Herbaceous plants are found in every natural zone and on every continent. They are extremely common and familiar to almost everyone. What are their most famous species and what are the features of such representatives of the flora?

Oxalis ordinary

This is a perennial, the height of which does not exceed ten centimeters. Like other plants, oxalis is distinguished by a creeping rhizome. The leaves have long petioles and heart-shaped leaves that fold lengthwise. Flowers solitary, with a white corolla, occasionally purple or lilac. The fruits look like light brown boxes. Oxalis blooms in May or June. The fruits ripen by August. Oxalis is distinguished in which the rhizome grows, and the seeds spread from the boxes. Many other herbaceous plants, examples of which will be given below, also use these methods. Oxalis is found in damp coniferous forests, its thickets tend to form a continuous cover. It can be eaten: the leaves are rich in vitamin C, suitable for soup, seasoning, salad, tea.

Stinging nettle

When compiling a list that includes perennial herbaceous plants (everyone knows examples of them), it is definitely worth mentioning this. Nettle is a perennial, reaching a height of one and a half meters. The plant has a long horizontal rhizome. The period of flowering and fruiting continues all summer. Seeds are used for propagation: one plant can produce up to twenty-two thousand of them. Nettles can often be seen along roadsides and fences, in wastelands, most often it creates dense thickets. The plant can be used for food and medicinal purposes. From young shoots, you can cook green cabbage soup, and as a prophylactic, nettle is used when there is a lack of vitamins in the body. In addition, preparations based on it are used to stop blood, to stimulate the gallbladder. Folk recipes use nettle for hair care. The plant is suitable for feeding pigs, birds, cows. From the stems it is possible to make a fiber that is suitable for making fabric or ropes, and the leaves with a rhizome were previously used as a natural dye.

Large celandine

The perennial plant reaches a height of almost a meter. Celandine has straight and branched stems with leaves, the upper side of which is green and the lower side is gray. Herbaceous plants, examples of which were given above, bloom rather inconspicuously. Quite another matter - celandine. He has bright yellow flowers located with umbrellas. The fruits are pod-shaped capsules with many seeds. Any part of the plant contains orange juice. Celandine blooms from May to August, and the fruits appear in July. You can meet the plant along roads and dwellings, in ditches, abandoned parks and gardens. It is used in veterinary medicine and medicine, as well as as an insecticide: celandine powder can protect cultural plantings from garden beetles. The juice is used to remove skin growths, and the grass is used to dye wool in yellow and red tones. If all herbaceous plants, examples of which were given above, can be eaten, then celandine is poisonous. It is not suitable for forage purposes.

River gravel

Photos and names of which are not so well known are also worthy of mention. For example, river gravel, reaching seventy centimeters in height and characterized by strong roots and a thick dark red stem. The plant has several flowers in the form of bells, with pinkish petals covered with brown veins. The fruits are distributed by people and animals, they have special trailers. Gravilat blooms in June. The fruits ripen in July. You can see the gravel along the edges of swamps or reservoirs, as well as in meadows and in the bushes. Its roots are used in traditional medicine and for making paint. This genus of herbaceous plants is harmless and suitable for cooking fresh lettuce or green seasonal soup.

Thistle marsh

Listing herbaceous plants, photos of which everyone can easily recognize, it is worth naming this species. Sow thistle is a perennial that can grow up to two and a half meters in height. The plant contains milky juice. Sow thistle is distinguished by a small powerful rhizome and arrow-shaped leaves. Its inflorescences resemble baskets located at the very top of the stem. They are distinguished by their yellow coloration. Fruits that ripen by August look like tetrahedral achenes. You can meet marsh thistle on the shore of a reservoir, quite according to the name - near a swamp, in bushes on moist soil, as well as in floodplains: in such areas, plants can be seen in the grass, by the road or in a ditch.

cottage owners and household plots use their possessions in different ways. Some cultivate a garden and harvest rich crops, others prefer a lawn instead of beds. But it is rare to find a garden plot without a flower garden or flower bed. The word "flower garden" seems to speak for itself and implies a place where flowers grow and smell fragrant.

