Top 20 Most Common Plants in Latvia

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Top 20 Most Common Plants in Latvia

In Latvia, you can find Greater celandine, Common yarrow, European spindletree, Bird cherry, Common daisy, 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

Greater celandine

1. Greater celandine

Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) is a plant species with distinctive golden-yellow flowers. It has been cultivated since the era of Pliny the Elder, in the first century. The greater celandine is actually a part of the poppy family, and like other species in that genetic family, it is well known for its recognizable, bright blooms. The yellow latex inside is equally recognizable, but is highly toxic if consumed.

Common yarrow

2. 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.

European spindletree

3. European spindletree

The european spindletree is a common garden and park plant due to its beautiful flowering and hardiness. As the name infers, its wood is very hard and can be used to make spindles to spin wool. The fruit of the european spindletree is poisonous and can result in liver damage or death.

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Bird cherry

Bird cherry (Prunus padus) is a small deciduous cherry tree in the subgenus Padus. This species is native to Europe, where it is also known as the Mayday tree because of its historical importance in spring (May Day) festivals. The bird cherry is pollinated by bees and flies. The leaves, stems, and fruits of this species can be toxic to some mammals. In the past, the bark of this tree was traditionally placed near doorways as a spiritual gesture to ward off the plague.

Common daisy

5. Common daisy

The common daisy produces iconic flowers that are seen in European and American folklore dating back centuries. It is often a representation of childlike innocence. The plant is edible and can be used in small quantities in salads, sandwiches, soups, or tea. However, it can also become toxic and cause digestive problems if eaten in quantity.

American Cranberry Bush

6. American Cranberry Bush

The guelder-rose (*Viburnum opulus*) is a large deciduous shrub famous for its bushy appearance, snowball-shaped flowers, and clusters of bright red berries. Its fruits are very acidic, so they are usually relegated to jams. Due to the low toxicity of the fruit, large amounts of consumption may cause discomfort. The guelder-rose is one of american Cranberry Bush's national symbols and the main theme of the famous Russian song "Kalinka".

Scotch heather

7. Scotch heather

Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris) is an evergreen flowering shrub that produces hundreds of rose-pink to purplish-pink, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer. Relatively low maintenance, it is perfect in rock gardens or used as a border or ground cover. It prefers acidic soil and will grow from 30 to 61 cm in full sun to partial shade.

Himalayan balsam

8. Himalayan balsam

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a flowering annual plant found natively in the Himalayan mountains. It is an attractive ornamental plant but has become an invasive species in North America due to humans transiting. In order to remove the invasive species, the plant must be cut out by its roots.

Jade plant

Looking like a miniature fairy tale tree, jade plant is one of the world's most popular succulents. Native to southern regions of Africa, Crassula ovata is well adapted to the dry warm air of modern homes. It grows slowly but lives for so long that plants get passed from generation to generation. It is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, and even mildly toxic to humans.

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.

Norway maple

11. Norway maple

The norway maple is a tree species native to Europe and West Asia. It is 20 to 30 m tall and has bright green, lobed leaves which turn yellow or red in the autumn. Introduced as an ornamental shade tree in the United States, it is now considered invasive. Outside its northern range, it can be short-lived and susceptible to disease and damage.

English ivy

12. 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.

Purple loosestrife

13. Purple loosestrife

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is found in Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. It attracts bees and butterflies as well as the loosestrife beetle which specifically targets the leaves of this plant. In some regions, the fast-growing purple loosestrife has become an invasive species that can outcompete native species.

Viper's bugloss

14. Viper's bugloss

Viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare) is a member of the borage family and attracts honeybees. Once established, this pretty blue wildflower is easy to grow. However, it can become invasive. This species has a deep taproot which makes it difficult to transplant and difficult to eradicate.

Coltsfoot

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a weedy member of the daisy family that has been historically used by indigenous peoples. It forms expansive root systems, making an infestation very hard to eradicate. Coltsfoot is different among plants in that its above-ground shoots produce flowers before growing leaves.

European mountain-ash

16. European mountain-ash

Sorbus aucuparia, also known as european mountain-ash, is a deciduous tree native to Europe. It grows a slim trunk with upward-curving branches as it matures. Its admirable upright and dense branching gives the plant an oval crown. The juicy and soft clustered fruits are an excellent source of food for birds, while its yellow to plum foliage adds to its overall aesthetic appeal.

Florist kalanchoe

17. Florist kalanchoe

Florist kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) originates from Madagascar and has been a popular houseplant since the 1930s. Unlike most other succulents that are grown for their interesting leaves, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is valued for the colorful flowerheads it produces in autumn and winter. This is the reason it is commonly gifted during holidays, earning it another name - Christmas kalanchoe. It is toxic to pets.

Common chicory

18. Common chicory

Common chicory is used in a variety of culinary applications around the world, most commonly with coffee. It is occasionally also added during the beer-brewing process to inject a coffee-like flavor. The leaves can be boiled or eaten raw in salad or with pasta. Common chicory is also a simple livestock fodder. In European folklore, the small blue flowers could be used to magically open locked doors.

Ground elder

19. Ground elder

Aegopodium podagraria, commonly known as ground elder, is a herbaceous perennial native to Eurasia. Origin of its common name lies in the shape of its leaves and flowers, somewhat similar to elderberry. Ground elder is often cultivated as an ornamental plant. Due to its fast spread via rhizomes, it is considered an invasive species in certain countries.

Garden cosmos

20. Garden cosmos

Garden cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a herbaceous annual plant often cultivated as an ornamental in temperate regions. Due to its self-sowing ability, garden cosmos can grow on the same spot for several years, even though it is an annual. Not surprisingly, this quality also made it an invasive species in certain areas of the world.

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More Plants in Latvia

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Most Common Toxic Plants

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Most Common Flowers

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

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Most Common Spring Fruits

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Most Common Fruits

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Most Common Trees

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Most Common Weeds

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Most Common Tall Trees

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

Winter in Latvia is a frosty and serene season, but it is also home to several beautiful flowers that brave the cold. Among these are , , and , which showcase a remarkable resilience and beauty despite the harsh conditions. These winter blooms not only add color and cheer to the snowy landscape but also hold symbolic significance, representing endurance and hope.

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