A community effort to bring back one of London's rarest plants

Richmond upon Thames is joining a London-wide effort to restore the endangered Turritis glabra (tower mustard) to the capital, uniting communities in a shared mission to safeguard one of the UK's rarest native plants for future generations. 

Tower mustard is a herb native to the UK. Once widespread, it has suffered steep declines due to habitat destruction and changes in land management. The species has been assessed as Near Threatened on the Great Britain Red List. Growing to around one metre tall and producing delicate white flowers, tower mustard plays an important role in supporting pollinators including native bees, butterflies and rare moths. 

About the programme

Volunteer citizen scientists will be supported to grow tower mustard at home before replanting at carefully selected sites across the capital. With the species only surviving at approximately 30 known sites in England, this reintroduction marks a vital stage in its recovery and offers residents a unique chance to support this long running conservation journey. 

The programme is funded by the Mayor of London’s Green Roots Fund and Thames Water, and brings us together with community partners, including Citizen Zoo, Habitats & Heritage, Barnes Conservation, the London Natural History Society, and a wider network of land managers and community groups. Botanist Dr Mark Spencer is providing expert support.

Find out more about the programme.

The London and Richmond Tower Mustard Species Action Plans 

We have led the delivery of both the London and Richmond Tower Mustard Species Action Plans for over 20 years. Working with the Richmond Biodiversity Partnership and Thames Water, we have implemented the key steps necessary to reach a viable reintroduction, including: 

• Monitoring the existing tower mustard population at Stain Hill Reservoir, creating a site management plan, and collecting viable seed for the Millennium Seed Bank at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• Commissioning an expert feasibility study into the re introduction of tower mustard within its former south west London range
• Collecting further viable seed during 2025 to enable a 2026 reintroduction
• Collaborating with project partners to form a team capable of delivering a successful, widespread tower mustard reintroduction and engaging London’s communities with the importance of plant species conservation