Tamus communis 'Black Bryony'
Currently Unavailable
Tanacetum parthenium 'Feverfew'
Currently Unavailable
Tanacetum parthenium 'Feverfew'
[Ex, Co. Durham]
Tanacetum parthenium
Asteraceae: an upright, much branched, downy perennial, to 50cm, the leaves are strongly aromatic. Grows in disturbed ground, and grass verges, waysides and old walls. Daisy-like flowers from July to August. Introduced as a garden plant and widely naturalized often near human habitation.
The dried flowers are used as a flavouring in cooking certain pastries, the plant is used in cooking to impart a deliciously aromatic bitter taste to certain foods, and an herbal tea is made from the dried flower. Feverfew has gained a good reputation as a medicinal herb and extensive research since 1970 has proved it to be of special benefit in the treatment of certain types of migraine headaches and rheumatism.
Sow seeds in spring in a greenhouse, only just cover the seed and do not allow the pot to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Plants usually self-sow freely once you have a plant.
Approx. 1000+ SEEDS £1.25
Tanacetum vulgare 'Tansy'
[Ex. Norfolk]
Asteraceae: robust, upright perennial to 75cm, the whole plant is strongly aromatic. Found growing on roadside verges, hedgerows and disturbed ground. The flowers are golden-yellow, button-like heads 7-12mm across, in flat-topped, umbel-like clusters up to 12cm, blooming from July-October. The leaves are yellowish green, pinnately divided with deeply cut lobes. Common and widespread throughout Britain. Native to most of Europe, including Britain, to the Caucasus, Armenia and Siberia.
The young leaflets can be used raw or cooked, they can be added in small quantities to salads. The plant is also used as a flavouring, it is a substitute for nutmeg and cinnamon. The flowers have a unique flavour and are eaten or used as a garnish. Also a bitter, somewhat lemon-flavoured tea is made from the leaves and flowering stems.
Tansy is a commonly grown domestic remedy, useful in treating a wide range of complaints, though it is little used in modern herbalism. Its main value is as a vermifuge to expel intestinal worms and, to a lesser degree, to help stimulate menstrual bleeding. The leaves and flowering tops are anthelmintic, antispasmodic, bitter, carminative, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic. An infusion of the leaves or whole plant is used to treat menstrual irregularities and as an anthelmintic, especially for children. It is also valuable in treating hysteria, kidney weaknesses, stomach problems, fevers and also as an emmenagogue. Externally, tansy is used as a poultice on swellings and some eruptive skin diseases. It is also used externally to kill lice, fleas and scabies.
Because it contains thujone, Tansy can be toxic if used in large amounts and should be used with caution.
Sow seeds in spring in a greenhouse, only just cover the seed and do not allow the pot to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant out in the summer.
Harvested: 2014.
Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.50.
Tanacetum vulgare
Asteraceae: robust, upright perennial to 75cm, the whole plant is strongly aromatic. Found growing on roadside verges, hedgerows and disturbed ground. The flowers are golden-yellow, button-like heads 7-12mm across, in flat-topped, umbel-like clusters up to 12cm, blooming from July-October. The leaves are yellowish green, pinnately divided with deeply cut lobes. Common and widespread throughout Britain. Native to most of Europe, including Britain, to the Caucasus, Armenia and Siberia.
The young leaflets can be used raw or cooked, they can be added in small quantities to salads. The plant is also used as a flavouring, it is a substitute for nutmeg and cinnamon. The flowers have a unique flavour and are eaten or used as a garnish. Also a bitter, somewhat lemon-flavoured tea is made from the leaves and flowering stems.
Tansy is a commonly grown domestic remedy, useful in treating a wide range of complaints, though it is little used in modern herbalism. Its main value is as a vermifuge to expel intestinal worms and, to a lesser degree, to help stimulate menstrual bleeding. The leaves and flowering tops are anthelmintic, antispasmodic, bitter, carminative, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic. An infusion of the leaves or whole plant is used to treat menstrual irregularities and as an anthelmintic, especially for children. It is also valuable in treating hysteria, kidney weaknesses, stomach problems, fevers and also as an emmenagogue. Externally, tansy is used as a poultice on swellings and some eruptive skin diseases. It is also used externally to kill lice, fleas and scabies.
