Welcome to an interactive map which can be used to spot the flora of Kersal Moor, following in the botanising footsteps of the Artisan Naturalists in the Victorian age.
For full details see previous article – click here…
This Trail has been recorded and created by people from the local community: Richard Marshall (Salford City Council Ranger), Alice Searle, Ann Salt, Margaret McFarlane, Robert Wilson, Sharon Powell, Clive Searle, Maggie Smith, Louise Garman and Stewart Anthony.
If you would like to add to the trail email photos, descriptions and locations to burynewrd@gmail.com
Have fun botanising!!!
Location 1
Where is it?
At the entrance to Moor, just behind and under the Kersal Moor signpost…
What is it?
Wood Avens or Herb bennet…
When can I see it?
It flowers between May and August but you can spot the growing leaves all year round.
What does it do?
It produces a small, droopy, yellow flower which is a good food source for insects, caterpillars and butterflies. Herbalists use it to treat everything from dog bites to diarrhoea, while the Romans used it as a substitute for quinine which is a treatment for malaria.
Location 2
Where is it?
On the right after a good few metres down the left turn from the main entrance path…
What is it?
Broom or Cytisus scoparius
When can I see it?
It is semi-evergreen but its bright yellow flowers are best seen in summer
What does it do?
This shrub loves the dry sandy soil of the Moor. Ashes of broom were used to treat dropsy, while its strong smell was said to be able to tame wild horses and dogs. It is the county flower of Glasgow and was obviously used for sweeping back in the day.
Location 3
Where is it?
On the right after a good few metres down the left turn from the main entrance path, near the first Broom shrubs…
What is it?
Rosebay Willow Herb or Chamaenerion angustifolium
When can I see it?
Between June and September, this tall pink flower that can grow up to 1.5metres
What does it do?
It can produce up to 80,000 seeds from one plant, and became known as bombweed after WWII as it grew on bombed out sites. In Russia the plant is made into tea, known as Koporsky tea, rich in iron, copper, potassium and calcium, while it is also the floral emblem of Yukon.
Location 4
Where is it?
Further along on the right of the path…
What is it?
Ragwort or Jacobaea vulgaris
When can I see it?
It’s yellow, daisy-like flowers pop up between June and November
What does it do?
It’s poisonous to horses if they eat bucket loads of it, but butterflies and insects love it, particularly the black and yellow striped caterpillar, a cinnabar which turns into the diurnal cinnabar moth after it has munched through loads of Ragwort leaves. It is also one of the top sources of nectar for bees. Ragwort can cause skin irritation for humans, but is the national flower (cushag) of the Isle of Man.
Location 5
Where is it?
Near the Ragwort on the right hand side of the path…
What is it?
Cat’s Ear or Hypochaeris radicata
When can I see it?
Its small yellow flowers bloom between June and October
What does it do?
It looks like a dandelion and is actually also called the false dandelion. Spot it by checking that the stem is solid rather than hollow. Its roots can be roasted and used as a coffee-like drink.
Location 6
Where is it?
On the left of the path further up, the ground opens up to show the old St Paul’s School site, now an overgrown rocky ex-playground
What is it?
Orange Hawkweed or Pilosella aurantiaca
When can I see it?
It’s stunning orange-red flowers can usually be seen June to September
What does it do?
It’s also known as devil’s paintbrush, grim-the-collier (because its black hairs at its base resemble a miner covered in coal grime), and fox and cubs (the open flowers are the fox, its buds are the cubs). It’s called Hawkweed because hawks are said to eat it and get their amazing eyesight from it. There are 340 different species of hawkweed and while it looks pretty, its pollen kills the embryos of other plants to stop them
Location 7
Where is it?
There’s loads of blackberry bushes on the old school site and along the paths of the Moor
What is it?
Blackberry bushes
When can I see it?
Its luscious deep purple edible berries grows amongst its brambles, and it flowers and fruits between July and September
What does it do?
Raw blackberries provide 25% of the daily dose of Vitamin C, 31% of manganese and 19% of Vitamin K. All good stuff but here’s a tip – don’t pick ones near the ground and eat them, as dogs tend to wee on them!
Location 8
Where is it?
Back on the main path near the old school site, in the grass on the left
What is it?
Sorrel or Rumex acetosa
When can I see it?
It’s a perennial and grows all year round
What does it do?
It’s loved by butterflies, moths, slugs and snails…and humans use it too. The young tender leaves, which have a bitter, lemony taste, are used soups, sauces, stews and salads.
