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Suillellus luridus ■ Zámoly, Hungary ■ A large, stout mushroom found in European woodlands with calcareous soils.
Dianthus deltoides ■ Jósvafő, Hungary ■ What this tiny flower lacks in size it makes up for in intense retina-blasting colour. It is native to Europe and western Asia. It is also found in North America as an introduced species.
Parasola conopilus ■ Aggtelek, Hungary ■ This mushroom grows on the forest floor of deciduous woodlands where there is a lot of decaying twigs and leaves.
Iris spuria ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ This perennial is native to Europe, north Africa and western Asia but varieties are widely cultivated for gardens. Like many irises it is a perennial that grows from a rhizome.
Ophrys scolopax ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ This orchid is found throughout the north Mediterranean basin, and is a protected species in Hungary. It flowers in May and June. The lip of the flower resembles an insect. When bugs try and mate with it, they pollinate the flower.
Echium vulgare ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ Purple flowers with long reddish stamens characterize this common European roadside weed.
Traunsteinera globosa ■ Szilvásvárad, Hungary ■ This orchid prefers higher elevations, which is why it is rare in Hungary. The country is mostly flat, lowland with very little higher elevation habitat.
Janka's Lizard Orchid
Himantoglossum jankae ■ Érd, Hungary ■ This spectacular orchid used to be conspecific with the Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum) but was recognized as a separate species about a decade ago. Found only in the Balkans and part of Asia Minor. Named after 19th c. Hungarian botanist Viktor Janka.
Ophrys apifera ■ Budapest, Hungary ■ This tiny orchid uses deception to reproduce. The flower superficially resembles a bug and releases the scent of a female bee. When a male bee tries to mate with it, it pollinates the plant.
Iris pumilla ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ The sudden emergence of thousands of Pygmy Irises gives an early spring splash of colour to the steppes of southeastern Europe.
Anacamptis morio ■ Újsolt, Hungary ■ This native of Western Eurasia has a strange name. Ostensibly named for the dark green stripes under the flower petals, in most cases all you can see is intense purple. It likes limestone-rich soil and requires mycorrhizal fungi to survive. This is fungi that live in the root system and help the plant extract nutrients from the soil.
Panaeolina foeniseci ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ A common and widespread mushroom that often shows up on mown lawns and fields. It is not edible, apparently having enough alkaloids to make you sick if eaten.
Chlorophylum brunneum ■ Badacsonytomaj, Hungary ■ This large mushroom is supposed to be edible but it looks so much like the poisonous Amanita genus that I wasn’t going to risk it.
Pulicaria dysenterica ■ Kiskunlacháza, Hungary ■ A common aster native to Europe and western Asia but widely naturalized in other parts of the world. At one time it was used as a treatment for dysentry, hence the specific epithet.
Coprinellus micaceus ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ A relatively common mushroom with cosmopolitan distribution. Not so great for eating but popular for lab studies because it is so easy to grow. It gets its common name from the glittery specks along the edge of the cap which resemble flecks of mica.
Colchicum autumnale ■ Zámoly, Hungary ■ One of the most beautiful fall wildflowers in Central Europe. Beautiful and deadly poisonous. It is not a true crocus even though the flowers bear a resemblance to the crocuses.
Campanula patula ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ A herbaceous biennial native to Europe but naturalized in other parts of the world. It often grows in areas of sandy or poor soils.
Myosotis palustris ■ Josvafő, Hungary ■ A perennial found in wet habitats such as streams and ponds, it is native to Eurasia but naturalized in other parts of the world.
Iris variegata ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ Also known as the Dalmatian Iris, this short, colourful iris is native to several countries in southeast Europe and the Balkans.
Scilla bifolia ■ Rácalmás, Hungary ■ One of the earliest flowering wildflowers in the Hungarian woodlands. With a mild winter they appear as early as February.
Malva moschata ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ This weed is also cultivated as garden plant and I can see why. It produces lots of spectacular large pink flowers. The flowers have a bit of a musky odour, hence the common name. It likes well-drained fertile soil. Native to Europe, it is naturalized in many other parts of the world.