Because it contains thujone, Tansy can be toxic if used in large amounts and should be used with caution.
Sow seeds in spring in a greenhouse, only just cover the seed and do not allow the pot to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant out in the summer.
Harvested: 2014.
Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.50.
Taraxacum officinale 'Dandelion'
Taraxacum officinale
Asteraceae: a perennial with a long tap root, growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft), hardy to zone 5, a blaze of yellow flowers appear from April to May, followed by white fluffy seed heads, a very common weed of grassland and cultivated ground, found in most of the northern hemisphere, including Britain.
Leaves are used raw or cooked in salads, they are rather bitter, though less so in the winter, the tender young leaves are considerably less bitter than older leaves, the leaves can be blanched (by excluding light from the growing plant) before use, this will make them less bitter, but they will also contain less vitamins and minerals. A very nutritious food, 100g of the raw leaves contain about 2.7g protein, 9.2g carbohydrate, 187mg Calcium, 66mg phosphorus, 3.1mg iron, 76mg sodium, 397mg potassium, 36mg magnesium, 14000iu vitamin A, 0.19mg vitamin B1, 0.26mg vitamin B2, 35mg vitamin C, the root can be used raw or cooked, and has a bitter, turnip-like flavour, the unopened flower buds can be used in fritters, also be preserved in vinegar and used like capers. Both the leaves and the roots are used to flavour herbal beers and soft drinks such as 'Dandelion and Burdock'.
The dandelion is a commonly used herbal remedy. It is especially effective and valuable as a diuretic because it contains high levels of potassium salts and therefore can replace the potassium that is lost from the body when diuretics are used, all parts of the plant, but especially the root, are slightly aperient, cholagogue, depurative, strongly diuretic, hepatic, laxative, stomachic and tonic.
Surface sow seeds spring in a cold frame and either surface-sow or only just cover the seed. Make sure the compost does not dry out. Germination should take place within 2 weeks, though 2 weeks cold stratification may improve germination. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, choosing relatively deep pots to accommodate the tap root. Plant them out in early summer. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.
Seeds collected from wild plants, Co. Durham, May 2014.
WARNING: COULD BECOME INVASIVE, SPREADS BY MEANS OF SEEDS!
Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.50.
Taxus baccata 'English Yew'
[Ex. Co. Durham]
[Ex. Co. Durham]
Taxus baccata
Taxaceae: A very long-lived broadly conical conifer to 25m, with dense foliage. The bole of a mature may be long and twisted. The bark is reddish, often peeling to reveal reddish-brown patches beneath. Flattened, needle-like dark glossy green leaves on slightly pendulous branches. Male and female flowers are on separate trees, the female flowers give rise to hard fruits each surrounded by a bright red fleshy aril with a depression at the tip. Native of much of Europe including Britain, North West Africa and South West Asia, preferring drier lime-rich soils. It is the subject of myths and superstitions and are very long-lived, there are many specimens growing in Britain that are well over a 1000 years old.
The raw red fruit is said to be very sweet and gelatinous, apparently some people find them delicious, care is need not to eat the seed inside the fruit, as there are highly poisonous.
The yew tree is a highly toxic plant that has occasionally been used medicinally, mainly in the treatment of chest complaints. Modern research has shown that the plants contain the substance 'taxol' in their shoots. Taxol has shown exciting potential as an anti-cancer drug, particularly in the treatment of ovarian cancers. All parts of the plant, except the fleshy fruit, are antispasmodic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, narcotic and purgative. The leaves have been used internally in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, hiccup, indigestion, rheumatism and epilepsy. Externally, the leaves have been used in a steam bath as a treatment for rheumatism. A homeopathic remedy is made from the young shoots and the berries. It is used in the treatment of many diseases including cystitis, eruptions, headaches, heart and kidney problems, rheumatism etc. just keep in mind that the ingestion of 50-100g of needles can cause death.
Seeds may take 2 years or more to germinate. 4 months warm followed by 4 months cold stratification may help reduce the germination time.
