Plants of the week (A-Z)

Smyrnium olusatrum – 1st May 2023 – Alexanders

A ‘forgotten vegetable’. An archaeophyte with maritime tendencies.

Solanum dulcamara – 16th August 2021 – Bittersweet

The nightshade family, Solanaceae, is a family of around 3000 species, known for its important edible species and infamous for its toxic species. There aren't many Solanaceae species native to the UK, and the most widespread of these is Solanum dulcamara, bittersweet or woody nightshade.

Solanum dulcamara – September 1st 2025 – Bittersweet

Isn’t it strange that poisonous plants are nearly always strikingly beautiful?

Solanum nigrum – November 8th 2021 Black Nightshade

Some people think it’s poisonous, but others tell us to make soup or jam from it. What is the truth?

Sonchus arvensis – 22nd August 2022 – Perennial Sow-thistle

Look for clumps of large golden-yellow flowers by the roadside in July and August, especially if you are near the coast.

Spergularia marina – 30th January 2023-Lesser Sea-spurrey

Since the 1980s this coastal plant has marched inland.

Stachys sylvatica – July 1st 2024 – (Hedge Woundwort)

A smelly perennial plant of dappled shade, and its close relative that grows on marshy ground.

Stellaria media – 6th February 2023-Common Chickweed

This common wayside plant has been called ‘one of the world’s worst weeds’.

Succisa pratensis – July 28th 2025 – Devil’s-bit Scabious

Bitten by the Devil

Symphoricarpos albus – December 27th 2021 Snowberry

Snowberry’s fruits are as white as snow, highly visible in winter months. Why are they ignored by birds?

Symphytum tuberosum – May 5th 2025 – Tuberous Comfrey

Tuberous Comfrey is a plant of lowland Scotland. Is it native or alien? Is it increasing?

Symphytum x hidcotense – April 6th 2026 – Hidcote Comfrey

This hybrid Comfrey may be more common than we have supposed

Symphytum x uplandicum – May 26th 2025 – Russian Comfrey

An extraordinary plant with an intriguing history in Britain

Tanacetum parthenium – 26th December 2022- Feverfew

One of the best-known herbal remedies, but does it actually work?

Taphrina alni – 16 November – Alder tongue fungus

At this time of year it’s easy to see the cones on the almost-leafless alder trees. This year’s immature greenish-yellow cones are visible alongside last year’s open brown ones. The sight of these cones are likely familiar to many and, as such, it can be easy to walk past the trees without paying too much attention to them - but it is worth stopping next time and having a closer look. You might find a dried, brown, twisted shape emerging from some of those cones. These are clearly not part of the tree - so what are they?

Taxus baccata – 30th November – Yew

Yew, Taxus baccata, is a long-lived native tree. Some trees are thought to be 1000s of years old. All parts of the plant are toxic apart from the fleshy aril which surrounds the seed. The anti-cancer drug Taxol has been developed from paclitaxel, produced by many Taxus species.

Tellima and Tolmiea; two riverside species, or are there three? – May 2nd 2022

A spring-time walk in the woods made us take a closer look at Tellima and Tolmiea.- fringe cups and the pick-a-back plant.

The fungus without a name – 22nd February 2021

Here is another honorary plant - a fungus that is common in the urban environment but inconspicuous and disregarded - except by rodents.

These are the Plants of the Week that Was – assorted species from New Year’s Day – posted for week 11-18 January 2021

We thought you'd like to know what we found in flower on New Year's day. There are 60 species.

Thinopyrum intermedium – October 20th 2025 – Intermediate Wheatgrass

A new cereal is emerging

Tilia spp. – 12th October – Lime or Linden

Roger West has been investigating the Lime tree, native in England and often planted in parks and gardens in Scotland.

Tofieldia pusilla – February 10th 2025 – Scottish Asphodel

A scarce arctic-alpine plant growing on Scottish mountains

Trifolium arvense – August 5th 2024 – (Hare’s-foot clover)

A plant of dry grasslands and sandy soils, often near the coast.

Trifolium incarnatum – June 8th 2026 – Crimson clover

The phrase "we are in clover" (or "living in clover") means to be living a life of luxury, comfort, and prosperity.

Trifolium pratense – 30th October 2023 – (Red Clover)

It isn’t just a pretty flower, it’s an important one

Triglochin maritima – 25th September 2023 – Sea Arrow Grass

A native salt-marsh species that occurs all around our coast.

Tripleurospermum maritimum – 3rd October 2022 – Sea Mayweed

A seaside plant with a country cousin

Tripolium pannonicum – 5th February 2024 – (Sea Aster)

An aster that you might see on a seaside walk, but now we must call it by another name.

Tuber sp. – April 7th 2025 – Truffles

Black gold or fool’s gold? Cultivation of this ascomycete fungus in South East England.

Tussilago farfara – 27th February 2022 – Colt’s-foot

Tussilago farfara, commonly called colt's-foot, is one of the first splashes of bright colour in spring. Its yellow flowerheads appear on otherwise bare ground and at the sides of paths from as early as March, and they flower before the plant comes into leaf.

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