KS1 (Age 5-7)KS2 (Age 7-11)11 Plus (Age 7-11)KS3 (Age 11-14)GCSE (Age 14-17)PSHE A.I.ESL Spanish Specialist Games

Need help with Herbs and Spices - Miscellaneous Herbs? Ask our AI Tutor!

AI Tutor - Lucy

Connecting with Tutor...

Please wait while we establish connection

Hi! I'm Lucy, your AI tutor. How can I help you with Herbs and Spices - Miscellaneous Herbs today?

now

Parsley is a very versatile culinary herb.

Herbs and Spices - Miscellaneous Herbs

Some herbs do not fit neatly into “culinary” or “medicinal”. This quiz explores a mix of useful, interesting herbs and how to grow, identify, and handle them safely.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Borage is a self-seeding herb with star-shaped blue flowers. It is often grown to attract pollinators, especially bees.

“Miscellaneous herbs” covers the plants gardeners grow for all sorts of reasons: scent, colour, wildlife value, traditional uses, or because they are simply hardy and easy to keep going. Many of these herbs thrive in sunny spots with free-draining soil and do well in pots, raised beds, or borders. Because herbs can spread in different ways, it helps to learn their growth habit. Some form clumps, some trail, and some reseed themselves, so they may pop up in new places next year. Good gardeners also learn safe identification, as not every herb is suitable for eating, and some plants can irritate skin or upset pets. When you understand how a herb grows, what conditions it prefers, and how it behaves over the seasons, it becomes much easier to choose the right plant for the right spot and keep your garden balanced.

Key Terms

Self-seeding: When a plant drops seeds that grow into new plants naturally the next season.
Free-draining: Soil that lets extra water pass through easily, helping to prevent soggy roots.
Growth habit: The way a plant grows, such as clump-forming, trailing, or spreading.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What does “miscellaneous herbs” mean in gardening?

In gardening, “miscellaneous herbs” usually means herbs that are useful or interesting but do not sit in just one category, such as purely culinary or purely medicinal.

How do I stop an herb from spreading all over my garden?

You can limit spreading by removing flower heads before seeds ripen, lifting runners or unwanted shoots, and growing vigorous herbs in pots or contained beds.

Can I eat any herb that looks and smells nice?

No, you should only eat herbs you can identify with confidence, because some plants can cause illness or allergic reactions. If in doubt, treat it as ornamental.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

What is the name of this herb?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.biolib.de/

Rose

Saffron

Vervain

Lavender

Latin Name: Verbena bonariensis.
Also known as pigeonweed, holy herb and herb of grace.
In ancient witchcraft a cold infusion of the plant was said to be valuable to make an unwanted person leave.
Verbena in Latin means 'holy plant' and in ancient times it was used in various rites and incantations.
Long considered a cure-all for many different ailments.
It is still used externally to treat cuts and grazes.

2 .

What is the name of this herb?

Photograph courtesy of www.geograph.org.uk/profile/8569

Chamomile

Saffron

Cedar

Pennyroyal

Latin Name: Crocus sativus hybrid.
This spice has been treasured for thousands of years and it remains the most expensive spice in the world.
The part of the plant used to create the spice is the dried stigmas of the flowers.
The taste is slightly bitter.
It smells a little like hay.
Used as a colouring agent (golden yellow) in food.

3 .

What is the name of this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Wallygrom

Lavender

Purple coneflower

Chamomile

Angelica

One of the most beautifully aromatic plants of British gardens where it is often used to attract butterflies.
Retains its scent when dried and this makes it a firm favourite for use in cosmetics and toiletries.
Used to make tea and ice cream as well as to perfume linens and make perfumed candles.
Grown commercially on a large scale in Norfolk.

4 .

What is the name of this herb?

Photograph courtesy of www.geograph.org.uk/profile/13903

Rose

Angelica

Mistletoe

Chamomile

Latin Name: Chamomile.
Used to sooth and soften the skin.
As an ingredient in hair shampoo it is said to lighten the colour of blond hair.
In aromatherapy it is used for calming and rejuvenating.
It is claimed that extracts from the plant help with everything from acne to depression and from headaches to sunburn!

5 .

What is the name of this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Raffi Kojian

Purple coneflower

Pennyroyal

Saffron

Mistletoe

Latin Name: Mentha pulegium.
A member of the mint family with the typical strong smell of that family.
Many varied uses over the centuries amongst which are:
Purifying drinking water.
Remedy for sea sickness.
Put in the bedding of pets to keep away fleas.
Insect repellent.

6 .

What is the name of this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Stan Shebs

Pennyroyal

Vervain

Purple coneflower

Rose

Latin Name: Rosa rubiginosa.
Sometimes known as sweet briar.
Fresh flower petals can be floated on water to add fragrance to a room and when dried the petals make an excellent ingredient for pot pourri.
Leaves smell strongly of apple.
One of the most highly prized flowering plants to add scent to a garden.
Plant in a south or west corner so that gentle summer breezes carry the fragrance throughout the garden.

7 .

What is the name of this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Bob Osborn

Angelica

Saffron

Mistletoe

Lavender

Preparations made from the root can prevent acne on the face and athlete's foot but the roots should not be eaten - they are sometimes used as an insecticide!
When eaten the plant leaves prevent scurvy and because it is widespread and grows freely it has often been used for this purpose.
Leaves can be made into a general tonic and it is said to 'strengthen the heart'.

8 .

What is the name of this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Pauline Eccles

Mistletoe

Lavender

Vervain

Cedar

Latin Name: Viscum album.
It is a semi-parasite and as such needs a tree to grow on, most often apple, hawthorn, lime and poplar but it is sometimes seen in other trees.
Considered sacred by the druids because in the dead of winter its host tree would be bare of leaves but this plant would seem to be still flourishing.
A surefire way of securing a kiss at Christmas!

9 .

What is the name of this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Wallygrom

Cedar

Purple coneflower

Vervain

Pennyroyal

A number of plants in at least 3 different genera are often referred to by this common name.
Plants are distinguished by having aromatic wood.
The oils that give the wood its scent also make it resistant to rotting.
Oil extracts are used in candles and burning these is said to fight insomnia.

10 .

What is the name of this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Ulf Eliasson

Angelica

Cedar

Purple coneflower

Rose

Latin Name: Echinacea purpurea.
The genus name is Greek for 'hedgehog' no doubt because of the spiky central disc of the flower.
The common name is also derived from the appearance of the centre of the flower.
It is widely believed that the plant stimulates the body's immune system and thereby prevents diseases and infections.

Author: Colin King

**Unlimited Quizzes Await You! 🚀**

Hey there, quiz champ! 🌟 You've already tackled today's free questions.
Ready for more?

🔓 Unlock UNLIMITED Quizzes and challenge yourself every day. But that's
not all...

🔥 As a Subscriber you can join our thrilling "Daily Streak" against other
quizzers. Try to win a coveted spot on our Hall of Fame Page.

Don't miss out! Join us now and keep the fun rolling. 🎉

Subscribe & Play

**Unlimited Quizzes Await You! 🚀**

Hey there, quiz champ! 🌟 You've already tackled today's free questions. Ready for more?

🔓 Unlock UNLIMITED Quizzes and challenge yourself every day. But that's not all...

🔥 As a Subscriber you can join our thrilling "Daily Streak" against other quizzers. Try to win a coveted spot on our Hall of Fame Page.

Don't miss out! Join us now and keep the fun rolling. 🎉

Subscribe & Play

Leave Feedback