Home / Environment / London Volunteers Revive Rare Tower Mustard
London Volunteers Revive Rare Tower Mustard
19 Oct
Summary
- Over 1,000 tower mustard plants grown and planted by volunteers.
- Project aims to restore one of London's rarest native wildflowers.
- Seeds sourced from last remaining tower mustard populations in London.
A major community-led initiative in London has successfully grown and planted over 1,000 tower mustard plants, marking a significant first year for the project aimed at restoring this rare native wildflower. Led by Citizen Zoo and Habitats & Heritage, the effort involves a network of land managers, community groups, and volunteers.
Mighty Mustard volunteers learned to sow seeds and nurtured the plants at home. These seeds were gathered from the last remaining tower mustard populations located in Bexley and Richmond-upon-Thames. The reestablished plants are now growing at several London sites, including Wimbledon Common and Lesnes Abbey Woods.
Tower mustard, a native UK herb, has experienced a severe decline due to habitat loss and changes in land management. It is listed as near threatened nationally and endangered in England, supporting essential pollinators. This community-driven approach, funded by the Greater London Authority's Green Roots Fund and Thames Water, offers a potential blueprint for conserving other vulnerable plant species using volunteer input.
