Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum)
Perennial herb [2p171] Flowers July to September, seeds ripen from August to October. Self-fertile. Tolerant of different soils and pH range. Can grow in light or semi-shade [2].
Uses mainly as a detoxifying herb for fevers, colds, flu, other viral conditions and can stimulate the removal of waste via the kidneys [3]. There are other references to the herb’s medicinal use that suggest research is needed to determine any future potential [3.1] for example recent studies suggest it may help in the treatment of cancer*[4]. Currently available as an essential oil, extract and tincture (e.g £12.49/100ml). It is also grown and sold as a cut flower.
Wildlife Benefits Attracts wildlife3. Pollinated by bees, flies, beetles, moths, and butterflies. Nectar source for the peacock, brown hair-streak and gatekeeper butterfly [6].
Meadow Sweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
Perennial herb. Upright, erect growth habit, cream flowers, grows to 1.2m by 0.4m (medium rate). Neutral to alkaline pH, wet or moist soils. Flowers June to August [3].
Uses Meadow sweet is one of the three most sacred herbs of the Druids [4]. Well known as a flavouring for beer, vinegar, jam and mead, as an aromatic and medicinal herb. The plant does contain an aspirin like compound, care needed when using as a flavouring. Other uses include dyes from the roots and flowers. The current interest is as a botanical flavouring for gin, in demand with the popularity of flavoured gins. Produced as an essential oil used in perfumery [3.1] and as a tincture (e.g £11.99/100ml, dried material (e.g £5.49/50g) or powdered.
Wildlife Benefits Attracts wildlife. Meadowsweet is the food plant for the larvae of several moth species including the emperor moth, grey pug, Hebrew character, lime-speck pug, mottled beauty, and the satellite7. Many species of insects are attracted to the flowers [5].
Water Cress (Rorippa, nasturtium aquaticum)
A perennial herb [2p46], fast growingand reaching a height up to 0.5m by 1m. It is self fertile and grows in a range of soils and pH. Water Cress prefers light and can grow in water or a wet soil [3]. The water needs to be clean, it cannot tolerate pollution.
Uses The plant is well known for its value as a food and medicinal qualities. The leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals and its main use is as a garnish and addition to salads. The wholesale price for watercress in the UK was £9.96/Kg in August 2019 [8].
Wildlife Benefits attracts wildlife and pollinators; bees and flies [3].
Lady’s Smock, Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis)
Perennial wildflower, growing to 0.5m by 0.3m, upright habit, pink to white flowers. Flowering is from April to June and the seeds ripen from May to July. The plant is self-fertile, tolerant of a range of soil types and pH. It will grow in light and light shade.
Uses as an infusion of leaves to treat indigestion and promote appetite [7] and as a medicinal application for the treatment of chronic skin complaints, asthma and hysteria [4] .
Wildlife Benefits Attracts pollinators; bees, flies, moths and butterflies. Food plant for caterpillars of the orange-tip and green-veined white tip butterfly. Nectar source for peacock butterfly [6] .
Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)
A perennial herb [2p34] growing to 1m by 1m. Pollinated by bees.It can grow in light or semi-shade and prefers moist or wet soils but will tolerate growing in water.
Uses historically as repellent for flies, mice and rats and a strewing herb because of its strong pungent aroma. Used in herbal baths and pillows2 Now the leaves of the plant are mainly used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods and as a herbal tea, they are pungent and strong [2]. One current retail price for dried mint leaves is £26.20/Kg. The oil in the leaves is antiseptic, and can be used as a mouthwash in small doses [3]. Other products include shampoo and conditioner.
Wildlife Benefits Attracts pollinators, nectar source for the peacock, gatekeeper, small tortoiseshell and holly blue butterfly [6].
References
1 W. Wichtmann, C. Schröder and H. Joosten (eds.) Paludiculture – productive use of wet peatlands: Climate protection – biodiversity – regional economic benefits. Schweitzerbart, Stuttgart. pp. 100- 101. (ISBN: 9783510652839) 2p46 Roger Phillips and Nicky Foy, Herbs, ISBN 0-330-32600-7, 3 Plants for a future, www.pfaf.org ,3.1 general reference source Plants for a future, www.pfaf.org and text provides direct reference sources,4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of herbs and their Uses Dorling Kindersley, London 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31, 5 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1079 ISBN 0-85613-067-2, 6 UK Butterflies Larval food and Nectar sources https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php 7 https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-w...8 https://www.statista.com/statistics/467134/watercr...* More research is required to confirm this use.
Images: Free Nature Images http://www.freenatureimages.eu/ 1 Saxifraga-Rudmer Zwerver, 2 Saxifraga-Jan van der Straaten, 4 Saxifraga-Hans Dekker, 5 Saxifraga-Peter Meininger & 3 Northeast Wildlife Trust