Main characteristics

IN landscape design there is a special class of herbs that either do not bloom at all or bloom imperceptibly. These are ornamental herbaceous plants. Some look so impressive that it is already impossible to imagine a modern flower bed or front garden without them. There are a lot of herbaceous plants in nature. Only on the territory of Russia there are about 18,000 of them. But of course, not all herbs can be classified as decorative.

Herbaceous - these are plants that do not have perennial above-ground signs, they do not have stem lignification, and at the end of the growing season they die off. Herbs form the root system and shoots: leaves, stem and flower part, if any.

Classification of herbaceous plants

Herbaceous plants are classified according to various criteria. But the most convenient is the grouping of plants by life span. Their examples:

world decoration

Ornamental plantings are widely used to improve the landscape: near houses, grasses flaunt in flowerbeds and front gardens, they decorate squares and park areas in cities. From annuals, biennials and perennials create thematic compositions and modular flower beds, porters and borders.

Conditionally ornamental plants divided into deciduous and flowering:

• decorative deciduous - mosses, cereals and ferns;
• beautifully flowering - flowering plants and meadow grasses.

To date, the range of herbs is diverse, which greatly complicates the choice. But the decision should be made based not only on appearance. It is important to know the growing conditions and other characteristics, which can vary significantly depending on the type of plant.

decorative deciduous herbs

Plants with decorative foliage delight the eye with splendor and variety from spring to the first frost.

Sagebrush- biennial or perennial herbaceous plant. There are many types of wormwood, and some are even listed in the Red Book of Russia.

Most species of wormwood grow up to 60-70 cm in height, but there are also those whose growth can exceed 1.5 m. The stems of the plant are straight and branched, pubescent. The leaves are elongated and pointed, silvery in color. The flowers are small, collected in inflorescences, usually white or yellow color. Wormwood has a pleasant aroma with a slight bitterness.

To grow ornamental wormwood, you need well-drained soil and a site located on the sunny side.

Mint- not only a useful and fragrant herb, it also has decorative properties. Mint is a perennial with many species, but spearmint and peppermint are more common.

Fragrant mint stems reach a height of up to 40 cm, they are straight and stable. The leaves are green with a light border, wrinkled, exude a pleasant aroma.

Peppermint can reach a height of 120 cm. Its stems are straight, tetrahedral, branched, well leafy. The leaves are green with a purple edge, oblong-ovate, pointed and notched.

Mint unpretentious plant, but grows and reproduces better on fertile and well-moistened soil. More lighted areas are optimal for growing.

Sheep fescue- decorative grass. The plant does not form a rhizome and differs from other fescue in softer foliage.

Sheep fescue grows in a dense bush, grows from 20 to 140 cm in height. The leaves are bristly, can be different in shape: from wide to very narrow. Fescue blooms with oblong panicles of light green spikelets.

beautiful flowering plants

Beautifully flowering herbs will enliven and decorate any corner of the garden, and the name itself speaks for itself.

Adonis- a flowering herbaceous plant, in summer this beautiful flower can be found in the European part of Russia and in Western Siberia. Adonis is of two types: spring and summer.

The plant often has more than one stem, they can be simple and slightly branched, erect and deviated. Grow up to 40-50 cm in height. The leaves are very thin and stick out in different directions, because of this it seems that the stem of the flower is hairy. Sunny places are preferred for cultivation.

Spring adonis is a perennial, therefore it is more popular than summer. The flowers are solitary, bright yellow, rather large - up to 8 cm in diameter. Thanks to early flowering, it looks very impressive against the background of conifers.

Summer adonis is an annual, blooms all summer, until September. It differs from its counterpart not only in the flowering period, but also in color. Summer Adonis flowers are fiery red with black spots. It looks like a poppy.

Delphinium- fast growing and undemanding herbaceous plant. But despite their exquisite appearance and stunning beauty, even wild species take root perfectly in gardens and do not require special care.

