Jena, May 21, 2026 – As part of the nationwide action week “#Krautschau,” two public walks in Jena at the end of May invite participants to explore the diversity of urban wild plants. On May 27 and 28, participants can identify, document, and creatively highlight these often-overlooked plants in the cityscape for passersby.
- What: Walks for “#Krautschau” (plant identification in urban spaces)
- When: Wednesday, May 27, 2026, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 4:00 PM each
- Where: Meeting point at the entrance of the Ernst-Abbe-Bücherei, Engelplatz, Jena
- Duration: approximately two hours each
- Cost: Participation is free of charge; no registration is required. Children are also very welcome.
Identifying Wild Herbs in Urban Pavement
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of wild plants in urban areas. Often dismissed as weeds, these plants in pavement cracks, wall corners, and roadsides make important contributions to the urban microclimate and provide food for insects. During the two-hour tours, participants identify the plants on-site and label the pavement next to them with colorful sidewalk chalk. In this way, subsequent passersby are also made aware of the botanical diversity.
Background: Botanical Tradition and Urban Nature in Jena
Jena has a long botanical tradition closely linked to the work of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität. Due to its location in the middle Saale valley, surrounded by prominent Muschelkalk slopes, the region has an above-average density of rare plant species. Actions like the “#Krautschau” bring this biological heritage directly into the densely built-up city center.
The meeting point at Engelplatz, named after a historical inn, serves today as a central link between the historical old town and the modern library and cultural buildings. The area around the Theatervorplatz, with its various soil structures and pavements, offers an ideal object for observing the adaptability of urban wild herbs.
Source:
Krautschau invites you to discover urban plants
Transparency Note: This article was automatically created, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.