15 Seeds £1.50
Taxus baccata
[The Beltingham Yews, Northumberland]
In the churchyard of the 15th century church of St. Cuthbert, Beltingham, Northumberland, stand three notable yew trees. One of these is a fantastic ancient male yew tree, which stands to the north of the church and is of particular significance, which the Parish Guide states is at least 900 years, old according to reliable records. Two other yews , one male and one female, stand to the south and south west of the church and are believed to be much younger than the other. However a 19th century opinion that these trees are ‘many centuries’ old (rather than a few) could well mean an estimate of 400-500 years old then and with the possibility of being older. In any event the three yews at Beltingham are clearly very significant yew.I will try an get my hand on some of the seeds from the female yew and hopefully make them available to purchase.
http://www.ancient-yew.org/mi.php/the-beltingham-yews/76
Currently Unavailable
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Teucrium scorodonia 'Wood-sage'
[Co. Durham]
Lamiaceae: Downy perennial of woodland rides, heaths and coastal cliffs, mainly on acid soils. The flowers are yellowish 5-6mm long, in leafless spikes, blooming from June-September. Oval heart-shaped, wrinkled leaves. Widespread and locally common. Native to Western Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Portugal, Italy, Croatia and Germany.
The plant resembles hops in taste and flavour, and an infusion of the leaves and flowers is used as a hop substitute for flavouring beer in some areas. It is said to clear the beer more quickly than hops, but imparts too much colour to the brew.
The herb is alterative, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, and diuretic, emmenagogue, tonic and vulnerary. It is harvested in July and can be dried for later use. The herb is often used in domestic herbal practice in the treatment of skin afflictions, diseases of the blood, fevers, and colds. It is an appetizer of the first order and is equal to gentian root as a tonic.
Sow seeds in spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough.
Harvested: August 2014.
Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.50
Lamiaceae: Downy perennial of woodland rides, heaths and coastal cliffs, mainly on acid soils. The flowers are yellowish 5-6mm long, in leafless spikes, blooming from June-September. Oval heart-shaped, wrinkled leaves. Widespread and locally common. Native to Western Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Portugal, Italy, Croatia and Germany.
The plant resembles hops in taste and flavour, and an infusion of the leaves and flowers is used as a hop substitute for flavouring beer in some areas. It is said to clear the beer more quickly than hops, but imparts too much colour to the brew.
The herb is alterative, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, and diuretic, emmenagogue, tonic and vulnerary. It is harvested in July and can be dried for later use. The herb is often used in domestic herbal practice in the treatment of skin afflictions, diseases of the blood, fevers, and colds. It is an appetizer of the first order and is equal to gentian root as a tonic.
Sow seeds in spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough.
Harvested: August 2014.
Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.50
Teucrium scorodonia
Thalictrum minus
'Small Meadow Rue'
Currently Unavailable
'Small Meadow Rue'
Currently Unavailable
Thlaspi arvense
'Field Penny-cress'
Currently Unavailable
'Field Penny-cress'
Currently Unavailable
Thymus polytrichus 'Wild Thyme'
Lamiaceae: creeping, mat-forming perennial to 5cm, slender, woody runners. The whole plant is aromatic, celling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry, grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. The flowers are 3-4mm long, pinkish purple, in dense, terminal heads with dark purplish calyx tubs, and on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides, flowering from June-September. The leaves are ovate, short-stalked, in opposite pairs. Widespread and fairly common throughout Britain. Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to France, Hungary and Romania.
The leaves are used raw in salads or added as a flavouring to cooked foods, thyme retains its flavour well in long slow cooking. If the leaves are to be dried, the plants should be harvested in early and late summer just before the flowers open and the leaves should be dried quickly. An aromatic tea can be made from the leaves.
Wild thyme is a commonly used domestic remedy, being employed especially for its antiseptic properties and its beneficial effect on the digestive system. The whole plant is anthelmintic, strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, deodorant, diaphoretic, disinfectant, expectorant, sedative and tonic. It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchitis, catarrh, laryngitis, flatulent indigestion, painful menstruation, colic and hangovers. It is said to be effective in treating alcoholism. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women. Externally, it is applied to minor injuries, mastitis, mouth, and throat and gum infections. The plant can be used fresh at any time of the year, or it can be harvested as it comes into flower and either be distilled for the oil or dried for later use.