There are many types of delphinium. From dwarfs, whose growth does not exceed 20-30 cm, and to giants that can grow up to 3-4 meters. The leaves are separate, dissected, slightly hairy. Inflorescences in the form of panicles or brushes, only a few species form single flowers. The color of delphiniums is often blue or purple, but the most popular flowers are red and yellow.

Delphiniums should be grown in shaded and calm areas with moderately moist soil. They respond well to organic fertilizers. Delphinium is drought tolerant and low temperatures, there is no need to shelter them for the winter. At the end of flowering, it quickly loses its attractive appearance, so gardeners are advised to select neighbors with a long flowering period for it.

Iris- perennial with large beautiful flowers various colors and shades. Irises are a real decoration of any flower bed or Alpine slide, they coexist perfectly and effectively combine with many other plants.

The growth of irises is from 40 to 60 cm. The leaves are flat, thin, xiphoid. Flowers solitary, unusual shape. They usually bloom from May to July.

To date, 280 species of irises are known. Most of them are unpretentious and grow equally well both in the shade and in sunny areas. Irises do not tolerate excess moisture, so they should be watered sparingly. But they do not need frequent transplantation and can grow in one place for more than five years.

evergreen herbaceous

Evergreen herbs will become the main decoration of the garden late autumn, and in the spring they will be greeted with lively green foliage.

Geichera- ground cover perennial herbaceous plant. Through the efforts of breeders, many varieties have already been bred that differ in the shape and color of the leaves. For example, the purple geyhera is distinguished by a bright and rich purple color of the leaves, while the green leaves are variegated with light green veins.

It reaches a height of 40-60 cm. The leaves are medium in size, lobed, rounded heart-shaped. During the flowering period, the plant is covered with small inflorescences of red, white and pink shades, but is valued precisely for the beauty of the leaves.

Heuchera prefer more shady places and do not require special care. When growing, an excess is undesirable. organic fertilizers and abundant watering.

aubrieta- ground cover is beautiful flowering plant. superficial root system makes it ideal and indispensable for creating a fluffy green carpet.

The plant is rather short, on average, the height does not exceed 12-16 cm. The leaves are small, with dense gray-green pubescence. At the end of May, the flowering period begins at the shaving, and by the beginning of June, all the foliage is already hidden under a bright veil of small flowers.

The obrieta is undemanding to the habitat, but it takes root better in well-drained areas and loves the sun.

Badan- a unique perennial from the Saxifrage family, which can be found in almost every garden. To date, there have been many hybrid varieties badana, they are distinguished by splendor and exotic view. This unpretentious plant looks great in shady gardens and on the banks of water bodies.

A low plant grows from 20 to 50 cm in height. Badan has large, dark green, shiny leaves in root sockets. Small flowers with a bell-shaped corolla are collected in inflorescences and have a variety of colors - from white and pale pink to bright red, purple and dark purple.

Badan does not require a lot of light, grows well and develops in shaded areas. At the same time, it is necessary to monitor the soil moisture, since this herbaceous plant does not tolerate prolonged stagnation of water. But bergenia can grow without a transplant for ten years.

Having skillfully picked up decorative plantings, even an inexperienced gardener will be able to add zest to his garden and make it unique.

Herbaceous plants are the most common, as they are found in all natural areas, anywhere in the world. There are far more of them than trees and shrubs combined. Herbaceous plants can be very different from each other in appearance, but they all share the same structure.

Characteristic features of herbaceous plants

Herbaceous plants represent a life form higher plants, main feature which is a soft aerial stem. That is, if a plant does not have a strong woody stem, it can be safely classified as a herb.

Herbaceous forms of plants consist of the following parts:

• root system most often consists of a large number of small, thin roots, among which there is no large, main root. This type is called fibrous root system. The roots absorb moisture from the ground, accumulate active substances in themselves.
• Stem soft, meaty, juicy. It delivers water and nutrients from roots to leaves, flowers, fruits.
• Leaves . The sizes, colors and shapes of the leaves can be very diverse. It is in them that most of the active substances, minerals, essential oils that determine their medicinal properties.