Rolling Hen and Chicks
Sempervivum globiferum ssp. hirtum ■ Nagykovácsi, Hungary ■ This succulent is native to mountainous regions of SE Europe but it is also popular in gardens and as a house plant. The buds can sometimes detach and roll away from the mother plant to grow separately. This is where the strange common name comes from.
Leopoldia comosa ■ Josvafő, Hungary ■ Native to the Mediterranean region, the bulbs of this plant are considered a delicacy in southern Italy and Greece. They are boiled, pickled and then kept in olive oil.
Geranium robertianum ■ Budakeszi, Hungary ■ Named for 11th century French monk Robert of Molesme, this European geranium has been used in folk medicine as a treatment for toothaches, nosebleeds, mosquito bites, diarrhea, and wound healing.
Geranium sanguineum ■ Budakeszi, Hungary ■ There are many cultivars of this rhizomatous perennial, but it is also quite common in the wild.
Veratrum album ■ Ocsa, Hungary ■ This tall herbaceous perennial is native to Europe and western Asia and is highly toxic, containing over 50 neurotoxic alkaloids. It is speculated that Alexander the Great’s early demise was caused by poisoning from this plant as, just prior to his death, he had symptoms consistent with Veratrum album poisoning.
Gymnadenia conopsea ■ Selcepuszta, Hungary ■ This tall orchid is relatively common in northern and central Europe. It flowers in June and is pollinated almost exclusively by moths.
Neotinea ustulata ■ Budakeszi, Hungary ■ This orchid flowers for only a few weeks in late May and early June in warm spots with relatively dry, well-drained soil. The dark purple unopened flower buds look, from a distance, as if the top of the stalk has been burnt, hence the common name.
Phyteuma orbiculare ■ Kesthely, Hungary ■ This is probably the commonest and most widespread of Europe’s rampion species. It can be found in sunny spots or areas with dappled sunlight such as meadows, forest edges, roadside verges and ditches.
Limodrorum abortivum ■ Kesthely, Hungary ■ This is a very tall orchid native to the Mediterranean Basin and parts of western Asia. It prefers dry, open pine woodland. It produces no leaves, having only a stalk and flowers. Like many orchids, it cannot produce enough nutrients through photosynthesis, so it relies on fungi in the root system for sustenance.
Inula helenium ■ Sümeg, Hungary ■ This member of the daisy family has been used since ancient Roman times as a condiment and as a treatment for digestive disorders. As the genus name suggests, the plant is rich in inulin, a fructose polymer widely used in supplements, pharmaceuticals and processed food. The species name is from Helen of Troy because legend has it that elecampane grew where her tears fell.
St. Stephen's Carnation
Dianthus plumarius regis-stephani ■ Sümeg, Hungary ■ This white subspecies of Garden Pink is native to the Carpathian Basin, where art grows on dry, sandy or rocky soil.
Common Ball Flower
Globularia punctata ■ Sümeg, Hungary ■ This perennial is a member of the plantain family and can be found on dry, calcareous soils or rocky slopes.
Late Spider Orchid
Ophrys fuciflora ■ Maróc, Hungary ■ This orchid is widespread throughout Europe and the Middle East but is in serious decline because of habitat loss.
Ophrys insectifera ■ Sümeg, Hungary ■ This orchid's small, dark flowers produce a scent similar to female fly pheromones. When male flies try to mate with the flower, they pollinate the plant.
Neotinea tridentata ■ Budakeszi, Hungary ■ This beautiful orchid is native to the Mediterranean regions. Like many orchids, it is not so good at photosynthesis, so it relies on fungi in its root system for nourishment.
Anacamptis palustris ■ Dabas, Hungary ■ Not to be confused with Early Marsh Orchid, which is a different species. This tall orchid has a very wide distribution in Europe and western Asia, ranging as far north as Sweden. It prefers damp habitats.
Early Marsh Orchid
Dactylorhiza incarnata ■ Dabas, Hungary ■ Like the name suggests, this perennial likes wet meadows. It is found throughout Europe and western Asia although it is in decline in some countries because of habitat loss. The Hungarian common name is Flesh-coloured Petal Orchid, which is closer to the latin name than the English common name (incarnata means flesh-coloured). I think this name comes from the color of the unopened buds, as the fully developed flowers are purple.