Surface sow, in nature seeds germinate in late summer or spring so it is probably best sown in the autumn.
Harvested: September 2014.
Approx. 200+ seeds £2.50
Lamiaceae: creeping, mat-forming perennial to 5cm, slender, woody runners. The whole plant is aromatic, celling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry, grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. The flowers are 3-4mm long, pinkish purple, in dense, terminal heads with dark purplish calyx tubs, and on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides, flowering from June-September. The leaves are ovate, short-stalked, in opposite pairs. Widespread and fairly common throughout Britain. Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to France, Hungary and Romania.
The leaves are used raw in salads or added as a flavouring to cooked foods, thyme retains its flavour well in long slow cooking. If the leaves are to be dried, the plants should be harvested in early and late summer just before the flowers open and the leaves should be dried quickly. An aromatic tea can be made from the leaves.
Wild thyme is a commonly used domestic remedy, being employed especially for its antiseptic properties and its beneficial effect on the digestive system. The whole plant is anthelmintic, strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, deodorant, diaphoretic, disinfectant, expectorant, sedative and tonic. It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchitis, catarrh, laryngitis, flatulent indigestion, painful menstruation, colic and hangovers. It is said to be effective in treating alcoholism. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women. Externally, it is applied to minor injuries, mastitis, mouth, and throat and gum infections. The plant can be used fresh at any time of the year, or it can be harvested as it comes into flower and either be distilled for the oil or dried for later use.
Surface sow, in nature seeds germinate in late summer or spring so it is probably best sown in the autumn.
Harvested: September 2014.
Approx. 200+ seeds £2.50
Thymus pulegioides 'Large Thyme'
[Ex. Bedfordshire]
Currently Unavailable
Currently Unavailable
Tilia cordata 'Small-leaved Lime'
[Prov: Hungary]
Tiliaceae: A long-lived shapely tree to 100ft (30m) which has a fissured bark, the leaves are heart-shaped, often broader then long (2.5/6cm), and sharply and finely serrated. In July the fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers are borne in numerous clusters, followed by small round fruits. Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Spain, Siberia, Crimea and Caucasus. In Britain, T. cordata is considered an indicator of ancient woodland, and is becoming increasingly rare. Trees in northern Britain were found to have established when the climate was warmer and have adapted to the cooling climate. The trees were estimated to have germinated between; 1150-1300 AD, making them around 800 years old.
The young leaves can be used raw, and can be used to make an excellent salad or sandwich filling, they are mild tasting and somewhat mucilaginous, leaves are available from spring until early autumn from the young growths at the base of the tree. A very acceptable chocolate substitute can be made from a paste of the ground-up flowers and immature fruit, trials on marketing the product failed because the paste is very apt to decompose in storage. A popular herb tea is made from the flowers, it has a sweet, fragrant pleasant flavour. The sap can be harvested in the spring, it is sweet and can be used as a drink or concentrated into a syrup.
Lime flowers are a popular domestic remedy for a number of ailments, especially in the treatment of colds and other ailments where sweating is desirable. A tea made from the fresh or dried flowers is antispasmodic, diaphoretic, and expectorant, hypotensive, laxative and sedative. Lime flower tea is also used internally in the treatment of indigestion, hypertension, hardening of the arteries, hysteria, nervous vomiting or palpitation. Lime flowers are said to develop narcotic properties as they age and so they should only be harvested when freshly opened. A charcoal made from the wood is used in the treatment of gastric or dyspeptic disturbances and is also made into a powder then applied to burns or sore places.
Much of the seed produced in Britain is not viable, as it needs long hot summer to ripen. Seeds are deeply dormant and require at least 39 weeks of cold stratification treatment, so probably best sown in the autumn. Seeds can be very slow to germinate.
