front cover 28/11/08 10:20 page 2 code of conduct › media › palm... · or seeds •avoid...

Front Cover 28/11/08 10:20

Code of conduct

When studying habitats and the wildlife in them, children andadults are encouraged to consider and discuss appropriateways of behaving. Drawing up a code of conduct is a usefulclass exercise before undertaking an activity.

It is not normally acceptable to pick or remove wild flowersfrom their habitat. However, the plants chosen for this projectare all very common.

Health and safety information

The plants listed in the Identikit have been assessed and arenot poisonous but any plant may cause an allergic reactionin sensitive individuals. Close supervision is recommended atall times. All cuts or open wounds should be covered with aplaster before you start plant hunting.

Children:

• Do not eat any plantmaterial such as berries or seeds

• Avoid putting fingers inmouths – some plantmaterial is poisonous

• Always wash your handsat the end of an activity

• Insects – particularly beesand wasps – may bearound plants

• You shouldnever pick wildflowers unlessyou havebeen told it is OK

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Where it can be found:Cleavers can be foundclambering over otherplants in hedges,woodland edges andwaste ground.

Description:A bristly clinging plant withcircles of leaves along thesquare-shaped stem.

There are lots of prickles allover the plant to help it stick.

Galium aparine

• Common names:Cleavers, clivers,goosegrass, stickyweed

• Scientific name: Galium aparine

• Flowering season:June to September

• Fruiting season:Likely to fruit betweenJuly and November

Cleavers 28/11/08 10:22 Page 1

Collectingcleavers

2mm

Cleavers seed

Cleavers seedling Cleavers plant in

pathway habitat

Cleavers in fruit

Cleavers showing

'sticky' pricklesGermination: This plant

sometimes might germinate

better if chilled first and

kept in contact with a

wet surface.

Flowering head of cleavers

Seed dispersal:Carried by animals

Fun facts: Can be dried and roasted tomake a drink – like coffee.

If you go out for a walk in thecountryside you might comeback with cleavers stems or fruitsstuck to your clothes like velcro!

Uses:Cleavers can beboiled andeaten as avegetable.

Cleavers 28/11/08 10:22

Where it can be found:This plant is verycommon in waste ground,and is also found along thesides of roads, near the seaand by rivers and streams.

Description:The flowers are similar todandelions but the plant hassmall scaly leaves packedalong purple stems. Big heart-shaped green leaves appearafter the plant has finishedflowering and fruiting.

Tussilago farfara

• Common names:Coltsfoot, coughwort

• Scientific name: Tussilago farfara

• Flowering season:February to April

• Fruiting season:Likely to fruit betweenApril and June

Coltsfoot 28/11/08 10:51 Page 1

1mm

Coltsfootseed

Coltsfoot seedling Coltsfoot plants in habitat

Fruiting head of coltsfoot

Basal leaves of coltsfoot

after flowering and fruiting

Seed dispersal:Carried by wind (parachute)

Germination: This seed is

easy to germinate and

prefers light for germination.

Sow in a pot of soil or

compost on the surface.

Flowering heads of coltsfoot

Coltsfoot's silky seeds wereonce used as a stuffing formattresses.

The fruiting head looks like adandelion ‘clock’.

Uses:Coltsfoot has been used as anatural food flavouring.

Fun facts: The name Tussilago means‘stopping a cough’.


Where it can be found:This plant can be foundthroughout the UK and isoften found in lawns, byroadsides and on theedges of paths.

Description:Daisy is a very short plantwith a tightly packed group ofleaves at the base and smallwhite flower heads with ayellow centre.

Bellis perennis

• Common names:Daisy, common daisy,lawn daisy, English daisy

• Scientific name:Bellis perennis

• Flowering season:March to October

• Fruiting season:Daisy is likely to fruitbetween June andOctober

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Daisy seed

Daisy seedling Daisy bud

Daisy head losing florets

Fruiting head of daisy

Seed dispersal:Carried by a combination ofwind, animals and rainwater.Seed also disperses unassisted – it just drops off


easy to germinate. Sow in a

pot of soil or compost on the

surface and cover seeds

very lightly with a thin layer

of soil (2-5mm).