Anacamptis coriophora ■ Dabas, Hungary ■ This orchid likes sunny meadows and is found throughout southern Europe. It is in serious decline because of habitat loss and like other orchids, it is a highly protected species in Hungary.
Anacamptis pyramidalis ■ Dabas, Hungary ■ With its dense cluster of neon pink flowers, this is one of the more spectacular orchids in the Hungarian countryside. It prefers sunny meadows and drier soils and is found from southwest Europe to Iran.
Lamium galeobdolon ■ Velem, Hungary ■ This member of the deadnettle (or mint) family is native to Europe and Western Asia. The tiny flowers are easy to overlook, but they are quite beautiful when viewed from up close.
Silene conica ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ A small annual plant that grows in sandy, well drained soils. It is a bit unique in that it does not produce separate staminate and pistillate flowers, but hermaphroditic flowers that can be either male or female. Also, according to Wikipedia, it has the largest mitochondrial genome ever identified in the plant world.
Alkanna tinctoria ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ This member of the borage family is native to the Mediterranean region. When ground up, the roots produce a red powder that can be used as cloth dye (hence the common name), wood stain or even food colouring.
Verbascum phoeniceum ■ Apaj, Hungary ■ This is the earliest mullein species to bloom in the spring.
Linum austriacum ■ Apaj, Hungary ■ This close relative of the flax you buy in the health food store gives a welcome splash of early spring color to the grasslands.
Veronica gentianoides ■ Budapest, Hungary ■ This perennial is native to the Caucasus region of eastern Europe. It is a common garden plant with a wide variety of cultivars, but it also grows in the wild, like this specimen.
Ajuga reptans ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ This perennial herb, a member of the mint family, is native to Europe. Its deep blue flowery spikes make it a popular with gardeners and bugs. At least 20 species of butterfly and several species of flies feed on its nectar.
Early Spider Orchid
Ophrys sphegodes ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ Like its congeners, this orchid’s reproduction is based on deception. The flowers superficially resemble an insect. When a bug tries to mate with the flower, it pollinates the plant.
Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ This perennial herb is widespread in Europe in warm habitats with sandy or calciferous soils. It produces abundant flowers which start out reddish and then turn a deep blue as the flower matures.
Morchella esculenta ■ Budapest, Hungary ■ Unlike many other fungi that fruit in the fall, this species of morel fruits in late April and early May. It is edible and has a unique flavour that is prized by chefs.
Lamium purpureum ■ Tass, Hungary ■ One of the most abundant spring wildflowers in Hungary. In April it is literally everywhere.
Yellow Pheasant's Eye
Adonis vernalis ■ Budapest, Hungary ■ A member of the buttercup family found in dry meadows in scattered locations across Eurasia. Like other members of the Adonis genus, it is poisonous, containing powerful cardiac stimulants that can induce cardiac arrest.
Marasmius oreades ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ Most people associate Scotch Bonnet with the hot pepper, so this mushroom has another name. It is also known as the Fairy Ring Mushroom.
Euonymus phellomanus ■ Rétszílás, Hungary ■ On a dull fall day, it is always a pleasure to encounter this shrub with its retina-blasting, candy pink seed pods. Although native to China, a few grow in the wild in Hungary.
Laetiporus sulphureus ■ Rácalmás, Hungary ■ This widespread bracket fungus is sometimes called “Chicken of the Woods” because when young and cooked, it apparently tastes like chicken. This specimen is much too old for eating.
Erigeron annuus ■ Rácalmás, Hungary ■ Originally native to Eastern North America, this annual member of the aster family is very common and widespread in Europe.
Prunus spinosa ■ Vereb, Hungary ■ The Blackthorn, also known as sloe, is a spiny bush in the rose family. The small, plum-like berries are used to make sloe gin.
Aster tripolium ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ Even though Hungary is a long way from the sea, the interfluvial plain between the Danube and Tisza Rivers has extensive areas of sandy, saline soils favoured by plants such as sea aster and sea lavender.