15 Seeds £1.50
[Prov: Hungary]
Tiliaceae: A long-lived shapely tree to 100ft (30m) which has a fissured bark, the leaves are heart-shaped, often broader then long (2.5/6cm), and sharply and finely serrated. In July the fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers are borne in numerous clusters, followed by small round fruits. Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Spain, Siberia, Crimea and Caucasus. In Britain, T. cordata is considered an indicator of ancient woodland, and is becoming increasingly rare. Trees in northern Britain were found to have established when the climate was warmer and have adapted to the cooling climate. The trees were estimated to have germinated between; 1150-1300 AD, making them around 800 years old.
The young leaves can be used raw, and can be used to make an excellent salad or sandwich filling, they are mild tasting and somewhat mucilaginous, leaves are available from spring until early autumn from the young growths at the base of the tree. A very acceptable chocolate substitute can be made from a paste of the ground-up flowers and immature fruit, trials on marketing the product failed because the paste is very apt to decompose in storage. A popular herb tea is made from the flowers, it has a sweet, fragrant pleasant flavour. The sap can be harvested in the spring, it is sweet and can be used as a drink or concentrated into a syrup.
Lime flowers are a popular domestic remedy for a number of ailments, especially in the treatment of colds and other ailments where sweating is desirable. A tea made from the fresh or dried flowers is antispasmodic, diaphoretic, and expectorant, hypotensive, laxative and sedative. Lime flower tea is also used internally in the treatment of indigestion, hypertension, hardening of the arteries, hysteria, nervous vomiting or palpitation. Lime flowers are said to develop narcotic properties as they age and so they should only be harvested when freshly opened. A charcoal made from the wood is used in the treatment of gastric or dyspeptic disturbances and is also made into a powder then applied to burns or sore places.
Much of the seed produced in Britain is not viable, as it needs long hot summer to ripen. Seeds are deeply dormant and require at least 39 weeks of cold stratification treatment, so probably best sown in the autumn. Seeds can be very slow to germinate.
15 Seeds £1.50
Tilia platyphyllos 'Broad Leaved Lime'
[Prov: Hungary]
Tiliaceae: A tall deciduous long-lived tree to 130ft (40m). The bole is normally free of suckers and shoots, distinguishing this species of lime. The bark is dark grey with fine fissures in older trees. The leaves are normally around 9cm long, sometimes to 15cm long, broadly ovate, with a short tapering point and irregularly heart-shaped base. The yellow-white flowers usually open around June, followed by a hard woody fruit up to 1.8cm. native to lime-rich soils of mainland Europe; in Britain it is native to central and southern England and Wales, having been introduced elsewhere; often planted as a street tree.
The young leaves can be used raw, and can be used to make an excellent salad or sandwich filling, they are mild tasting and somewhat mucilaginous, leaves are available from spring until early autumn from the young growths at the base of the tree. A very acceptable chocolate substitute can be made from a paste of the ground-up flowers and immature fruit, trials on marketing the product failed because the paste is very apt to decompose in storage. A popular herb tea is made from the flowers, it has a sweet, fragrant pleasant flavour. The sap can be harvested in the spring, it is sweet and can be used as a drink or concentrated into a syrup.
Lime flowers are a popular domestic remedy for a number of ailments, especially in the treatment of colds and other ailments where sweating is desirable. A tea made from the fresh or dried flowers is antispasmodic, diaphoretic, and expectorant, hypotensive, laxative and sedative. Lime flower tea is also used internally in the treatment of indigestion, hypertension, hardening of the arteries, hysteria, nervous vomiting or palpitation. Lime flowers are said to develop narcotic properties as they age and so they should only be harvested when freshly opened. A charcoal made from the wood is used in the treatment of gastric or dyspeptic disturbances and is also made into a powder then applied to burns or sore places.
Much of the seed produced in Britain is not viable, as it needs long hot summer to ripen. Seeds are deeply dormant and require at least 39 weeks of cold stratification treatment, so probably best sown in the autumn. Seeds can be very slow to germinate.
15 Seeds £1.50
Torilis japonica
'Upright Hedge-parsley'
'Upright Hedge-parsley'
[Ex. Oxfordshire]
Apiaceae: a pretty slender annual with solid, unspotted, roughly hairy stems to 1m. Found in hedges and woodland margins. The flowers are white or sometimes tinged pink, in terminal, long-stalked umbels, blooming from July-August. Widespread and common across Britain. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to North Africa, north and East Asia.
