Top 20 Most Common Plants in Belgium

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Top 20 Most Common Plants in Belgium

In Belgium, you can find Stinging nettle, English ivy, Common yarrow, Sycamore, Swiss cheese plant, and more! There are 20 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

Most Common Plants

Stinging nettle

1. Stinging nettle

Although the stinging nettle has a variety of uses it is best known for its eponymous sting. It has sharp defensive hairs on its leaves and stems which will release pain-inducing chemicals when touched. Nevertheless, Dorset, England hosts an annual World Nettle Eating Championship, which started with a debate between two farmers over the severity of their nettle infestations. To consume them more safely, stinging nettles must be thoroughly boiled.

English ivy

English ivy is the most common climber of European forests. It is a perennial woody vine with evergreen, dark, shiny lobed leaves. It utilizes aerial rootlets to attach to the tree bark with exceptional strength, helping the english ivy creep more than 15 m up a tree. Hedera helix also grows as a forest groundcover and is invasive outside its native range.

Common yarrow

3. Common yarrow

Common yarrow is a wildflower that has feathery leaves and flowers in white, yellow or pink. In China, the plant is considered to be good luck while for some time in Scotland it was believed to have magical properties. It has been brewed into beer, tea, and liquors, but it has low toxicity. Do not consume in large quantities. Common yarrow's bitter leaves are toxic to pets and horses. Other livestock can eat it, though it gives cow milk an unpleasant flavor.

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Sycamore

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) is a tree native to Europe and Asia. Sycamore is tolerant of wind and coastal exposure. This species is known as the sycamore maple in the United States. Sycamore wood is commercially used to make musical instruments, furniture, joinery, wood flooring and kitchen utensils.

Swiss cheese plant

5. Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Elder

Elder is a malodorous shrub whose berries nevertheless act as an important food source for birds. To humans, except for its flowers and ripen fruits, other parts are poisonous. Ripen fruits can be cooked and made into jams, jellies and chutneys, while flowers could be made into syrups, but it is recommended to be guided by a professional before picking.

Creeping buttercup

7. Creeping buttercup

While originally used as an ornamental plant around the world, the creeping buttercup is now considered invasive in many places. Distribution usually occurs through the transportation of hay, making control difficult. The creeping buttercup is considered poisonous and can cause skin blistering.

English oak

The english oak (*Quercus robur*) is a deciduous tree native to Europe. It is a very long-lived tree; the oldest known specimens have been living for more than a thousand years. It is commonly represented in European mythologies as a symbol of strength, longevity, nobility, morale, and knowledge.

Chinese money plant

9. Chinese money plant

The chinese money plant makes a striking visual display as a houseplant with its large, circular, and shiny, leaves, which can have a diameter of over 15 cm. Although the plant does produce a small white flower, the main focus is the unique and showy leaves.

Common hazel

10. Common hazel

Common hazel (Corylus avellana) is a deciduous shrub species that is cultivated for its edible nuts. Hazelnuts can refer to the nut from any Corylus species, but it most often refers to Corylus avellana. The nuts from common hazel are eaten straight or used in making confectionary. Common hazel is native to Europe and western Asia.

Creeping thistle

11. Creeping thistle

This aggressive weed spreads across grasslands and fields via underground roots that creep horizontally, some for more than 5 m. It can cause major problems to agriculture if its growth is left unchecked. Its seeds feed many birds as well as pest insects. Creeping thistle is generally considered a noxious weed even in its native territory.

Ground ivy

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is a perennial evergreen trailing plant, often found in grasslands and woodlands. Saxon peoples once spread the plant, but it has become invasive in some parts of the world now. The fast-growing ground ivy can be toxic to horses but generally cannot harm other animals or humans.

European ash

13. European ash

European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is a large deciduous tree featured in Norse mythology and Scottish folklore. European ash is native to mainland Europe. This species is susceptible to the disease Ash dieback which is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. European ash often grows in basic soils on calcareous substrates.

Ribwort plantain

14. Ribwort plantain

Ribwort plantain grows in a number of different habitats as long as it has enough sunlight. Its leaves have characteristic parallel veins that make it easy to identify. The heads of ribwort plantains get popped off in some common British children's games. Its seeds are critical food sources for songbirds, and its leaves are eaten by rabbits and deer.