Pholiota populnea ■ Rácalmás, Hungary ■ This large, shaggy mushroom is usually found growing out of the ends of poplar logs. It is found throughout the temperate northern hemisphere. It is not poisonous but not supposed to be very good eating.
Datura stramonium ■ Apaj, Hungary ■ This annual weed is sometimes ingested by recreational drug users because it contains powerful, hallucinogenic tropane alkaloids. A bit dangerous, however, as the strength of the compounds vary widely from plant to plant, making it easy to accidentally poison yourself.
Nelumbo nucifera ■ Rétszílás, Hungary ■ Although not native to Europe, this aquatic plant is so spectacular I couldn’t resist a photo when I encountered a sizeable patch growing out in the wild. Normally found from India to SE Asia, all parts of the plant are edible and used in various Asian recipes.
Amanita vittadini ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ The Amanita genus contains some of the world’s deadliest mushrooms. It has been estimated that the genus is responsible for 90% of worldwide fatalities from eating poisonous mushrooms. I’m not sure of the status of this particular uncommon species. Some websites claim it is edible, while others say it is poisonous, but it is best to avoid eating all Amanitae.
Aristolochia clematitis ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ Heart-shaped leaves and tubular yellow flowers characterize the deadly poisonous European Birthwort, putative cause of the disease known as Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. It is the only food plant for the Southern Festoon butterfly.
Cannabis ruderalis ■ Dabas, Hungary ■ Hemp is a very common weed in Hungary. There is some debate as to whether C. ruderalis is a species in its own right, or a subspecies of the more familiar C. sativa. It has much less THC content than C. sativa or C. indica, and its small stature means it is not the best for rope fibers.
Ranunculus illyricus ■ Sárszentágota, Hungary ■ This tall, perennial buttercup is found in meadows and woodlands from Central Europe to the Caucasus. It is a protected species in Hungary.
Yellow Flag Iris
Iris pseudacorus ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ Native to Europe, this wetland species is considered a noxious invasive species in many parts of the world. Just because you are pretty, it doesn’t always mean you get love. :)
Centaurea cyanus ■ Dunatetétlen, Hungary ■ The cornflower is a species of knapweed native to temperate Europe, but has become widely naturalized in other parts of the world. It is also popular as a garden plant. The flowers are edible and sometimes used in salads and teas.
Ginkgo biloba ■ Budaörs, Hungary ■ Easily recognized by its fan-shaped leaves, the ginkgo is an ancient species, with the fossil record going back 270 million years. It has a genome more than three times larger than the human genome and is so unique in the plant kingdom that it is placed in its own Class. In the wild it is restricted to a very small range in southwestern China. Despite being cultivated in many parts of the world, it has never become naturalized anywhere.
Orchis militaris ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ This lovely orchid gets its name from the shape of the flowers which resemble a person wearing a helmet. I guess they could have called it motorcyclist orchid except that motorcycles didn’t exist when it was named way back in the 19th century.
Brassica napus ■ Kiskunlacháza, Hungary ■ Early May in Hungary means vast fields of retina-blasting yellow as rapeseed is in full bloom. Aside from the farmer’s field, it is also a common roadside weed in Hungary. It is the third largest source of vegetable oil in the world. The variety grown in North America is known as canola.
Ranunculus trichophyllus ■ Apaj, Hungary ■ An aquatic member of the buttercup family, this plant is able to photosynthesize underwater. They generally prefer flowing water, so I was surprised to find this specimen growing in a flooded farm field.
Lepidium draba ■ Apaj, Hungary ■ A rhizomatous perennial that belongs to the same family as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, Hoary Cress is native to SE Europe and Western Asia. It has become naturalized in places like North America and Australia where it is considered an invasive pest.
Common Grape Hyacinth
Muscari neglectum ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary ■ Grape Hyacinth is very common in the wild in Hungary, but is also a popular garden plant.
Bellis perennis ■ Budaörs, Hungary ■ The commonest European daisy, its Latin name means “everlasting beauty”. The plant has astringent properties and for this reason the ancient Romans would soak bandages in daisy juice to bind the wounds of legionnaires wounded in battle.