Rice. 1. Leaves of herbaceous plants.

• flowers . An important component of plants from which the fruit is formed.
• Fruit herbaceous plants are a real storehouse of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. They contain seeds, thanks to which further reproduction of plants occurs.

In nature, apart from soft species stems, there are also various lignified forms. Examples of herbaceous shrub plants are garden peonies, pinnate carnation, marsh wild rosemary.

Classification of herbaceous plants

Depending on the lifespan and all herbaceous plants divided into 3 main groups:

• Annuals . The ground part of the plant dies off completely with the onset of cold weather. At the same time, annual grasses have time to completely go through all stages of development.
• Biennial . Full life cycle of such plants is from 12 to 24 months. In the first year of life, they form roots, stems and leaves, after which in winter time they fall into a state of rest. In the spring, the plants “come to life” again to bloom and bear fruit.
• perennial . The peculiarity of these plants is that with the advent of winter they shed their leaves, leaving only underground organs viable: bulbs, rhizomes, tubers. These organs have the so-called renewal buds - spare buds, from which a new full-fledged plant is formed in the spring.

Rice. 2. Asters and chrysanthemums are autumn herbaceous plants.

Also, all herbaceous plants are divided into wild (live in forests, meadows, fields) and cultivated (man grows on garden plots, agricultural fields).

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Among the herbs there are real giants. So, in the southern part of Siberia, Delphinium or Larkspur grows high - a perennial poisonous herbaceous plant that can grow up to 4 meters.

Meaning and use of herbs

Man has long used herbs to his advantage:

• Herbaceous plants are cultivated throughout the world for food purposes, as well as as a forage base for domestic animals.
• Herbs have been actively used for medicinal purposes for many years. In folk medicine, such plants as chamomile, celandine, calendula, oak bark, sage and many others are widely used.
• Of particular value are spices, which are used in cooking as a condiment. These are cumin, parsley, dill, basil, garlic.

Rice. 3. Parsley.

What have we learned?

When studying the topic “Herbaceous Plants” in the program of the world around us for grade 1, we learned what the main difference between herbaceous plants is. We found out on what grounds they are classified, what is their application.

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This is the name of the life form of higher plants. Among them there are poisonous varieties and those that can be eaten. Tea is brewed from individual herbs, infusions are made for internal and external use. IN different types contains various useful substances (in the root or in the shoots), extracts of which are also used in perfumery, the production of cosmetics, household chemicals, alcoholic and without alcoholic beverages.

Avran

(lat. Gratiola officinalis) is a poisonous herbaceous plant common in Central and Eastern Europe. There are many common names for avran: God's grace, grace, feverish grass, horse tinder, moknets, deer grass, draciola, bloodthirsty. The Russian-language name is of Turkic origin and means "sick" in translation.

Aloe

To get the maximum benefit from aloe, you need to know some tricks for biostimulating the leaves of the plant. But on the other hand, if you manage to carry out the preparatory procedures correctly, aloe will clearly show its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, bactericidal and other therapeutic properties.

Altey

Marshmallow (or rather, the root of the plant, which is more often used in medicine) in some cases may well replace drugs for the treatment of the digestive and respiratory organs, serve as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent, and become the basis for medical cosmetics. But for this you need to know and observe a few simple rules procurement and processing of raw materials.

Pansies

Eastern guest - tricolor violet - known to us as "pansies" in flora"specializes" in the treatment of cardiovascular, skin and gynecological diseases. In addition, pansies can help with problems with the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system. But there are also quite serious limitations for the use of pansies in therapy.

Aster

In medicine, flowers, and roots, and stems, and leaves of the plant are used. Each of these plant elements of asters contains a specific set of substances with which they treat various diseases - from bronchitis to uterine bleeding. But in order for herbal medicine to help, you need to know how to prepare a healing remedy from asters correctly.

