Wall Pennywort

Umbilicus rupestris is a great scientific name for Wall Pennywort. Its alternative name is Navelwort. I prefer the name Bellybutton plant, but I just made that up. It has a depression in the centre of the leaf which inspired its name. It’s not that sensible a name because some people have protruding bellybuttons. I know. I found it disturbing too.

It’s growing out of the wall on the path to the church.

It’s a denizen of damp crevices and shady walls. The superstitious nonsense promoted by famous astrologer, botanist and physician Nicholas Culpeper was that it was good for the kidneys, pimples, St. Anthony’s fire, and other ‘outward heats’. Other suggestions for its medicinal uses, from The Phytologist in 1854, include epilepsy, fits and warts.

Here it is on a cigarette card.

Unfortunately lung cancer is not one of the things it is said to cure.