Location 9
Where is it?
A few yards up the path about two feet in front of the bench
What is it?
Red Clover or Trifolium pratense
When can I see it?
It appears May to October
What does it do?
It’s a favourite source of nectar for bees. Red Clover has also been used in herbal medicine as it contains isoflavones, which are changed inside the body to phytoestrogens that are similar to the hormone estrogen. Some women use Red Clover for symptoms of the menopause such as hot flushes; for breast pain or tenderness and for premenstrual syndrome.
Location 10
Where is it?
Still on the path parallel to Moor Lane, the gradient increases slightly as it rises to what is the (disputed) highest point in Salford, with two benches at the top. Just before the path begins to rise, however, in the grass on the right
What is it?
Ribwort Plantain or Plantago lanceolata
When can I see it?
It appears May to October
What does it do?
Also known as lamb’s tongue due to the shape of its leaves. Its brown, poker shaped flowers emerge from long stems that shoot up out of its leaves. It’s used in herbal teas as a cough medicine, and as a much better antidote to nettle stings than dock leaves.
Location 11
Where is it?
Carpeting the Moor on the right of the path as it ascends towards the two benches at the top point
What is it?
Bell Heather or Calluna vulgaris
When can I see it?
Its lilac flowers bring the Moor to life between July and September
What does it do?
Deer, which have been spotted on the Moor, graze on it. Heather has also been used from medieval times as a colour dye, for making brooms, or besoms, and for making beer. And, as everyone knows, it’s also a lucky charm
Location 12
Where is it?
Dotted in between the Heather on the slopes of the Moor
What is it?
Fly Agaric or Amanita muscaria
When can I see it?
August to November is best
What does it do?
The psychedelic mushroom of fairy tales, Disney films and hippie culture grows all around the Moor during the period August to November. Muscaria literally means ‘to fly’ from the Latin, which might explain why deer are attracted to it, and in legend reindeers fly pulling Santa’s sleigh! It does produce psychedelic reactions and guides state that the Fly Agaric should always be treated as deadly poisonous.
Location 13
Where is it?
By the benches at the top of the hill
What is it?
Geranium or Cranesbill
When can I see it?
March to September is best
What does it do?
There are around four hundred species of geranium and these Kersal Moor specimens, growing under the benches at the top of the sandy hill, could have come from someone’s garden. Their flowers can be pink, red, purple or blue. They contain essential oils that can be used as a deodorant, tonic, and diuretic, while its leaves can be used to make tea.
Location 14
Where is it?
Near the benches at the top of the hill
What is it?
Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil or Lotus pedunculatus
When can I see it?
May to September is best
What does it do?
This low creeping perennial has bright yellow flowers when it blooms, and is actually a member of the pea family. The ‘bird’s foot’ in its name refers to the shape of its seed pods, and it’s also known as ‘eggs and bacon’ via its yellow and orange hue. Caterpillars love it and it’s a good source of nectar for insects.
Location 15
Where is it?
Down the hill from the benches, almost to the far edge of the Moor parallel with Moor Lane, where the path turns right, look to the left near the road
What is it?
Bluebells or Hyacinthoides non-scripta
When can I see it?
During spring
What does it do?
Also known as Witches’ Thimbles, Lady’s Nightcap and Cuckoo’s Boots, it is known as Britain’s favourite flower, and it is actually against the law to pick or destroy it. Almost half of the world’s bluebells are to be found in the UK.
Location 16
Where is it?
Where the path turns right towards the base of the Moor
What is it?
Fruit Trees – apple, plum and pear
When can I see it?
They blossom in spring and fruit in late summer and autumn
What does it do?
Planted by Friends of Kersal Moor at its Fruits of the Earth Festival in 2012, there are twelve fruit trees on the Moor, at this location and up by the Moor Lane entrance path near the Churchyard. You can spot the fruit trees as they have wooden stakes to hold them up.
Location 17
Where is it?
Parallel to Heathlands Road and along the path, near to the Heathlands Road entrance to the Moor, on the right
What is it?
Rosehip or Dog Rose
When can I see it?
They blossom in spring with pink-white flowers and fruit in late summer and autumn with bright red fruit hanging from long thorny stems
What does it do?
The fruit, or rosehips, are used to make jams, stews, teas and wine, and contain twenty times more Vitamin C than oranges, and thus were highly cultivated during the Second World War and given as Rosehip Syrup. It’s one of the longest living plants, and was called ‘dog rose’ as it was said to cure the bite of rabid dogs.