European beech

15. European beech

European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a large deciduous tree often used for ornamental purposes. European beech tends to out-compete other tree species, due to its dense canopy and tolerance to shade. Its wood is highly valued and has a very diverse use, including making furniture, musical instruments, for construction, as firewood, charcoal, and plywood.

Common hawthorn

16. Common hawthorn

Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a flowering tree that is actually part of the rose family. It is not unusual in garden settings and arranged as hedges. Examples of famous common hawthorn trees include the apocryphal oldest tree in France, and a well-known hawthorn in England that stood out for flowering three times a year.

White clover

17. White clover

White clover (Trifolium repens) is a perennial herb, one of the most cultivated species of clover. It can be found on lawns and grasslands all over the world. White clover is often cultivated as a forage plant and used for green manure in agriculture.

Bigleaf hydrangea

18. Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Tansy ragwort

19. Tansy ragwort

Tansy ragwort is a biennial that is classified in many areas of the United States as a noxious weed. The tansy ragwort is poisonous to livestock, pets, and humans. This plant is found in sunny open areas like pastures and meadows. It has bright yellow flowers and grows 61 to 122 cm tall.

Meadow buttercup

20. Meadow buttercup

Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) is a flowering plant native to Europe. It has gained many nicknames related to its yellow flowers and ubiquity in meadow-like environments. Meadow buttercup is moderately toxic to both humans and livestock.

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More Plants in Belgium

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Belgium's temperate climate and fertile soils create a conducive environment for a diverse range of flora, including toxic species. While the region supports abundant plant life, concerns regarding the proliferation of toxic varieties such as , , and persist. These plants pose risks to human and animal health, requiring awareness and management to mitigate potential adverse effects.

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Most Common Flowers

Belgium's climate and soil provide an ideal setting for native flowers to thrive. Among these resplendent blooms are , , and . These flowers not only add visual beauty to the region, but also hold significant symbolism and ecological importance. Precise and trustworthy sources confirm the abundance of these characteristic flowers in Belgium.

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

With Spring's embrace, Belgium's landscapes transform as warmer temperatures and lengthening days invite a floral spectacle. The vivid bursts onto the scene, a symbol of rejuvenation, alongside the delicately fragrant , heralding the season's freshness. Meanwhile, the iconic adds a kaleidoscope of color, each bloom celebrating the country's rich botanical heritage and the promise of new beginnings.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

Spring in Belgium unfurls with mild temperatures and gentle rains, creating a verdant tapestry ideal for fruit cultivation. During this season, , , and reach their peak, offering fresh, succulent fruits that embody the essence of springtime renewal. These fruits, celebrated for their flavor and nutritional value, become staples at local markets, signifying the vibrant agricultural heart of the region.

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Most Common Fruits

Belgium's temperate maritime climate, characterized by mild summers, cool winters, and ample rainfall, along with fertile loam soils, presents an advantageous environment for the cultivation of various local fruit plants. Key staples such as , , and not only thrive here but hold substantial cultural importance. These fruits are integral to Belgian gastronomy and are celebrated through numerous regional festivals, symbolizing the rich horticultural heritage of the country.

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Most Common Trees

Belgium's climate and soil conditions provide a favorable environment for the growth of native trees. Three emblematic trees in Belgium include , , and . These trees hold significant cultural and ecological value in the region. They contribute to the biodiversity, provide habitat for wildlife, and have historical importance. Belgium's native trees are cherished for their beauty and play an essential role in the country's natural heritage.

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Most Common Weeds

Belgium's temperate climate, characterized by mild winters and cool summers, creates a nurturing environment for various garden weeds. The moist conditions, especially in rural and suburban areas, spell an ongoing battle for gardeners against invasive species. Among the numerous unwanted plants, , , and are notably pervasive, often requiring persistent weeding efforts to manage their encroachment in both private and public landscapes.

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Most Common Tall Trees

Belgium's temperate climate and fertile soils in regions like the Ardennes offer ideal conditions for tall trees to flourish. Among the titanic flora, , , and stand as natural skyscrapers. These species command respect for their impressive height and play significant roles, whether in biodiversity, carbon sequestration, or historical reverence within the landscape.

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

Winter in Belgium is a frosty environment, but it is surprisingly a haven for certain flowers. Despite the chill, , , and bravely bloom, showcasing their resilience and beauty. These winter flowers bring a touch of color and symbolic depth to the serene cold of Belgium.

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