Woodruff
The beautifully scented gallium odarata, commonly known as woodruff, grows in damp places like shady woodlands. They bloom from May to June, bearing small clusters of white scented flowers. The margins of the leaves are edged with tiny bristles. When the plant is dried, it could be used in pot-pourri. Years ago people added the […]
Wild Strawberry
The wild strawberry can be found on roadsides, woodland, grassland and scrub. It is a small plant that bears tiny white flowers from May to August. The little red fruit ripen in autumn. Birds and humans eat them as they are delicious and rich in vitamins. It has some health benefits. It is said that […]
Water Avens
Water Avens grows in damp places like riversides, wet woodlands and meadows. The cup shaped flowers are borne on purplish stems. The cup shaped flowers have orange-pink petals. Water avens are pollinated mainly by bees and sometimes by flies and beetles.
Valerian
Valerian grows in damp meadows and along riversides and canals. It’s a tall plant, with thick erect stems. The pale pink flowers grow in a dense rounded cluster. It blooms from June to September. For centuries valerian was used in preparations for treating insomnia.
Tormentil
The name Potentilla comes from Latin Tormentum referring to the pain it relieves. Potentilla is an extremely widespread flowering plant. It grows in heaths, moors and grassy places. It’s a small plant which only reaches to about 30 cm high and has small pretty flowers that are bright yellow. It was used in herbal remedies […]
Silverweed
The general name potentilla comes from latin adjective poten, meaning powerful, and anserina, meaning goose because the geese liked them. Silverweed is very common in Ireland. It has tender root stocks and was eaten in the Hebrides in ties of scarcity. The leaves are covered in a silky white down which gives it a silvery […]
Self-Heal
Self-heal is a hairy a low growing perennial. It bears beautiful violet blue flowers. The leaves form in pairs along a central stem. Self-heal is found growing in short grasses and bare areas. Pollinating insects like moths and bees are attracted to this pretty plant. Self-heal, as the name suggests has been used medicinally to […]
Rosebay Willow Herb
The rosebay willow herb is a showy , tall and vigorous plant. It is wide spread around Ireland, Europe and America. It has four petalled pink flowers. The rosebay willow herb flowers from June through to September. The leaves are similar in appearance to willow leaves hence its name. In times gone by, the fermented […]
Purple-Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria comes from Greek Lythron gore, alluding to colour of flowers. Salicaria, from salix because of its resemblance to the willow leaf. The purple-loosestrife is a common flowering wild plant that grows on river banks and damp grounds. The plant produces striking purple flowers on a long stem, from June to September. People used […]
Meadow Vetchling
The meadow vetchling, also known as Pis buidhe and meadow pea is a common perennial. It is common and found along roadsides and in fields with wild meadows. It is a straggling plant, that has hairless stems and it bears deep yellow flowers from May to August. The seed pods are similar to pea pods […]