Flowering heads of daisy

Fun facts: The flowers are often madeinto daisy chains. One of thelongest was made in Austria and measured 4km.

Uses:In the past, daisy was used totreat bruises. It is not used forthat any more.

1mm

Daisy B 28/11/08 10:24 Page 2

Where it can be found:This plant is verycommon in waste ground,and is also found along thesides of roads, near the seaand by rivers and streams.

Description:The flowers are similar todandelions but the plant hassmall scaly leaves packedalong purple stems. Big heart-shaped green leaves appearafter the plant has finishedflowering and fruiting.

Tussilago farfara

• Common names:Coltsfoot, coughwort

• Scientific name: Tussilago farfara

• Flowering season:February to April

• Fruiting season:Likely to fruit betweenApril and June


1mm

Coltsfootseed

Coltsfoot seedling Coltsfoot plants in habitat

Fruiting head of coltsfoot

Basal leaves of coltsfoot

after flowering and fruiting







Flowering heads of coltsfoot

Coltsfoot's silky seeds wereonce used as a stuffing formattresses.

The fruiting head looks like adandelion ‘clock’.

Uses:Coltsfoot has been used as anatural food flavouring.

Fun facts: The name Tussilago means‘stopping a cough’.


Where it can be found:Dandelion can be foundthroughout the UK and isoften found in lawns, byroadsides and on theedges of paths.

Description:The yellow flower-likestructure is made up of lots oflittle flowers. Each yellowpetal-like structure is a flower.The seed head is a round ballof seeds each with its ownparachute (dandelion clock).

Taraxacum officinale

• Common names:Dandelion, lion’s tooth,blowball

• Scientific name: Taraxacum officinale

• Flowering season:March to October

• Fruiting season:This plant usually fruitsbetween April andOctober

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1mm

Dandelionseed

Dandelion seedling Dandelion bud

Unopened fruiting head of dandelion

Fruiting head of dandelion

showing seeds and parachutes







Dandelion in flower

Fun facts: The English name dandelioncomes from 'dent de lion'meaning 'lion's tooth',because of its coarsely-toothed leaves.

Uses:Dandelion is used as a food.Young dandelion leaves makea good vegetable green, eithercooked or in salads. The rootscan be roasted and groundand used to make a drink.

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Where it can be found:Elder is widespread andvery common. It is foundin woods and on scrub orwaste ground.

Description:Elder is a shrub or tree withflat-topped clusters of tinyscented white flowers. Afterflowering, the dark purplefruits (berries) hang in largeclusters. The leaves are madeup of five leaflets.

Sambucus nigra

• Common names:Elder, Judas tree, pipetree, black elder

• Scientific name: Sambucus nigra

• Flowering season:May to July

• Fruiting season:This plant usuallyproduces fruit betweenSeptember and October

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2mm

Elder seed

Elder seedling Elder flower buds

Elder with flower open

Elder in fruit

Seed dispersal:Carried by animals (birds)

Germination: These seeds

are interesting to collect so

that you can learn about

their uses. They are very

difficult to process and

germinate.

Elder plant in habitat

Fun facts: Elder stems can easily behollowed out by removing the soft material inside. In thepast, the hollowed-out stemswere used to make whistles.

Uses:Elderberries are used to makewine and the flowers to makecordial and elderflowerchampagne.

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Where it can be found:Garlic mustard is foundin hedgerows or at theedge of woods andscrubland.

Description:Garlic mustard is a tall plantwith heart shaped leaves andlittle white flowers with fourpetals. It smells strongly ofgarlic when crushed.