The leaves can be cooked, also the root can be peeled and eaten raw.
The seed is anthelmintic, antifungal, antiviral, expectorant and tonic. It is used in Korea in the treatment of amnesia, pruritis, acidosis and scabies. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of indigestion.
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils. Seed can be sown in situ in spring. The umbels of simple open flowers attract a large range of pollinating insects particularly hoverflies and small beetles.
Harvested: 2014.
Apiaceae: a pretty slender annual with solid, unspotted, roughly hairy stems to 1m. Found in hedges and woodland margins. The flowers are white or sometimes tinged pink, in terminal, long-stalked umbels, blooming from July-August. Widespread and common across Britain. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to North Africa, north and East Asia.
The leaves can be cooked, also the root can be peeled and eaten raw.
The seed is anthelmintic, antifungal, antiviral, expectorant and tonic. It is used in Korea in the treatment of amnesia, pruritis, acidosis and scabies. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of indigestion.
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils. Seed can be sown in situ in spring. The umbels of simple open flowers attract a large range of pollinating insects particularly hoverflies and small beetles.
Harvested: 2014.
Tragopogon pratensis 'Goat's Beard'
[Ex. Co. Durham]
Tragopogon pratensis
Asteraceae: annual or short lived perennial growing to 0.6 m (2ft), hardy to zone 3, similar in appearance to a tall, stately dandelion but with leaves present on the stem and un-toothed linear lanceolate lower leaves. Its most characteristic feature of are the long, pointed sepal-like bracts surrounding the floral disc which draw in to close the flower head by late morning. Found in Meadows, pastures, dunes, waysides and waste places, Europe, including Britain, from Scandinavia south and east to Spain, Caucasus, and Siberia, Iran.
The roots can be eaten either raw or cooked, the roots have a sweet flavour due to their inulin content, the young roots can be eaten raw whilst older roots are best cooked like parsnips or salsify, also the flowering stem, including the buds, can be cooked and served like asparagus.
Goat's beard is considered to be a useful remedy for the liver and gallbladder, it appears to have a detoxifying effect and may stimulate the appetite and digestion. Its high inulin content makes this herb a useful food for diabetics since inulin is a nutrient made of fructose rather than glucose units and therefore does not raise blood sugar levels. The root is astringent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, nutritive and stomachic. A syrup made from the root gives great relief in cases of obstinate coughs and bronchitis. A decoction of the root is given in the treatment of heartburn, loss of appetite and disorders of the breast or liver. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.
Sow seed from autumn to spring in situ.
Approx 35+ seeds £1.50
Asteraceae: annual or short lived perennial growing to 0.6 m (2ft), hardy to zone 3, similar in appearance to a tall, stately dandelion but with leaves present on the stem and un-toothed linear lanceolate lower leaves. Its most characteristic feature of are the long, pointed sepal-like bracts surrounding the floral disc which draw in to close the flower head by late morning. Found in Meadows, pastures, dunes, waysides and waste places, Europe, including Britain, from Scandinavia south and east to Spain, Caucasus, and Siberia, Iran.
The roots can be eaten either raw or cooked, the roots have a sweet flavour due to their inulin content, the young roots can be eaten raw whilst older roots are best cooked like parsnips or salsify, also the flowering stem, including the buds, can be cooked and served like asparagus.
Goat's beard is considered to be a useful remedy for the liver and gallbladder, it appears to have a detoxifying effect and may stimulate the appetite and digestion. Its high inulin content makes this herb a useful food for diabetics since inulin is a nutrient made of fructose rather than glucose units and therefore does not raise blood sugar levels. The root is astringent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, nutritive and stomachic. A syrup made from the root gives great relief in cases of obstinate coughs and bronchitis. A decoction of the root is given in the treatment of heartburn, loss of appetite and disorders of the breast or liver. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.
Sow seed from autumn to spring in situ.
