Rare tower mustard takes root on Barnes Common

Volunteers have helped rare tower mustard (Turritis glabra) take root on Barnes Common and other sites across London, by growing plants from seed at home to help re-establish the species.

More than 1,000 tower mustard plants have been successfully grown and planted out by volunteers. This marks a successful first year for a major community-led effort to restore one of London’s rarest native plants. The volunteers’ plants are now planted at Barnes Common, Wimbledon Common, Hounslow Heath and Lesnes Abbey Woods.

We have supported this project from its early days, helping to protect the donor population at Stain Hill Reservoir and supporting reintroduction at sites across west London. At its heart are the communities, conservation partners and volunteers working together to help tower mustard thrive again. Volunteers have taken great care and time to help grow these rare plants and return them to our green spaces and we will continue supporting these new populations to take root.

Led by Citizen Zoo, Habitats and Heritage and Barnes Conservation, the tower mustard project brings together a network of land managers, community groups, conservation partners and volunteers. Botanist Dr Mark Spencer and Paul Losse were commissioned by Richmond Council to carry out the initial feasibility study into reintroducing tower mustard in south-west London and continue to provide expert support with growing, planting and aftercare.

Tower mustard is a native UK herb that has suffered steep declines due to habitat destruction and changes in land management. It is thought to survive at around 30 sites across England and, before the project began, at only two sites in London. The species is assessed as Near Threatened on the Great Britain Red List and Endangered in England.