Alliaria petiolata

• Common names:Garlic mustard, Jack bythe hedge, poor man'smustard

• Scientific name: Alliaria petiolata

• Flowering season:April to July

• Fruiting season:This plant usually fruitsbetween June andNovember

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Garlic mustard

seed

Garlic mustard seedling Mature garlic mustard plant

Flowering and fruiting head of garlic mustard

Garlic mustard plant in fruit

Seed dispersal:Seed dispersal methodunknown or uncertain

Germination: This seed may

be difficult to germinate but

might germinate better if

sown on a wetted tissue and

chilled in the fridge for two to

three months first.

Afterwards, sow in a pot of

soil or compost on the

surface and cover seeds very

lightly with a thin layer of soil

(2-5mm).

Flowering garlic mustard plant in habitat

Fun facts: The seeds were once usedas a snuff to make yousneeze!

The caterpillars of the orange-tipped butterfly love to eat theyoung fruits of this plant.

Uses:When crushed, the leavessmell of garlic. Choppedleaves can be added to salads.

1mm

Garlic Mustard 28/11/08 10:29 Page 2

Where it can be found:The plant is often foundin hedgerows, at the edgeof woods or in scrubland.

Description:This small tree or shrub haslong sharp thorns and prettywhite flowers with five petals.The fruits are dark red andfleshy like a rose hip.

Crataegus monogyna

• Common names:Hawthorn, Mayblossom, whitethorn

• Scientific name: Crataegus monogyna

• Flowering season:May to June

• Fruiting season:Likely to fruit betweenSeptember andNovember

Hawthorn 28/11/08 10:31 Page 1

5mm

Hawthorn seed

Hawthorn seedlings Mature hawthorn in flower

Hawthorn showing early fruit

Hawthorn showing

mature fruit

Seed dispersal:Carried by animals

Germination: These seeds

are interesting to collect so

that you can learn about their

uses, but are very difficult to

process and germinate.

Flowering heads of hawthorn

Fun facts: The flowers are traditionallyused as decoration onfestivals like ‘May Day’ in theUK, where some peoplecelebrate by dancing around the maypole.

Uses:Hawthorn can be used as ahedge, and is often used toline farmers' fields.

Hawthorn 28/11/08 10:31 Page 2

Where it can be found:Mallow is found onwaste ground, roadsideverges and sometimes in fields.

Description:This is quite a tall bushyplant. The bright pink flowersare made up of five narrowdark veined petals. Theleaves on the stem are ivyshaped. The fruits are roundand flattish.

Malva sylvestris

• Common names:Mallow, high mallow,pancake plant, cheeseflower

• Scientific name: Malva sylvestris

• Flowering season:June to September

• Fruiting season:This plant usually fruitsbetween July andOctober

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Mallowseed

Mallow seedlings Mallow flower bud opening

Mallow in field habitat

Fruiting head of mallow

in roadside habitat

Seed dispersal:Seed dispersal method unknown or uncertain

Germination: This seed

needs help to germinate. The

tough seed coat must be

damaged to allow the seed to

take up water. In nature this

might happen when the seeds

are eaten by an animal. In the

lab they would be rubbed with

sandpaper. Afterwards, sow

in a pot of soil or compost on

the surface and cover seeds

very lightly with a thin layer of

soil (2-5mm).

Mallow showing full flower and buds

Fun facts: Nearly all the folk namesfrom the past for this plantare to do with the round shapeof the fruit – for examplepancake plant and cheeseflower.

Uses:Young mallow shoots used tobe eaten as a vegetable up to Roman times.

1mm

Mallow B 28/11/08 10:32 Page 2

Where it can be found:Mugwort is a verycommon plant growing inrough and uncultivatedplaces, such as wasteground and roadsides.

Description:Mugwort is a tall uprightplant. The leaves have lots ofwhite hairs underneath butare dark green with no hairson the top. The tall spikes offlowers are not very pretty.The tiny flowers can beyellowish-brown or purple.

Artemisia vulgaris

• Common names:Mugwort, wild wormwood

• Scientific name: Artemisia vulgaris

• Flowering season:July to September

• Fruiting season:This plant usually fruitsbetween September andearly November

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Mugwort seed

Mugwort seedling Mugwort in bud

Flowering head of mugwort

Mugwort in fruit

Seed dispersal:Seed dispersal method unknown or uncertain


easy to germinate but prefers

light for germination. Sow in a


surface.

