London’s Tower Mustard Revival: Richmond Volunteers Save Rare Plant 2026

Key Points

• Richmond upon Thames is participating in a London-wide conservation programme to restore the endangered Turritis glabra, known as tower mustard, one of the UK’s rarest native plants.
• Tower mustard, a herb growing to about one metre tall with delicate white flowers, supports pollinators like native bees, butterflies, and rare moths.
• The species is classified as Near Threatened on the Great Britain Red List due to steep declines from habitat destruction, agricultural intensification, building development, and changes in land management.
• Volunteers, dubbed “Tower Mustard Guardians,” will grow the plant from seed at home starting in March 2026, then replant at selected sites in autumn, including five historical locations in London.
• Seeds sourced from London’s two remaining sites and about 30 known sites across England.
• Funded by the Mayor of London’s Green Roots Fund and Thames Water.
• Partners include Citizen Zoo, Habitats & Heritage, Barnes Conservation, London Natural History Society, London Borough of Hounslow, Lampton Countryside Rangers, Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators, Home Park (Historic Royal Palaces), and Lesnes Abbey Woods.
• Expert support from botanist Dr Mark Spencer.​
• Training session by Habitats & Heritage on 14 March 2026 in Twickenham.
• Builds on Citizen Zoo’s previous projects like “Hop of Hope” for large marsh grasshoppers in Norfolk.
• Hounslow Heath is one key replanting site in Hounslow.​

Richmond upon Thames (South London News) February 26, 2026 – Richmond upon Thames has joined a pioneering London-wide initiative led by Citizen Zoo to revive tower mustard (Turritis glabra), one of the capital’s rarest plants, through community-driven home cultivation and strategic replanting. This effort unites volunteers, councils, and conservation groups to combat the species’ decline, with participants set to grow seeds at home from March before autumn plantings at historic sites. Funded by the Mayor of London’s Green Roots Fund and Thames Water, the programme highlights a collaborative push to safeguard biodiversity amid urban pressures.

What Is Tower Mustard and Why Is It Rare?

Tower mustard, scientifically Turritis glabra, is a native UK herb that once thrived across the country but now survives at only around 30 sites in England, including just two in London. Growing to approximately one metre in height, it produces slender stems topped with delicate white flowers in spring, playing a crucial role in supporting pollinators such as native bees, butterflies, and rare moths.

The plant’s rarity stems from habitat loss through agricultural intensification, building development, and shifts in land management practices that eliminate the open ground it needs for germination. As detailed in a Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership report, these factors have reduced its occupied area to 15% of its historic range, earning it Near Threatened status on the Great Britain Red List.

How Does the Restoration Programme Work?

The programme recruits volunteer “Tower Mustard Guardians” to grow plants from seed at home, starting with training in March 2026, followed by coordinated replanting in autumn at five carefully selected sites within the species’ historical London range. As reported on Citizen Zoo’s website, seeds are sourced directly from London’s surviving populations to ensure genetic suitability.

Habitats & Heritage is organising a key training event on 14 March 2026 in Twickenham, where participants will learn cultivation techniques before joining planting days. In Hounslow, volunteers will focus on Hounslow Heath, one of the prime sites, as announced by Hounslow Council.

Who Are the Key Partners Involved?

This initiative brings together a broad coalition, led by conservation group Citizen Zoo, with Habitats & Heritage providing operational support. Other partners include Barnes Conservation, the London Natural History Society, Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators, London Borough of Hounslow and its Lampton Countryside Rangers, Home Park managed by Historic Royal Palaces, and Lesnes Abbey Woods in south-east London.

Botanist Dr Mark Spencer, honorary curator at the Linnean Society of London and an expert in urban botany, is offering specialist guidance. Funding comes from the Mayor of London’s Green Roots Fund and Thames Water, enabling this city-wide scale.

What Have Project Leaders Said?

As reported by BBC News, Elliot Newton, Director of Rewilding at Citizen Zoo, stated:

“Our mission to rewild isn’t something we can achieve alone. By putting Tower Mustard in the spotlight and working together at scale, we can show how to rescue a rare London species from near extinction.”​

Charlotte Harris, Nature Conservation Manager at Habitats & Heritage, expressed in the same BBC article and Yahoo News:

“We are excited to offer local residents the unique chance to actively participate in the conservation of one of London’s rarest plants.”

Hounslow Council’s announcement emphasised community involvement, noting the council is “bringing people and organisations together to help protect and restore tower mustard.”​

Why Has Tower Mustard Declined in London?

Once widespread, tower mustard has suffered from habitat destruction, particularly agricultural intensification on heathlands and urban development, as outlined in conservation reports. Changes in land management, such as neglect leading to overgrown sites without open ground for seed germination, have exacerbated the issue.

In London, its presence is now limited to two sites, from which seeds for this project have been ethically harvested. The Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership notes similar declines nationally, with only 28 10km squares recording it between 1987 and 1999, down from 133 historically.

How Can Volunteers Get Involved?

Interested residents can sign up via Citizen Zoo’s volunteer page for training sessions, starting with the Twickenham event on 14 March 2026 hosted by Habitats & Heritage. Participants will receive seeds and instructions to grow plants at home over summer, culminating in autumn planting events at sites like Hounslow Heath.

Citizen Zoo encourages donations or membership to support the work, building on their “Citizen Zookeepers” model. As per their website, this is the organisation’s first London plant-focused project, expanding from animal rewilding efforts.​

What Is the Broader Impact on London’s Biodiversity?

This project marks a vital step in recovering a Near Threatened species, potentially preventing local extinction in the capital. By bolstering pollinator habitats, it aids wider ecosystem health amid urbanisation pressures.

It exemplifies community-led conservation, similar to Citizen Zoo’s “Hop of Hope,” where volunteers reared large marsh grasshoppers for Norfolk wetlands release. Success could inspire further reintroductions, aligning with the Mayor’s green initiatives.

Is This Part of Larger Rewilding Efforts?

Citizen Zoo’s portfolio includes rewilding beavers, water voles, German hairy snails, and white storks, with this being their debut London plant endeavour. Partners like Barnes Conservation and the London Natural History Society bring local expertise in habitat restoration.​

Dr Mark Spencer’s involvement adds forensic botany insights, drawing from his urban plant monitoring at the Natural History Museum. The programme’s scale across boroughs like Richmond upon Thames and Hounslow underscores a united front for urban nature recovery.