Plants in Cornwall UK

Deb Kinnard · Aug 16, 2009

I'm in a bit of a stall, research-speaking. I need to ask someone familiar with Cornwall, what herbs grow wild there. It's for my WIP. The 14th century healer in the story needs a particular medicinal herb (haven't figured that out yet--I'm plotting this backwards) that doesn't grow in Cornwall, but does in other parts of England. Ideally it'd be someplace a rider could travel to and from in a matter of days, bringing back the required herb. Lancaster, Leicester, Derbyshire, Northumberland and points north are probably too far.

Anyone willing/able, please weigh in or send me a PM.

Thanks!

stephenf · Aug 16, 2009

I can't answer your question but you can try www.complete-herbal.com It is a big site and you will need the time to search for what your looking for.However, it has a lot of detailed info on were herbs are to-be found.

Eponaleah · Aug 16, 2009

I had to research the same thing for my novel and found that the trees that grew anciently in Cornwell included:
Oak, Willow, Ash and Elder

Try this link for their uses:

http://www.shee-eire.com/Herbs,Trees&Fungi/Misc/Medical-properties.htm

Cornish placenames suggest that these trees were abundant as well:

Alders
Hazel
Furze
Holly
Beech

Also, here is a link to the Botanical Cornwall group that helped me in my research for the same.

http://www.floracam.co.uk/bcg/news_letters/bcgnews_1.pdf

Hope this helps!

Shakesbear · Aug 16, 2009

There is also the complete herbal! see here:
http://www.bibliomania.com/2/1/66/113/frameset.html

Deb Kinnard · Aug 16, 2009

Stephen, Epona, Shakes -- thank you. I will now hie me to these sites and see what I can dig up (pun intended).

Plants in Cornwall UK

Deb Kinnard

stephenf

Eponaleah

Check out my Photoblography!

Shakesbear

knows a hawk from a handsaw

Deb Kinnard