Vinca minor ■ Budaörs, Hungary ■ Native to central and southern Europe, this periwinkle is naturalized in many other parts of the world. It is also cultivated for gardens because the evergreen, waxy leaves provide nice ground cover. It doesn’t produce a lot of seeds but reproduces primarily by runners along the ground.
Potentilla tabernaemontani ■ Diosd, Hungary ■ Five petals with an indented tip identify the cinquefoils. This species is partial to dry grasslands and rocky slopes and flowers early during the first warm days of spring.
Viola hirta ■ Diosd, Hungary ■ This early flowering violet is found throughout Europe in sunny places with well-drained, chalky soil. As it has no scent whatsoever, it is sometimes pejoratively referred to as dog violet.
Helianthus tuberosus ■ Szabadszállás, Hungary ■ This showy perennial is neither from Jerusalem, nor an artichoke, but a sunflower native to North America. The edible tubers of the plant are rich in potassium, iron, several vitamins and fructose polymers which gives them a slightly sweet taste. They have been used for food as far back as the 16th century, and hit their peak of popularity in 19th century France. Today the tubers are used mostly for animal feed and as a commercial source of inulin
Humulus lupulus ■ Soponya, Hungary ■ Cultivated on an industrial scale for beer making, hops is common in the wild in Hungary. The plant probably originated in Germany and France, and by the early 17th century had spread to America. Today, the U.S.A. and Germany are the biggest hops producers by a wide margin.
Echinops sphaerocephalus ■ Sárkeresztúr, Hungary ■ It’s not hard to see where the globe thistle gets its common (and scientific) name from. A perennial that likes sunny spots, it is native to Eurasia but has been naturalized on other continents such as North America.
Sanguisorba officinalis ■ Budapest, Hungary ■ Burnets are flowering perennials in the rose family and are found in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. They have some medicinal properties including the ability to staunch blood flow. The genus name refers to the plant’s hemostatic properties.
Volvopluteus gloiocephalus ■ Csákvar, Hungary ■ A large saprotrophic mushroom that is found on all continents except Antarctica. It is edible but not very tasty. I’m not sure on this ID as there are many related species that look similar.
Dipsacus laciniatius ■ Csákvar, Hungary ■ This perennial is native to Europe and Asia but has become naturalized in parts of North American where it is considered an invasive weed. White flowers and deeply lobed leaves distinguish this species from the purple-flowered Common Teasle. Teasles are a staple of dried floral arrangements.
Consolida regalis ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ This annual member of the buttercup family is found across Europe and parts of western Asia where it prefers well-drained, sandy soils. In some regions it is in serious decline because of the use of herbicides and intensive farming.
Alcea rosea ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ Despite the latin name, this is not a rose but a member of the mallow family (rosea refers to the color of the flowers). It is an ornamental plant native to China that was introduced to Europe hundreds of years ago. A few, like this one, escape the confines of gardens to grow in the wild.
Salvia austriaca ■ Fot, Hungary ■ Salvia is the largest genus in the mint family and is characterized by a special pollination mechanism. When a bug pushes its face into the flower in the search for nectar, a lever mechanism brings the two stamens down on the insect’s back to deposit pollen. Many members of the genus have hairy stems and leaves to reduce water loss.
Galium verum ■ Fot, Hungary ■ One of the more colourful members of the Galium genus, this low perennial is native to Europe and Asia, but has become naturalized in North America, New Zealand and Tasmania. Bedstraws get their common name from the fact that, in previous centuries, they were used to stuff mattresses because they contain aromatic compounds that act as natural flea repellants. This species was also used to curdle milk in the making of cheese.
Senecio vulgaris ■ Rétimajor, Hungary ■ This hardy member of the daisy family likes well-drained soil in sunny spots. It can grow well in poor soils so it is reasonably common on disturbed ground, construction sites and roadsides. It is annual and hermaphroditic, with a single plant having both make and female organs.
Rosa canina ■ Kunpeszer, Hungary ■ In centuries past, parts of this climbing shrub were used to treat dog bites, hence the name. In the wild, the flowers vary from bright pink to white, and every shade in between.