Location 18
Where is it?
Almost next to the Rosehip in the grass
What is it?
Herb Robert or Geranium robertianum
When can I see it?
It flowers from spring to autumn with pink five-petal flowers
What does it do?
Part of the geranium family, it was traditionally used to treat stomach pains and nosebleeds, while it was also used as an antiseptic. Its leaves are also edible and used for making tea, or crushed and rubbed on the skin as an insect repellent.
Location 19
Where is it?
Along the path and on the left, near the fences of houses
What is it?
Foxglove or Digitalis
When can I see it?
Its bright purple tubular flowers which blossom in June and September
What does it do?
The Latin name, Digitalis, means ‘finger-like’. In olde England, the plant got its affectionate name from the myth that foxes wore the flowers on their paws so that their prey couldn’t hear them coming. Foxgloves are highly poisonous and toxic for humans although digitalis, the drug derived from Foxglove leaves, was used to treat heart conditions.
Location 20
Where is it?
Near the fences on the right of the path, in the grass, is Greater Plantain
What is it?
Greater Plantain or Broadleaf Plantain
When can I see it?
It blooms between June and October and has tiny green and white-ish flowers growing on its spiky stalks
What does it do?
Not to be confused with the banana like plantain, this plant grows low to the ground, and the leaves can be used in salads, while it was used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation, improve digestion and heal wounds.
Location 21
Where is it?
As the path sweeps right edging downhill, down some steps on the left, near the metal fencing.
What is it?
Himalayan Balsam or Impatiens glandulifera
When can I see it?
Plant thrives between spring and autumn, with big hat-shaped purple pink flowers
What does it do?
Also known as Indian Balsam, jumping jack and policeman’s helmet, this plant was introduced into the UK in 1839, but has now become known as an invasive weed, with each plant producing up to 800 seeds. However, it also produces masses of nectar, which attracts bees and insects. While this is good, sadly, it means that these insects don’t visit other plants to pollinate them; which is bad! Himalayan Balsam is the largest annual plant in Britain, growing up to 2.5 metres high. People are being encouraged to destroy them and it is actually an offence to purposely grow them in the wild.
Location 22
Where is it?
As the path sweeps right edging downhill, down some steps on the right
What is it?
Hogweed or Cow Parsnip
When can I see it?
The best time to see Kersal Moor’s Hogweed is between May and September
What does it do?
Not to be confused with the poisonous Giant Hogweed, which grows much taller and has pointed leaves. It can grow up to two metres tall and is easily spotted with clusters of small white and pinkish flowers. It is said to sometimes give off a pig-like odour. Meanwhile, its hollow stalks were once used as water pistols by children, and by adults as straws to drink cider…
Location 23
Where is it?
Down the steps, as the path turns right near the entrance to Prestwich Golf Course, on the left by that entrance
What is it?
Water Mint or Mentha aquatica
When can I see it?
Flowers mid to late summer but its leaves are more or less permanent
What does it do?
Its leaves are used to make herbal tea. Water mint contains menthol, which might help with irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion. If you cross of water mint and spearmint you get peppermint.
Location 24
Where is it?
Heading to the right in line with the fence that separates new building development, past the golf course entrance, on both sides of the path
What is it?
Hard Fern or Blechnum spicant
When can I see it?
Flowers mid to late summer but its leaves are more or less permanent
What does it do?
Also known as deer fern, herringbone fern and snake fern because of its appearance. Red deer feed on this fern in winter, which might explain the sightings of them on the Moor, while its leaves were traditionally used as a treatment for stomach problems, lung disorders and even cancer.
Location 25
Where is it?
If the path through the middle of the Moor is taken it brings you close up to Gorse
What is it?
Gorse
When can I see it?
During most of the year
What does it do?
A large spiky shrub that has bright yellow flowers with a coconut scent. According to folklore, you should only kiss your lover when gorse is in flower – which is most of the year on Kersal Moor! The straight stems of gorse are used for making walking sticks and chimney brushes, while the flowers can be made into tea. It was voted the county flower of Belfast, while a sprig of gorse is often added to the bride’s wedding bouquet as a symbol of fertility.
I really appreciate the effort and skill you have put into this map. I walk my dog on the Moor everyday and will use it to identify the various plants, shrubs and trees. Nice work!