Rosaceae
The demand for rose water, perfumed oils and blooms is filled by the Damask Rose, named for the city of Damascus, Syria. It is now a plant that requires nurturing by farming families who rely on the plant to make a living; the destruction caused by war has far-reaching consequences.
Epsom & Ewell Flower Finder
Rosaceae: Rose Family
Famous for family members that appear very different to the rose in our minds eye. Some of these will surprise you.
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Agrimonia eupatoria
Agrimony, Church Steeple
Stems hairy. Height up to 0.6 metre.
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Faint, indescribable but pleasant fragrance when you handle the leaves. I nearly missed this one, growing alone in a hedgerow, Cuddington.
A herb described by Persian physician Avicenna in his book of healing (Picture: Bibliothèque interuniversitaire de santé). In many countries around the world it is enjoyed as a tea; PLEASE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PICKING.
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Geum urbanum
Wood Avens, Herb Bennet
Stems hairy. Height up to 0.7 metre.
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Grows in woodland and gardens all over the borough of Epsom and Ewell. I often come home from walks with the hooked seeds stuck to my clothes. A feature of my garden.
Grizzled Skipper: this endangered and territorial little butterfly will protect a patch of this plant. The leaves are food plants for his youngsters.
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Poterium sanguisorba subspecies balearicum
Fodder Burnet
Sparsley hairy. Height up to 1 metre.
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An introduced nutritious cattle feed. Insignificant flower clusters with female at the top, bisexuals centrally and male at the base. The bees were not at all shy when they found it on my street in Cuddington, Surrey.
This turned up in a wildflower mix. There are prettier species of burnet but the Goldfinches were thrilled with this one. The seed heads are decorative when dried and added to flower arrangements.
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Rosa canina
Dog Rose
Our commonest hedgerow rose. Height up to 4 metres.
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The fruits were gathered by children during WW2 at a rate of three pennies a pound. The processed syrup was a valuable source of vitamin C.
"Robins' Pincushions", created by a harmless insect, infest the plants. Don't destroy them! The cross section shows the grubs - often raided by hungry birds, hence the idea of a Robin pulling out pins.
HOMEMore information
SURREY'S WILDFLOWERING PROJECT is a community-led initiative, aiming to build a partnership that enables wildflowering in the county as well as promoting and celebrating the boroughs/districts diverse environments. Do take the time to find out more about the project and if you can get involved, even in a small way, you will make a difference.
THE SCC BLUE CAMPAIGN© The Epsom & Ewell Flower Finder. I'm out and about but you can get in touch via Cuddington Online Facebook 