01 April 2024

Herb Robert

Look out for herb robert, sometimes easily identified by its red stems. In exposed situations especially where water is scarce, the stems and leaves become bright red. The stems have prominent joints where they branch. Herb robert was valued in folk medicine to stop bleeding and used to cure redwater in cattle. Triangular leaves are divided into lobes – five in upper leaves and three in lower leaves and each lobe is further lobed or toothed. Delicate pink flowers bloom from April to November. Five unnotched petals have lighter pink lines running into the centre of the flower where orange anthers protrude. Herb Robert is part of our native Irish biodiversity.