Bloom & Bell: Handmade, homegrown, and a little magic.

Welcome. We are going to start with one plant at a time, and get to know it with our senses first. Start slow. Only use a plant you can name.

So write the full name down every time, common name plus Latin name, plus the plant part. Learn the leaves, stems, flowers, and smell together, not one feature alone. If you can’t confirm the ID yet, wait until you can confirm it.

A leaf can look like another leaf. A flower can look like another flower. Smell helps, and so does the stem, and so does the place where the plant grows. Check at least three features before you settle on a name, that’s my rule of thumb here. A photo from one angle isn’t enough.

Safety note: never eat, drink, or put on skin a plant you haven’t confirmed. If you’ve got a known allergy to a plant family (like the daisy family), check the family first. If you are still unsure, please ask a local herbalist, botanist, or your county extension office. The rule for this course is: know the plant before you use it.

Week 1 Quiz

Choose the best answer for each question. You will get feedback right away.

Score so far: 0 out of 6 correct – 0% (0 of 6 answered)

1. You found a plant and wrote down “mint” in your notebook. Is that enough to use it?

2. You checked the leaf shape and it matches the plant in your book. Are you ready to name it?

3. You took one clear photo of a plant from above. Can you name it from that photo?

4. Your friend picked a plant she hasn’t confirmed yet and wants to make tea with it. What do you tell her?

5. Your sister is allergic to daisies and wants to try a new herb. What should she check first?

6. You’ve checked three features but you’re still not sure what the plant is. What do you do?

Want more? Here is a taste of the paid Week 1 lesson, How to read a plant ID.

My notebook page with four notes on it is worth more than a drawer full of unlabeled jars. Leaf, stem, flower, smell. That’s the whole trick.

In the paid lesson, you will learn:

  • How to read a leaf, shape, edge, and how the leaves sit on the stem.
  • How to read a stem, round or square, smooth or hairy, woody or soft.
  • How to read a flower, petal count, color, and center.
  • How to use smell, and why you never taste a plant to identify it.
  • Two small details that matter, a square stem points toward the mint family, and a hollow flower center points toward German chamomile.

The full paid course starts Monday, January 4, 2027, with a new lesson every Monday. Learn more on the Herbal Basics Daily page.

Sources

This lesson is educational only and does not constitute medical advice. If you take medications, are pregnant, or have a medical condition, consult a qualified medical professional before using any herb.

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