Papaver somniferum ■ Tiszaalpár, Hungary ■ The source of opium, heroin, morphine and codeine, this plant also produces the poppy seeds used in cooking and baking. It is much larger and taller than the red poppy used for Remembrance Day in Britain and North America.
Iris sibirica ■ Dabas, Hungary ■ This perennial grows from rhizomes and, like most irises, prefers very damp soil. It is native to temperate Europe and Asia but has been naturalized in eastern North America. It is also cultivated as an ornamental plant.
Gymnadenia conopsea ■ Dabas, Hungary ■ One of the commoner European orchids, the color can vary from very pale to dark purple. The nectar is very deep in the flower so only pollinators with very long tongues, such as hawk-moths, can get to it.
Trifolium incarnatum ■ Kiskunlacháza, Hungary ■ Few things look as nice as a dense field of crimson clover in full bloom (despite that, it was not the inspiration for the Tommy James song). With a nutritional profile superior to that of alfalfa, this European native makes great cattle fodder and is also grown commercially for human consumption.
Aesculus hippocastanum ■ Budaörs, Hungary ■ This tree is not a true chestnut but belongs to the soapberry family. It has become so common and widespread in temperate parts of the world that most people don’t know it is native to a very small area of the western Balkans in the extreme southeast corner of Europe.
Crataegus monogyna ■ Apaj, Hungary ■ Deeply cut leaf lobes distinguish this hawthorn from the Midland Hawthorn. Both are very common in Hungary. This species is native to Europe but is now naturalized in many parts of the world.
Crataegus laevigata ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ A common bush in the Hungarian countryside, this Hawthorn is distinguished from the Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) by leave lobes that are not as deeply cut.
Sempervivum marmoreum ■ Budaörs, Hungary ■ This succulent is native to southeastern Europe and can be found on rocky slopes with southern exposure.
Orlaya grandiflora ■ Rétimajor, Hungary ■ This hardy annual, a member of the parsley family, is easily identified by its unique flower structure. It is relatively common in the wild, but is also cultivated for garden use.
Ornithogalum umbellatum ■ Soponya, Hungary ■ This perennial member of the lily family is native to southern Europe and North Africa. The bulbs are considered toxic because they contain cardiac-stimulating glycosides. Despite that, they are still used in some homeopathic remedies.
Tilia x europaea. ■ Apaj, Hungary ■ Members of the Tilia genus are called lime trees in England (not to be confused with the tree that produces the citrus fruit) but lindens in continental Europe (eg: Berlin’s famous boulevard Unter den Linden - Under the Lindens). They can be easily recognized by the fruit hanging from long, pale, showy bracts. As indicated by the latin name, the Common Linden is a hybrid between Broad-leaved and Small-leaved Lindens.
Scarlet Cup Fungus
Sarcoscypha sp. ■ Tardos, Hungary ■ This colourful fungus grows on decayed wood on the forest floor in Europe, Asia and North America, and usually appears in the cooler months of winter or very early spring. I’m not sure whether this specimen is S. coccinea or S. austriaca.
Dipsacus fullonum ■ Rácalmás, Hungary ■ Native to Eurasia, this plant is widely naturalized in other parts of the world, and cultivated in a form known as Fuller’s Teasle. In the past, the dried heads were used to clean, align and raise the nap of fabrics such as wool, but these days they are used mosty in floral arrangements.
Summer Pheasant's Eye
Adonis aestivalis ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ A beautiful, but deadly plant, Pheasant’s Eye contains cardenolides, a type of steroid that can cause cardiac arrest.
Glechoma hederacea ■ Rétimajor, Hungary ■ Native to Europe, Ground-ivy has become naturalized in many other parts of the world.
Ligustrum vulgare ■ Budapest, Hungary ■ The jet-black berries of the wild privet are supposed to be poisonous to humans, but the thrushes seem to really like them.
Medicago sativa ■ Szabadszállás, Hungary ■ Known as lucerne outside of North America, this perennial and highly nutritious member of the pea family is primarily used for livestock fodder.
Securigera varia ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ The vetches are tough, hardy legumes. Their extensive, complex roots systems are great for preventing soil erosion, but this also makes it hard to eradicate when it becomes invasive, crowding out other species.