Approx 35+ seeds £1.50
Trifolium pratense 'Wild Red Clover'
[Ex. Yorkshire]
Fabaceae: A familiar downy perennial to 40cm, found in grassy places on a wide range of soils. The flowers are pinkish red, in dense, unstalked heads 2-3cm across, appearing from May-October. The leaves are trifoliate, each of the oval leaflets bear a white crescent-shaped mark. Widespread and common throughout the country.
The leaves and the young flowering heads can be eaten raw or cooked, the young leaves are harvested before the plant comes into flower, and are used in salads, soups etc. On their own they can be used as a vegetable, cooked like spinach, the leaves are best when cooked.
Red clover is a safe and effective herb with a long history of medicinal usage. Commonly used to treat skin conditions, normally in combination with other purifying herbs such as Arctium lappa and Rumex crispus. It is a folk remedy for cancer of the breast, a concentrated decoction being applied to the site of the tumour in order to encourage it to grow outwards and clear the body. Flavonoids in the flowers and leaves are oestrogenic and may be of benefit in the treatment of menopausal complaints. The flowering heads are alterative, antiscrofulous, antispasmodic, aperient, detergent, diuretic, expectorant, sedative and tonic, and it has also shown to have anticancer activity.
Seeds can be sown at any time of the year, may be a little slow to germinate with some evidence that peak germination occurs in autumn.
Seeds collected from wild plant growing in North Yorkshire, August 2014.
Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.25
Fabaceae: A familiar downy perennial to 40cm, found in grassy places on a wide range of soils. The flowers are pinkish red, in dense, unstalked heads 2-3cm across, appearing from May-October. The leaves are trifoliate, each of the oval leaflets bear a white crescent-shaped mark. Widespread and common throughout the country.
The leaves and the young flowering heads can be eaten raw or cooked, the young leaves are harvested before the plant comes into flower, and are used in salads, soups etc. On their own they can be used as a vegetable, cooked like spinach, the leaves are best when cooked.
Red clover is a safe and effective herb with a long history of medicinal usage. Commonly used to treat skin conditions, normally in combination with other purifying herbs such as Arctium lappa and Rumex crispus. It is a folk remedy for cancer of the breast, a concentrated decoction being applied to the site of the tumour in order to encourage it to grow outwards and clear the body. Flavonoids in the flowers and leaves are oestrogenic and may be of benefit in the treatment of menopausal complaints. The flowering heads are alterative, antiscrofulous, antispasmodic, aperient, detergent, diuretic, expectorant, sedative and tonic, and it has also shown to have anticancer activity.
Seeds can be sown at any time of the year, may be a little slow to germinate with some evidence that peak germination occurs in autumn.
Seeds collected from wild plant growing in North Yorkshire, August 2014.
Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.25
Trifolium pratense
Trifolium repens 'White Clover'
[Ex. Co. Durham]
Fabaceae: creeping perennial to 40cm. creamy white, but becoming brown with age, on long stalks, rounded heads to 2cm across. Blooming from May-October. The leaves are trifoliate, rounded leaflets bearing white marks. Found growing in grassland and lawns, preferring a calcareous clay soil. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Northwest south and east to North Africa, north and western Asia.
The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked as a potherb. The young leaves are harvested before the plant comes into flower and are used in salads, soups. They can also be used as a vegetable, cooked like spinach. The leaves are best cooked. Flowers and seed pods are dried, ground into powder and used as a flour or sprinkled on cooked foods such as boiled rice. Very wholesome and nutritious. The young flowers can also be used in salads. The roots can be cooked. The dried leaves impart a vanilla flavour to cakes. Dried flowering heads are a tea substitute.
The plant has antirheumatic, antiscrophulatic, depurative, detergent and tonic properties. An infusion has been used in the treatment of coughs, colds, fevers and leucorrhoea. A tincture of the leaves is applied as an ointment to gout. An infusion of the flowers has been used as an eyewash.
‘If you’re lucky you may grow your own four leaved clover.’
Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in situ. If the seed is in short supply it might be better to sow it in pots in a cold frame or greenhouse.
Harvested. 2014.
1000+ seeds £1.25.
Tussilago farfara 'Coltsfoot'
Currently Unavailable
Typha latifolia 'Reedmace'
Currently Unavailable
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