettle

Bryony white Perennial, climbing. Stems: weak, hairy arising from a perennial rootstock Root: like a turnip yellow/grey on the outside, white on the inside Flowers: green/white star shaped with five petals June-September. Fruit: red berries

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

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

Foxglove Biennial or perennial 1-2m/3-6ft tall. Stems: Erect, unbranched covered in soft hairs. Leaves: ovate, opposite, broad, blunt, finely toothed, soft green/grey underneath, 10-30cm long up to 10cm wide, sub-acute apex, crenate margin. Flowers large drooping bells pink/purple with dark spots surrounded by white rings inside each one of them June – September

Lady’s mantle Perennial herb. Up to 50cm/20in densely hairy stems Leaves-blue/green kidney shaped, finely toothed. Clusters of flowers greenish-yellow petal-less yellow stamens May –September

Mint water Perennial Rough, hairy mint up to 60cm/2ft tall. Leaves tinged with purple, opposing pairs, short stalked, oval, toothed. Flowers blue/lilac bushy head July – September

Self heal Thistle like spiny blue/green perennial 20-90cm/8-36in tall. Leaves blue-green three lobed spiny with pale veins and margins. Flowers blue in rounded heads with spiny bracts July – August Fruit egg shaped. Root: up to 8cm

Tormentil Creeping, perennial, hairy, erect stems Low growing plant up to 10cm Leaves: 3 toothed leaflets with two basal leaves like stipules giving a 5-fingered effect. trefoil root leaves, stem leaves with 5 leaflets, serrate Flowers: 4 sepals and petals yellow May-September

Angelica Hairy biennial or perennial with large lobed bright green ferny leaves, which are serrated and divided into 3. Flowers July - August tiny and yellowish/white, grouped into large umbels Between 120cm/300cm4ft-10ft. Stout stems and hollow

Angelica Wild Perennial herb up to 1.5m/5ft tall Stems – branched, ridged, hollow Leaves: purplish 2 or 3 pinnate with the lobes further divided and stalked Flowers: dense white or pink tinged umbels July – August

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

Cowbane Perennial. Stem: rigid, hollow, furrowed Basal leaves: long stalked. Upper leaves divide into three and three again Flowers: white umbels July – August

Hemlock Biennial, hairless up to 1.5m/5ft stems: erect, branched, purple hollow, spotted fowl smelling when crushed Feathery foliage Flowers small white umbels June – August Fruit, tiny, rounded

Blackberry 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

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

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.

Hemlock Biennial, hairless up to 1.5m/5ft stems: erect, branched, purple hollow, spotted fowl smelling when crushed Feathery foliage Flowers small white umbels June – August Fruit, tiny, rounded

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

Dodder Leafless red twining stems. Flowers tiny pink July- October. Twines anticlockwise over gorse and heather. Parasitic suckers

Good king Henry Perennial often reddish. Up to 60cm/2ft wide spread Leaves triangular spear shaped almost untoothed Flowers yellow in spikes May – August

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

Mint peppermint Perennial herb up to 1m/3ft. Hairy or hairless. Erect red tinged, quadrangular, stems. Leaves opposite, ovate up to 9cm long, 3cm wide, petiolate with serrate margin, tinged with purple. Flowers stalked, small, lilac, red/purple in tight whorls at base of the leaves July-September

Angelica Wild Perennial herb up to 1.5m/5ft tall Stems – branched, ridged, hollow Leaves: purple-ish 2 or 3 pinnate with the lobes further divided and stalked Flowers: dense white or pink tinged umbels July – August

Cowbane Perennial. Stem: rigid, hollow, furrowed Basal leaves: long stalked. Upper leaves divide into three and three again Flowers: white umbels 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

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

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

Ladys bedstraw Perennial spreading up to 40cm/16in Four angled slender stem Leaves: whorls of 8-12, downy underneath revolute margins. Flowers small numerous yellow and white which smell of honey June –September

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

Mint peppermint Perennial herb up to 1m/3ft. Hairy or hairless. Erect red tinged, quadrangular, stems. Leaves opposite, ovate up to 9cm long, 3cm wide, petiolate with serrate margin, tinged with purple. Flowers stalked, small, lilac, red/purple in tight whorls at base of the leaves July-September

Self heal Thistle like spiny blue/green perennial 20-90cm/8-36in tall. Leaves blue-green three lobed spiny with pale veins and margins. Flowers blue in rounded heads with spiny bracts July – August Fruit egg shaped. Root: up to 8cm

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

Ground Ivy Perennial, evergreen creeping 10-30cm/4-12in erect, square, unbranched, purplish hairy stems Leaves: opposite, kidney shaped, hairy, serrated, rounded, blunt tipped Flowers: paired or in 3s blue, purple, pink or white, two lipped April – September

Stout

Angelica Hairy biennial or perennial with large lobed bright green ferny leaves, which are serrated and divided into 3. Flowers July - August tiny and yellowish/white, grouped into large umbels Between 120cm/300cm4ft-10ft. Stout stems and hollow

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.

Blackberry 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

Sage wood Perennial downy Upright, woody stems with spikes of green/yellow flowers, prominent stamens. Up to 30cm/1ft Leaves toothed opposite July –September

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