Mature mugwort plant in flower

Fun facts: Mugwort was thought tohave magical properties toprotect travellers fromexhaustion. The Romansplanted it by roads for passers-by to pick and put in their shoes,hoping it would relieve their feet.

Uses:Mugwort used to be used toflavour drinks.

1mm

Mugwort 28/11/08 10:35 Page 2

Where it can be found:Plantain can be foundon waste ground and inwell-trodden places likepaths and lawns.

Description:The leaves are quite long andnarrow, strongly veined andcovered in silky hairs.The flowers are pale greenish–yellow or pale brown and arepacked together to make an ovalflower head.

Plantago lanceolata

Common names:Ribwort plantain, Englishman’sfoot or white man’s foot, blackjack, cocks and hens, fightingcocks, swords and spears.

Scientific name: Plantago lanceolata

Flowering season:April to October

Fruiting season:This plant usually fruits between May and November

Plantain B 28/11/08 10:36 Page 1

Plantain seedling Plantain in waste

ground habitat

Flowering head of plantain

Fruiting head of plantain

Seed dispersal:Carried by animals (sticking like dust), and wind as they are very small

Germination:

This seed should germinate

easily but needs light to

germinate. Sow in a pot of

soil or compost on the surface.

Showing whole plantain plant

Fun facts: Plantain has over sixty different common names!

Uses:Saxons bound it to theirheads to try and treatheadaches, but it’s not usedfor this now!

Plantain B 28/11/08 10:36 Page 2

Where it can be found:Red clover is found ingrasslands, waysides andwaste ground.

Description:This plant grows low down inthe grass. The flowers are redor reddish purple in small tightround heads. The leaves are amade up of three leafletsoften marked with a whitishcrescent.

Trifolium pratense

• Common names:Red clover, meadow clover,wild clover

• Scientific name: Trifolium pratense

• Flowering season:May to September

• Fruiting season:Likely to fruit between June and October

Red Clover B 28/11/08 10:38 Page 1

Red clover seed

Red clover seedlings Red clover plant with leaves

showing white crescent markings

Red clover flowering heads some turning into fruiting heads

Red clover in fruit

Seed dispersal: Carried byanimals and also dispersesunassisted – it just drops off


needs help to germinate.

The tough seed coat must

be damaged to allow the

seed to take up water. In

nature this might happen

when the seeds are eaten.

In the lab they would be

rubbed with sandpaper.





of soil (2-5mm).

Red cloverflowering head

Uses:If red clover is grown in afield it can help fertilise thesoil, making it better forgrowing crops – in the sameway as adding manure.

Fun facts: If a rare four-leaved clover is found it is supposed tobring the owner good luck.

1mm

Red Clover B 28/11/08 10:38 Page 2

Where it can be found:Self heal is found ingrasslands, waste groundand in woodland in openspaces.

Description:The plant is covered in finehairs. The flowers are purpleand closely packed, formingsquare heads. The leaves arestalked, oval and appear inopposite pairs.

Prunella vulgaris

• Common names:Self heal, hook heal, sicklywort, carpenter wort

• Scientific name: Prunella vulgaris

• Flowering season:June to October

• Fruiting season:This plant usually fruitsbetween June andNovember

Self Heal 28/11/08 10:39 Page 1

Self heal seed

Self heal seedling Self heal in bud

Mature self heal plant in habitat

Fruiting head of self heal

Seed dispersal:Seed dispersal methodunknown or uncertain



light for germination. Sow in

a pot of soil or compost on

the surface.

Self heal in flower

Fun facts: Self heal leaves can be eatenin salad, although they tastea bit bitter.

Self heal is related to mint.

Uses:The common name self healsuggests that in the pastpeople believed this plantcould treat illness or injury. It was often used on wounds.It is not used for this today.