Agrostemma githago ■ Alsónemédi, Hungary ■ Nice looking flower, but the plant is deadly poisonous if ingested. It is partial to sandy soils.
Leucanthemum vulgare ■ Alsónemédi, Hungary ■ Native to Europe and Asia this comon wildflower has become naturalized in other parts of the world, where some consider it a noxious invasive weed.
Dictamnus albus ■ Zánka, Hungary ■ Sometimes called the “burning bush”, this plant emits a volatile oil which, on very hot, windless days forms a vapourous and flammable cloud around the plant. It is found in warm open woodland habitats in southern Europe, North Africa and Asia.
Robinia pseudoacacia ■ Rétimajor, Hungary ■ Native to Eastern North America, this is one of the commoner trees in the Hungarian countryside. Although the Hungarians call it White Acacia, it is not a true acacia, as the specific epithet indicates.
Fraxinus excelsior ■ Halásztelek, Hungary ■ Pinnate leaves and clusters of “keys” make the ash tree easy to spot. The keys are one of the favorite foods of wintering Bullfinches.
Tamarix gallica ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ Also known as salt cedar, this shrub’s hardiness and tolerance for saline soils make it an ideal windbreak along country roads.
Silene latifolia ■ Dunakeszi, Hungary.
Anchusa officinalis ■ Dunakeszi, Hungary ■ Although native to the Mediterranean region, Bugloss is spreading in Western North America where it is considered an invasive noxious weed. It has sedative, analgesic and laxative properties, and the roots produce a red dye.
Tragopogon pratensis ■ Budapest, Hungary.
Carduus nutans ■ Budapest, Hungary.
Hippophae rhamnoides ■ Dunakeszi, Hungary ■ A spiny, deciduous shrub that is highly tolerant of sandy and saline soils, the Sea Buckthorn can be found from Britain to Western China. It is an important cultivar as the berries are used in a wide range of beverages, herbal products, dietary supplements, edible oils and skin creams.
Salvia pratensis ■ Dunakeszi, Hungary.
Hedera helix ■ Dunakeszi, Hungary.
Malva sylvestris ■ Naszály, Hungary.
Chicorium intybus ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ A widespread common weed, chicory is commercially important as the primary source of inulin - a fructose polymer widely used in processed foods, supplements and pharmaceuticals.
Papaver rhoeas ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ An abundant wildflower in Europe, it is associated with Remembrance Day in Canada and Britain. It is not the same species as the opium poppy.
Convolvulus arvensis ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ A pretty face that causes a lot of trouble, bindweed forms dense, climbing mats that choke out other plants. In temperate zones, it a major pest plant for farmers.
Centauria jacea ■ Bugyi, Hungary.
Verbascum phlomoides ■ Solt Járás-puszta, Hungary.
Limonium gmelinii hungaricum ■ Solt Járás-puszta, Hungary ■ A member of the sea lavender family, it is found only in areas of saline soil. Sea lavenders are not related to lavendar, but belongs to the leadwort family.
Solidago canadensis ■ Budapest, Hungary ■ A naturalized common weed in many parts of Europe. Goldenrod leaves contain about 7% latex rubber, but the molecular weight is too low to render a useable end product.
Senecio aquaticus ■ Solt Járás-puszta, Hungary.
Queen Anne's Lace
Daucus carota ■ Solt Járás-puszta, Hungary ■ Sometimes called the wild carrot, it is actually the same species as the carrot you buy in the grocery store.
Asclepias syriaca ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ Despite what the specific epithet suggests, this weed is native to eastern North America - an example of how the priority principle in taxonomy can sometimes result in goofy latin names. It has become naturalized in many parts of Europe.
Verbascum thapsus ■ Újsolt, Hungary.
Cirsium arvense ■ Solt Járás-puszta, Hungary.
Elaeagnus angustifolia ■ Solt Járás-puszta, Hungary ■ Hungarian conservationists view this shrub-like tree as an invasive pest and would like to eradicate it, but I can’t see it happening. It is just too common in the countryside. The birds seem to like it. Its dense, spiny branches provide nesting habitat for many open country birds, and the olive-like fruit provides sustenance to passerines during fall migration.
