Plants typical for Poland
TREES Linden/Lipa
Latin name: Tilia Description: The linden is a tall tree, reaching 2040m, with big heart shaped leafs. The flowers have a yellowishwhite color and a strong perfume. The tree is resistant to cold temperatures and wind, being found in mountainous regions. Use: • It is successfully utilized against states of anxiety and irritability. • It is used as a tea for treating colds and influenza.
Pine tree/Sosna zwyczajna
Plants typical for Poland
Latin name: Pinus sylvestris Description: Pines are evergreen, coniferous resinous trees (or rarely shrubs) growing 3–80 m tall, with the majority of species reaching 15–45 m tall. They are long-lived, typically reaching ages of 100–1,000 years, some even more. Use: • Pines are among the most important of tree species, valued for their timber and used in carpentry • Pine oil, obtained by extracting essential oils from the needles of pine trees, is a strong medicinal aid. Extracts of pine are powerful anti-septic agents. It also holds anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, insecticidal, diuretic, aromatic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Weeping willow/Wierzba płacząca
Plants typical for Poland
Latin name: Salix alba Description: The tree grows to be 18m tall, and has a spreading crown with many drooping twigs hanging from upright branches. They are usually found in very moist soils, usually near a body of water.
Use: • Willow wood is also used in the manufacture of boxes, brooms, cradle boards, chairs and other furniture • Willows produce a modest amount of nectar from which bees can make honey, and are especially valued as a source of early pollen for bees. •
Willow is grown for biomass or biofuel
BUSHES
Plants typical for Poland
Yew/Cis pospolity
Latin name: Taxus baccata Description: It is a small- to medium-sized evergreen tree, growing 10–20 metres. Yew (Taxus) is one of the most popular evergreens used in landscaping.
Use: • Carpentry - it has one of the hardest woods of all • It gives food for many species of birds and mammals • It is used to treat ailments like rheumatism, fever, and even arthritis. .
Plants typical for Poland
Juniper/Jałowiec pospolity
Latin name: Juniperus communis Description: Junipers vary in size and shape from tall trees, 20–40 m tall, to columnar or low spreading shrubs with long trailing branches. They are evergreen with needle-like and/or scale-like leaves.
Use: • Juniper berries are used in northern European cuisine to meat dishes. • Juniper berry is used as a medication since juniper berries are a diuretic and also thought to be an appetite stimulant and a remedy for rheumatism and arthritis.
Plants typical for Poland
Raspberry/Malina właściwa
Latin name: Rubus idaeus Description: This bush grows to 200 cm and can yield several hundred berries a year. It is easy to grow because it doesn’t need fertile soil. Raspberry has a tendency to spread. It grows naturally in the wild.
Use: Raspberry is a rich source of vitamin C that is why it is drunk during a cold ( hot raspberry juice ).
Plants typical for Poland
HERBS Thyme / Macierzanka zwyczajna
Latin name: Thymus pulegioides Description: Thyme is best cultivated in hot, sunny location with well – drained soil. It is generally planted in the spring and thereafter grows as a perennial. It can be propagated by seed, cuttings or by diving rooted sections of the plant .It grows to 40 cm. It appears on meadows, pastures or rocky areas.
Use: • Dried thyme is used as a part of herbs of Provence. • Tea made of thyme is used for cough and bronchitis.
Plants typical for Poland
Poppy / Mak polny
Latin name: Papaver rhoeas
Description: Poppy flowers have 4 to 6 petals. Poppies can grow to 90 cm. Poppies are in full bloom late spring to early summer. They grow on meadows and can grow in poor soil.
Use: • Seeds of poppy are used in special cakes which are called „ makowiec “. This cake is typical of Poland and delicious. • Poppy is used as a medicinal alkaloid opium which has been used since ancients times to create analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drugs.
Chamomile/Rumianek pospolity
Plants typical for Poland
Latin name: Matricaria chamomill Description: Chamomile is very common plant in Poland and it grows on meadows, pastures and near the roads. The plant grows in full shine and blooms in the middle of summer. Chamomile grows to 60 cm. It isn’t demanding plant. Use : • The plant is best known as a remedy which is used to help with sleep. • Chamomile is frequently added to skin cosmetics to serve as an emollient and for its anti – inflammatory effects.
Saffron/Szafran spiski
Plants typical for Poland
Latin name: Crocus scepusiensis Borbas Description: Saffron in Poland grows to 20 – 30 cm and bears up to four flowers. Saffron grows in the wild and starts blooming in early spring. They grow best in full sunlight. They prefer friable, loose, well – watered and well – drained soil.
Use: • Saffron is used as a spice and it is one of the most expensive spices. • It is also used in medicine as a helpful remedy for depression.
Snowdrop /Śnieżyczka przebiśnieg
Plants typical for Poland
Latin name: Galanthus nivalis Description: Snowdrop grows from a bulb. The flower has no petals: it consists from six tepals. The leaves die back a few weeks after the flowers fade. It grows to 30 cm. It is not demanding plant. Snowdrop is in the bloom between February and March.
Use: • Snowdrop is a decorative plant. It is planted in gardens and parks. • It can be helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Blueweed/Żmijowiec zwyczajny
Plants typical for Poland
Latin name: Echium vulgare Description: The plant grows to 80 cm. It has rough, hairy, lanceolate leaves. The flowers start pink and turn into vivid blue. The pollen is blue. Blueweed blooms between May and September. It likes dry and poor soil. The plant prefers sunny places.
Use: •
It is grown as a decorative plant in gardens.