Astragalus Woollyflowered

Those who think about eternal (or at least very long) life pay attention to astragalus woolly-flowered. Legends say that the ruling elite regularly turned to woolly astragalus in search of a way to extend life. The plant can really solve a number of health problems if you know how to use it and be careful.

wild rosemary

In case of respiratory diseases, they use rosemary herb in the form of infusions, it is also a diuretic, disinfectant and antiseptic.

Oil from the rosemary plant is an ideal remedy for the common cold.

periwinkle

There are many things about the periwinkle beautiful legends emphasizing the importance of this plant in folk culture and medicine. And modern research only confirms the powerful healing potential of periwinkle, which can manifest itself as a means of dilating blood vessels, soothing nervous system, reducing pressure and relieving from a number of other health problems.

Valerian

Valerian in herbal preparations is usually responsible for the calming effect, diuretic function and restoration of the digestive tract. However, its possibilities are much wider. Both in scientific and folk medicine, valerian is successfully used in the complex treatment of thyroid diseases, asthma, epilepsy and some other serious diseases.

cornflower

Decoctions and infusions of cornflower are used for: inflammatory and chronic kidney diseases, inflammation of the urinary tract, edema, urolithiasis, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, urethritis, cystitis, pyelitis, nephrosis, decreased vision, liver and biliary tract disease. Helps to resolve problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Elecampane

Elecampane preparations improve sputum expectoration, reduce intestinal secretory activity, normalize metabolism, stimulate the formation of bile, increase diuresis, and have antimicrobial and antihelminthic properties. Inside, elecampane preparations are used for chronic and acute bronchitis, enterocolitis, functional diarrhea, colitis, chronic and acute pharyngitis, gingivitis, tracheitis, difficult-to-heal wounds, and periodontal disease.

St. John's wort

This is a dangerous plant. Allergies, conflict with a number of medications, adverse reactions and other "troubles" threaten those who have not figured out the specifics of the application herbal preparations. But with a reasonable approach to therapy, St. John's wort can improve the condition with cholecystitis, hepatitis, gastritis, correct biliary tract dysfunction and many other, even quite rare, pathologies.

Blooming Sally

In Ivan tea medicinal properties have leaves, shoots, and roots. In folk medicine, it is used to treat ulcers, colitis, prostatitis, insomnia, and headaches. To this list, with the external use of a medicinal plant, conjunctivitis, bedsores, psoriasis are added. The successes of willow-herb in the treatment of these and other diseases gave scientists the desire to more seriously engage in the scientific study of the healing potential of this herb.

Calendula

Tinctures, decoctions and teas that produce a therapeutic effect are prepared from inflorescences, petals and leafy tops of calendula. In folk medicine, they are used for inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, hypertension, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, neuroses and a number of other diseases. But medicines are also made from calendula, which are prescribed for anemia, stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, and tumors. However, caution is needed in the use of medicinal calendula.

Clover

There are hundreds of clover species, and most of them are used in medicine due to the formation of vitamins E and C in the leaves, the “antimicrobial” trifolirizine in the roots of the plant, and a whole “bouquet” of useful substances in clover inflorescences. An overdose and an ill-conceived combination of clover with medicines may cause adverse reactions, but rational approach clover can significantly facilitate the treatment process and make it more effective.

Hemp

Grows in Western Siberia, the Volga region, Altai in the European part of Russia. Nowadays, this plant is cultivated in almost all countries. Officially, the plant is allowed to grow and use only in Colombia. In other states, cultivation, consumption, distribution or possession is criminalized.

Nettle

Despite the fact that nettle leaves are more often used in folk medicine, rhizomes, seeds, and inflorescences have a healing effect. Substances from nettle roots, for example, can be found in pharmaceutical anticancer drugs, burn remedies, and choleretic drugs. However, the full list of therapeutic possibilities of nettle is much wider.

