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Common Fumitory

©Philip Precey

Common fumitory

A scrambling 'weed' of waste ground, fields and gardens, Common fumitory can be found on dry and disturbed soils. Its pink flowers appear over spring and summer.

Scientific name

Fumaria officinalis

When to see

April to October

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 10cm
Common.

About

Common fumitory is a common, scrambling plant that grounds in arable fields and on waste ground in the wider countryside, and favours well-drained, disturbed and bare soils. It can also be found in gardens, where some gardeners view it as a weed.
It has crimson-tipped, pink flowers that appear from April to October.

How to identify

A scrambling plant, Common fumitory has small, much-divided, grey-green leaves and crimson-tipped, pink flowers.

Distribution

Widespread.

Did you know?

Historically, herbalists have used Common fumitory to treat conjunctivitis and skin diseases, and to cleanse the kidneys. But the plant is actually poisonous, so this should not be tried at home.