1mm

Self Heal 28/11/08 10:39 Page 2

Where it can be found:Shepherd’s purse is found on waste andcultivated ground everywhere.

Description:Shepherd's purse is a smallplant with arrow-shapedleaves on the stem, littlegroups of leaves near thebottom of the plant, four-petalled white flowers andlittle heart-shaped fruits.

Capsellabursa-pastoris

Common names:Shepherd’s purse, lady’spurse, pickpocket, shepherd'sheart, pepper and salt

Scientific name: Capsella bursa-pastoris

Flowering season:Amost all year

Fruiting season:It is best to collect fruitsbetween May and October

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Shepherd's purse seed

Shepherd's purse seedlings Shepherd's purse in

roadside habitat

Shepherd's purse spike in flower and fruit

Shepherd's purse in fruit

Seed dispersal:Eaten and regurgitated by animals



might germinate better if sown

on a wetted tissue and chilled

in the fridge for two to three

months first. Afterwards, sow

in a pot of soil or compost on



soil (2-5mm).

Shepherd's purse flowering head

Fun facts: If sprinkled on water wheremosquitoes are breeding, the seed is helpful in keepingnumbers down.

Uses:Shepherd's purse can be usedfor flavouring soup.

1mm

Shepherd's Purse B 28/11/08 10:41 Page 2

The flowers appear incatkins – male ones andfemale ones.

Where it can be found:The tree can often be foundin woods and on sandyheaths and moors.

Description:Silver birch isa tall slendertree withsilvery-whitebark. Theleaves are

oval and pointed at the tip.

Betula pendula

• Common names:Silver birch

• Scientific name:Betula pendula

• Flowering season:April to May

• Fruiting season:This plant usuallyproduces fruit betweenAugust and September

Silver Birch B 28/11/08 10:42 Page 1

1mm

Silver birch seed

Silver birch seedling Young silver birch

Silver birch catkins

Silver birch in fruit

Seed dispersal: Carried by wind(has a winged shape), andpossibly also by animals



warmer temperatures. Sow in

a pot of soil or compost on



soil (2-5mm).

Mature silver birch tree

brooms – the ones thatwitches have in stories.

In the past, birch sap wasmade into beer, flavouredwith honey, cloves and lemonpeel. It is still used to makesilver birch wine.

Uses:Silver birch has an attractivetrunk, and is often seen ingardens and parks.

Fun facts: The twigs are often gatheredand made into besom

Silver Birch B 28/11/08 10:42 Page 2

Where it can be found:Found in grassland,roadside verges, andwaste ground.

Description:The leaves are spear orarrow shaped and clasp thestem. The flowers arerounded and tiny. They arereddish to greenish brownand grow in clusters alongbranched spikes.

Rumex acetosa

• Common names:Sorrel, common sorrel,spinach sorrel

• Scientific name: Rumex acetosa

• Flowering season:May to July

• Fruiting season:This plant usually fruits between June and August

Sorrel 28/11/08 10:45 Page 1

Sorrel seed

Sorrel seedling Sorrel in bud

Flowering heads of sorrel

Fruiting heads of sorrel

Seed dispersal:Carried by wind (winged)


is easy to germinate but




Mature sorrel plant in habitat

Fun facts: The name Rumex comesfrom the Latin word meaning'to suck' (rumo), as Romansused to suck the leaves to stopthem feeling thirsty.

Uses:The leaves can be used insalads and to flavour saucesand soups.

The juice of the plant can beused to remove ink or ironstains from linen.

1mm

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Where it can be found:Spear thistle can befound in fields, verges,gardens and wasteground.

Description:The stems of this tall plant havespiny wings. The leaves arespear shaped, lobed and spiny.The globe-like purple flowerhead is made up of lots of littleflowers (florets). Each fruitcontains one seed with aparachute of soft feathery hairs.

