A stroll around my neighbourhood, led me to some very useful plants and a poisonous one, today…

Firstly, Annual Nettle (Urticaria urens). Full of nutrients, rather like it’s better known perennial sister but with less ferocious stings. If you are used to seeing Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) around town you may notice that this annual has more toothed leaf edges.

Next is a handsome, deep rooted Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis agg.)

Then a strong, protective Ivy plant (Hedera helix) in full autumn insect feeding bloom.

Here is a lively patch of vitamin packed Chickweed (Stellaria media) making three most of a protective playground fence.

Here’s a tiny Hollyhock seedling, growing in a pavement crack.

I also liked the look of this decorative (and edible) Pansy (Viola tricolor).

And a lovely nutritious Mallow growing against the building where I live.

Lastly a striking plant which I’m quite sure is a poisonous nightshade. This one seems to be used as a decorative addition to pavement garden. I will try to find it’s name but think it is sometimes called Love Apple, Nicandra spp.