And now, a Word about Worts! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ribwort

Ribwort is a common plant that self-seeds readily and it often viewed as a weed. It has many varieties, from tiny plants to quite large shrubby clumps. Also called plantain (not the banana sort, that's a totally different plant!), the seeds of this useful herb can be used in the treatment of parasitic worms, while the leaves are used as poultices against cuts, ulcers and rashes.

The picture is of ribs, which give the ribwort its name.

Answer: Nailwort

Not only a delightful plant that should be in your rockery, the nailwort has long been used in traditional medicine as an anti-microbial and to treat kidney stones. It was once thought to cure white patches (leukonychia) of the nails, often caused by systemic diseases such as zine deficiency or liver cirrhosis, among others.

Not fingernails, but house nails appear in the picture.

Answer: Spiderwort

Occurring naturally in woodlands, meadows and roadsides, spiderwort is cultivated these days mostly for its showy but small blooms, which come in a variety of shades. The flowers can be added to a salad as an edible garnish. Care should be taken for those who are susceptible, as the gooey substance in the leaves can cause rashes.

The web is a clue to the correct answer, spiderwort.

Answer: Peachwort

Part of the buckwheat family, peachwort has a hot taste in the mouth, so care should be taken when trying it. Traditionally used for the relief of rheumatic pain, to heal wounds and to arrest bleeding using a poultice, it can also be infused to help alleviate stomach ache. It is related to Persicaria odorata, also known as Vietnamese coriander.

The picture shows peach stones, a clue to the correct answer.

Answer: Quillwort

The fern-like structure and upright growth habit of the quillwort gives it its name. The quillwort isoletes family, although thought to be one of the oldest plants on earth, is under great stress and some of the 192 species are close to extinction. In the USA there are some 18 known patches of the wort, mostly in Georgia. Queen-of-the-Meadow or Joe Pye weed, sometimes also called quillwort, are in fact a different genus.

Most feather quills were from geese, but I am not sure what is shown in the picture!

Answer: Bearwort

Native to mountainous regions of Western and Central Europe, it was thought that an extract in water or the powdered root of spignel or bearwort was helpful in aiding all matters of digestion, and also useful for easing childbirth or snakebite. These days, it's more likely that the roots will be dug up and used as a vegetable, or the dried seeds for adding an almost celery-like flavour to cooking.

The picture is of a teddybear. Cuddling this bear might also relieve stress.

Answer: Spearwort

Ranunculus flammula, or spearwort, is a buttercup in the ranunculus family. In the Isle of Skye and parts of the Scottish highlands the bruised leaves of lesser spearwort were used as a herbal remedy to raise and repair blisters. It can be distilled for use as an emetic, though as most parts of the plant can be poisonous, care should be taken.

The angel in the picture is holding a spear.

Answer: Moonwort

Thought to originate in Sweden, the lunaria annua (or lunaria biennis) is a self-pollinating plant with seeds that can be used as a mustard substitute. The root can be eaten raw.

Another plant also called moonwort is the fern-like botrychium lunaria, which was thought by alchemists to be able to convert mercury to silver. I think they are still working on that...

The picture is a moon; I hope you didn't think it was a hint for a laser, golden rod, or even the sea!

Answer: Liverwort

The reviews of liverwort indicate that care should be taken when using it; nonetheless, it has been used over many years for treating gallstones, liver conditions and digestive disorders. However, there is little evidence that it was efficacious. Though not great for humans, liverworts do play an important part in woodlands, providing food for animals and aiding the decay of woody matter.

The dog pictured has a coat with liver-coloured patches.

Answer: Pearlwort

Culpeper reported that pearlwort was a powerful diuretic, and it has been used for hundreds of years in traditional medicine to strengthen the immune system. It was also thought to prevent or cure kidney stones and relieve the symptoms of asthma. It is a tiny member of the pink family, but it is most often considered a pest.

Thomas Campbell published 'The Bouquet: a collection of tunes composed and adapted to Wesley's Hymns' in 1825 and each of the 23 hymns it contains was given a botanical name. Sadly, little else is known about him or the other tunes he composed.

The picture shows the pearl found inside an oyster shell.