Cirsium vulgare

• Common names:Spear thistle, commonthistle, bell thistleScotch thistle

• Scientific name: Cirsium vulgare

• Flowering season:July to October

• Fruiting season:This plant usuallyproduces fruit betweenJuly and October

Spear Thistle B 28/11/08 10:46 Page 1

Spear thistle seed

Spear thistle seedling Spear thistle leaves

Mature spear thistle with flower

Spear thistle in fruit



germinates easily but




Unopened bud of spear thistle

It is said that it prevented anight attack by the Danes inthe Battle of Largs inScotland because the enemycried out loudly in pain as theystepped on thistles while movingaround. Ouch!

Uses:The downy seed head makesexcellent tinder for a fire - it iseasily lit by a spark.

Fun facts: This is probably the true Scotsthistle, the flower of Scotland.

1mm

Spear Thistle B 28/11/08 10:46 Page 2

Where it can be found:White campion can befound on field edges,hedge banks, road vergesand disturbed ground.

Description:The leaves are paired, spearshaped and hairy, the stemsare hairy too. The whiteflowers are made up of five petals which aredeeply lobed.

Silene latifolia (used to be called Silene alba)

Common names:White campion, cow-rattle,cockle, cuckoo flower, thunder flower, white bachelors'button, white robin.

Scientific name: Silene latifolia

Flowering season:May to October

Fruiting season:This plant usually producesfruit between May andOctober

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White campion seed

White campion seedling White campion in flower

and bud

White campion in a field edge habitat

White campion fruiting head

Seed dispersal:Carried by wind, or rolls along






(2-5mm).

White campion in flower

Fun facts: The plant produces a scentat night because unlikemany wild flowers theyremain open as it becomesdark at night. The scent attracts moths which pollinatethe flowers.

Uses:The roots of this plant used tobe made into soap to washclothes.

1mm

White Champion B 28/11/08 10:47 Page 2

Where it can be found:Hedgerows roadsideverges and waste grounds.

Description:White deadnettle stems have asquare shape. The leaves areheart-shaped and wrinkled.They are found in pairs eitherside of the stem. The flowersare white and have a hoodedtop which makes them look alittle like tiny slippers.

Lamium album

• Common names:White deadnettle, bee nettle

• Scientific name:Lamium album

• Flowering season:May to December

• Fruiting season:This plant usually fruitsbetween May andDecember

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White deadnettle seed

White deadnettle seedling White deadnettle plant

Mature white deadnettle plant

White deadnettle in fruit

Seed dispersal:Carried by animals (ants)



might germinate better if

sown on a wetted tissue and

chilled in the fridge for two to

three months first.





of soil (2-5mm).

White deadnettle with buds and open flowers

Fun facts: Children can make whistlesfrom the square stems byhollowing out the middle.

Although it looks a lot like anordinary nettle, it doesn’t sting – so it is called deadnettle.

Uses:White deadnettle is used tomake herbal tea and can beboiled and eaten like spinach.

1mm

White Deadnettle B 28/11/08 10:48 Page 2

Where it can be found:Yarrow is commonlyfound in dry grassland,hedge banks, at the edgeof woods, waste ground,roadsides and untendedlawns or village greens.

Description:Yarrow is a tall, hairy plantwith feathery leaves. The flatwhite or pinkish floweringparts at the top of the plantare made up of lots of littleflowers packed together.

Achillea millefolium

Common names:Yarrow, milfoil, field hops,hundred leaved grass,soldier’s woundwort

Scientific name: Achillea millefolium

Flowering season:June to November

Fruiting season:This plant usually fruitsbetween July and November

Yarrow B 28/11/08 10:49 Page 1

Yarrowseed

Yarrow seedling Young yarrow plant

showing leaves

Many flowering heads of yarrow

Fruiting head of yarrow

Seed dispersal:Carried by wind






(2-5mm).

Yarrow floweringhead in bud

Fun facts: The Latin name millefoliummeans ‘thousand leaves’ –describing the very manyparts of the feathery leaves.

Uses:Young plants often used to beeaten like spinach. If plantednear crops, yarrow helps tokeep harmful insects away.

1mm

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