PERSEVERANCE OF WILLOWHERB
Left to Right - Rosebay willowherb - Great willowherb -Elephant hawk moth
Common Name: Rosebay Willowherb Latin : Epilobium angustifolium Family: Onagraceae
History and/or use: Edible young shoots. Herb for asthma and whooping cough
Wildlife Value: Nectar source for invertebrates and food plant for Elephant hawk moth.
'On the breeze my fluff is blown; So my airy seeds are sown.
Where the earth is burnt and sad, I will come to make it glad.
All forlorn and ruined places, All neglected open spaces,
I can cover- only think- With a mass of rosy pink.
Burst then, seed-pods; breezes, blow!
Far and wide my seeds shall go!'
Cicely Mary Barker 1925
Rosebay willowherb of the three species mentioned above is the only species that is generally safe to use for food and medicinal uses. As a herb it is used dried for whooping cough and asthma. As a food plant the young shoots can be steamed and peeled and its pith is used to thicken soups. The leaves can be used as a garnish or dried for a tea.
Please do not use unless you are 100% familiar with this plant.
This plant became well known during the war as it brightened up London bomb sites that it effectively colonised in World War Two.
Hoverflies, bees and the caterpillars of the elephant hawk moth are supported by this plant.
The Great Willowherb (E.hirsutum) has a local name of ‘codlins and cream.’ Some say codlin means cooking apples due to the smell of the plant undetectable by most people or maybe it refers to the seed capsule known as ‘Codde’. Hirsutum means hairy which the plant is and ‘Willowherb’ refers to its slender stems and leaves.
Meditation on Willowherb
Willow herb grows quickly and effectively in open spaces that have been cleared. Rising from the ashes of World War Two bomb sites it shows incredible perseverance and determination. Meditate on this plant to connect with an energy that is not deterred by difficulties and is prepared to keep going, rising its head above the parapet to risk being seen . A strong plant with great perseverance.
Common Name: Rosebay Willowherb Latin : Epilobium angustifolium Family: Onagraceae
History and/or use: Edible young shoots. Herb for asthma and whooping cough
Wildlife Value: Nectar source for invertebrates and food plant for Elephant hawk moth.
'On the breeze my fluff is blown; So my airy seeds are sown.
Where the earth is burnt and sad, I will come to make it glad.
All forlorn and ruined places, All neglected open spaces,
I can cover- only think- With a mass of rosy pink.
Burst then, seed-pods; breezes, blow!
Far and wide my seeds shall go!'
Cicely Mary Barker 1925
Rosebay willowherb of the three species mentioned above is the only species that is generally safe to use for food and medicinal uses. As a herb it is used dried for whooping cough and asthma. As a food plant the young shoots can be steamed and peeled and its pith is used to thicken soups. The leaves can be used as a garnish or dried for a tea.
Please do not use unless you are 100% familiar with this plant.
This plant became well known during the war as it brightened up London bomb sites that it effectively colonised in World War Two.
Hoverflies, bees and the caterpillars of the elephant hawk moth are supported by this plant.
The Great Willowherb (E.hirsutum) has a local name of ‘codlins and cream.’ Some say codlin means cooking apples due to the smell of the plant undetectable by most people or maybe it refers to the seed capsule known as ‘Codde’. Hirsutum means hairy which the plant is and ‘Willowherb’ refers to its slender stems and leaves.
Meditation on Willowherb
Willow herb grows quickly and effectively in open spaces that have been cleared. Rising from the ashes of World War Two bomb sites it shows incredible perseverance and determination. Meditate on this plant to connect with an energy that is not deterred by difficulties and is prepared to keep going, rising its head above the parapet to risk being seen . A strong plant with great perseverance.