Red brush (rhodiola)

Not everyone has heard about Rhodiola (red brush) in our area - the plant settles in a cold climate and / or in mountainous areas. However, it is not without reason that it is called "Siberian ginseng". Scientific medicine experimentally proves the ability of Rhodiola to prevent the oxidation of red blood cells, suppress lymphosarcoma metastases, have a neuroprotective effect, normalize metabolic processes, and more. In folk medicine, the healing potential of this herb is used even more widely.

Burnet

There are about 27 types of burnet, but not all of them are the most famous and useful. Burnet preparations help with various types of bleeding, such as uterine bleeding, hemoptysis, gastric, heavy menstruation, hemorrhoidal, etc. Externally, burnet is used as a means of promoting the healing of wounds, abrasions and cuts.

Lavender

Lavender is a semi-shrub, up to 60 cm high. It is distributed in India, Arabia, southern Europe, northern and eastern Africa, and even the Canary Islands. There are about 30 varieties of this shrub. Lavender is widely used in cooking, household chemicals, production of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, toilet soap, deodorants, air fresheners, perfumes and cosmetics.

burdock

The beekeeper will say about burdock that it is a wonderful honey plant. Culinary - that burdock can be added to salads, broths and make drinks from it. But the most “useful” list of possible uses for burdock will be from a representative of traditional medicine. Dozens of diseases will appear in it, in which burdock improves the condition of patients. And recently, scientists have also become interested in the therapeutic potential of burdock.

Poppy

Harvesting poppy for medicine today is produced on an industrial scale. Scientists are working on highlighting the features of the therapeutic effect various kinds plants and the search for new ways to use it. Poppy alkaloids, morphine, codeine, papaverine are part of antispasmodics, analgesics, sedatives. But poppy is even more widely represented in folk medicine.

Coltsfoot

When harvesting plant materials, coltsfoot leaves, due to inexperience, can be confused with burdock leaves, and flowers with dandelion flowers. And although the therapeutic effect of the use of all these plants may overlap, the therapeutic effect produced by the coltsfoot is specific and unique. Its main goal is diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, which is reflected even in the Latin name of the herb.

Melissa

Not every medicinal plant it is possible to grow at home on the windowsill or on the balcony, but lemon balm can be. However, is this herb worth such labor? If you think that it can only be taken as a mild sedative, then probably not. But in folk medicine, lemon balm is also effectively used as a laxative, antispasmodic, antiemetic, stimulant of biliary tract motility and secretory function of the stomach, a cure for hypertension, atherosclerosis, toxicosis and many other diseases.

Mint

Mint is grown in industrial scale, which is not surprising, given the rich historical experience of its use, the number of diseases in which it helps and the number of useful substances in the composition. Moreover, new and unexpected possibilities for the use of mint in medicine, dietetics and cosmetology are only now being discovered by scientists in the course of scientific research.

Tansy

The name itself comes from the Czech or Polish word "pizmo", which means "musk", that is, the smell of organic origin. In fact, all plants of this species have a very strong saturated aroma, and the smell is emitted by every cell of this plant.

Plantain

For many children, acquaintance with herbal medicine begins with plantain. A plantain leaf applied to a wound stopped the blood, relieved inflammation and relieved pain. Unfortunately, knowledge about plantain is often limited to this "childish" experience. Meanwhile, the biologically active substances contained in its leaves cope with gastrointestinal problems, skin pathologies, and respiratory diseases. And this is not the whole list of possibilities of this plant.

Sunflower

Kind of herbaceous annual plants. The stem grows up to 3 m high, straight, covered with hard hairs. Leaves are oval-heart-shaped, dark green up to 40 cm long, covered with hard, short, pubescent hairs. Flowers of large diameters are 30-50 cm, during the day young sunflowers turn to the sun .

Sagebrush

"God's tree" - wormwood - can both cure and poison (some types of wormwood are deadly for herbivores). But people have been interested in the possibilities of this plant for so long that they have learned to take the best from wormwood and treat it with the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, skin diseases, etc. And in last years scientific interest in the active substances in the composition of this herb is only increasing, which leads to opening new, sometimes unexpected, plant properties.