Revisiting some Plants of the Week in this strange winter weather- January 9th 2023
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How do extreme ‘cold winter snaps’ affect our wild plants
Acer pseudoplatanus – 2nd January 2023 – Sycamore
A non-native tree that has colonised our islands and is now fully ’naturalised’, but it still divides opinion.
Tanacetum parthenium – 26th December 2022- Feverfew
One of the best-known herbal remedies, but does it actually work?
Capsella bursa-pastoris – 19th December 2022- Shepherd’s Purse
Someone once said that this species is among ‘the world’s worst weeds’.
Euphorbia pulcherrima – 12th December 2022-Poinsettia
The plant’s name was given to honour Joel Roberts Poinsett, who collected cuttings of the plant from Mexico. In North America the plant is celebrated by a National Poinsettia Day on December 12th every year, the anniversary of Poinsett’s death in 1851.
Picea abies and other Christmas trees 5th December 2022 – Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree tradition comes from Germany. From quirky beginnings it is now big business in the Western World.
Clinopodium vulgare – 28th November 2022 – Wild Basil
Despite its name, this native species is only distantly related to the culinary Basil. It is rare in Scotland and seems to stick to calcium-rich soils.
Euphorbia helioscopia – 21st November 2022 – Sun Spurge
A poisonous archaeophyte, well-known to the herbalists of old. It grows on cultivated land and its seeds are transported by ants.
Eupatorium cannabinum – 7th November 2022 – Hemp Agrimony
A native plant with a confusing name, not common in Scotland except on the west coast.
Matricaria discoidea – 31st October 2022 – Pineapple Weed
An alien species well-established along roads and tracks, used as an insect repellent by indigenous North Americans.
