I often blog about pollution and work we are doing to improve what is wrong with the river.  However, there is a lot of wonderful sides to the Wandle too!

This is the first of an occasional blog on the life found in and around the Wandle for you to look out for…

Purple Loosestrife on the banks of the Wandle at Butterhill (Carshalton)

It is time for the beautiful Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) to be seen flowering on the banks of the river. This  plant is a perennial plant loved by bees and butterflies.

It was used in the past as an astringent medicinal herb to treat diarrhea and dysentry.

Keep your eye out for a splash of beautiful purple as you walk or cycle along the river banks!