Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium. Feverfew is a traditional medicinal herb commonly used to prevent migraine headaches, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. The plant grows into a small bush up to around 46 cm (18 in) high with citrus-scented leaves, and is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies. It is also sometimes referred to as bachelor’s buttons.
False oat grass, Arrhenatherum elatius. This course grass, which can grow as high as 150cm tall, will grow in a wide range of neutral to base rich habitats from sea-level up to 550m. It is often used as an ornamental grass.
Cyclamen, Cyclamen hederifolium. Wild Cyclamen is native in Europe and the Mediterranean and has escaped from gardens and naturalised in many areas across southern Britain. It prefers dappled shade or an undisturbed woodland setting where it will quickly spread, but it will grow in full sun. Rosy pink flowers from August to December. Dark green ivy-like leaves mottled with pale silvery-green. […]
Creeping thistle, Cirsium arvense. Other names include Lettuce from hell thistle and Cursed thistle. It forms extensive colonies via an underground root system. Seeds have a feathery pappus which helps with wind dispersal. Seeds are important for Goldfinch and Linnet and used as a food by over 20 species of butterfly including Painted Lady. It’s an invasive species, present in the […]
Crocus, Crocus chrysanthus. Bears vivid bowl-shaped flowers. Its common name, “snow crocus”, derives from its exceptionally early flowering period, blooming about two weeks before the giant crocus, and often emerging through the snow in late winter or early spring. The leaves are narrow with a silver central stripe. Present, although probably planted, on the northern section in Muswell Hill.
Creeping buttercup, Ranunculus repens. With a Latin name sounding somewhat like a Harry Potter spell, this bright yellow flowering plant is, like most buttercups, poisonous and due to its acrid taste, avoided by cattle. The basal leaves are divided into three broad leaflets. The plant grows to 50cm high and spreads by use of running stems. WT
Creeping bent, Agrostis stolonifera. As well as growing in woodlands, grasslands, meadows and wetlands, this grass is often used for turf in gardens and landscapes, particularly on golf courses. Its ability to remain palatable and green in summer also makes it popular for livestock forage
Cow parsley, Anthriscus sylvestris. Cow Parsley grows in sunny to semi-shaded locations in meadows and at the edges of hedgerows and woodland. It is sufficiently common and fast-growing to be considered a nuisance weed in gardens. It is linked to a number of healing qualities but beware not to confuse it with Poison hemlock.
Common hogweed, Heraculeum sphondylium. This sturdy plant, which grows between 50 and 200 cm, is also known as cow parsnip (not to be confused with cow parsley). It was originally used as pig’s fodder hence the name hogweed. The flowers form large umbrella shapes and attract lots of flies, mainly due to the nasty scent it produces. This is not the […]
Cuckoo pint, Arum maculatum. A common woodland plant species of the Araceae family. Also known as lords and ladies, it has other less attractive names such as snakeshead and devils and angels that hint that it may be something to avoid. It is one of the most common causes of accidental plant poisoning, based on attendance at hospital A & […]