Lythrum salicaria ■ Biatorbagy, Hungary ■ In its native Europe, I have never seen this plant form the dense, choking stands that make it a major invasive pest plant in North American lakes and waterways.
Galeopsis speciosa ■ Rácalmás, Hungary.
Solanum dulcamara ■ Rácalmás, Hungary ■ The high levels of the alkaloid solanine in this nightshade makes it poisonous, but much less deadly than Belladonna. It is closely related to the potato, tomato and eggplant.
Tanacetum vulgare ■ Tass, Hungary.
Angelica sylvestris ■ Rácalmás, Hungary.
Verbascum nigrum ■ Tass, Hungary.
Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus altissima ■ Rácalmás, Hungary ■ Native to China, this sumac has been widely naturalized in other parts of the world. It has a long history of use for medicinal properties, as a host plant for silkworms and as an ornamental tree.
Trifolium pratense ■ Budapest, Hungary.
Eupatorium cannabinum ■ Budapest, Hungary.
Silene vulgaris ■ Budapest, Hungary.
Achillea millefolium ■ Bugyi, Hungary.
Euphorbia cyparissius ■ Bugyi, Hungary.
Crepis biennis ■ Bugyi, Hungary.
European Michaelmas Daisy
Aster amellus ■ Apaj, Hungary.
Symphytum officinale ■ Budapest, Hungary.
Lamium maculatum ■ Rácalmás, Hungary.
Verbascum densiflorum ■ Bugyi, Hungary.
Hungarian Meadow Saffron
Colchicum hungaricum ■ Nagyharsany, Hungary ■ Members of the Colchicum genus flower in winter. An adaptation to this unusual life cycle is that the reproductive part of the flower (ie: the ovaries) remain underground.
Fragaria vesca ■ Rácalmás, Hungary ■ Closely related to the garden strawberry hybrid you buy in the supermarket, this species was the first type of strawberry to be commercially cultivated in the 17th century.
Tussilago farfara ■ Cserépfalu, Hungary ■ Coltsfoot has been used for hundreds of years as a cough and sore throat reliever, and the dried, burnt leaves are useful as a salt substitute.
Common Field Speedwell
Veronica persica ■ Bugyi, Hungary.
Erodium cicutarium ■ Bugyi, Hungary ■ A member of the geranium family, it is so named because the seed pods look like the head of a stork.
Scilla bifolia ■ Cserépfalu, Hungary.
Ranunculus ficaria ■ Rácalmás, Hungary.
Caltha palustris ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary.
Euphorbia palustris ■ Kunpeszér, Hungary.
Chelidonium majus ■ Rácalmás, Hungary ■ A common perennial woodland herb belonging to the poppy family.
Sambucus nigra ■ Tiszaföldvár, Hungary ■ Native to Europe but widely naturalized in other parts of the world, the unripe berries and green parts of this shrub contain cyanide. The flowers and ripe berries are used in a wide variety of drinks and condiments.
Lunaria rediviva ■ Királyrét, Hungary.
Vicia cracca ■ Hortobágy halastó, Hungary ■ So named because it is widely used as cattle fodder, this vetch, like most legumes, helps enrich the soil via its nitrogen fixing ability.
Yellow Sweet Clover
Melilotus officinalis ■ Hortobágy Halastó, Hungary ■ This common roadside weed is a natural source of warfarin, a powerful anticoagulant widely used for treating strokes.
St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum ■ Bácsalmás, Hungary ■ Native to Europe, but widely naturalized in other parts of the world, St. John’s Wort is used as an herbal treatment for depression and a variety of other ailments.
Anthyllis vulneraria ■ Budaörs, Hungary.
Campanula persicifolia ■ Budaörs, Hungary.
Artemesia vulgaris ■ Hortobágy-halastó, Hungary ■ Other members of this famous genus include Sweet Wormwood from which the malaria treatment artemisin is extracted, Bitter Wormwood which provides flavoring for the French spirit absinthe, and the sagebrush of the American west, without which no cowboy movie would be complete.
Eryngium campestre ■ Kunszentmiklos, Hungary ■ Tough, spiny and prickly leaves characterize this common European prerennial weed.
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