Fig / Summer / Autumn / Edible Fig is a non-native small tree or large shrub with edible fruit and leaves. Â Originally from the Mediterranean and Asia, it has been grown in the UK since the 16th century. Common Names Fig, Adriatic Fig, Symrna Fig Botanical Name Ficus carica Scientific…
Category: Plant identification
Ladies Mantle / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Ladies Mantle is a really easy to recognise plant, it can be eaten but it’s mostly used as a herbal medicine. It’s an herbaceous, perennial plant. That’s native to the UK, there are over 200 subspecies of Alchemilla vulgaris in…
Damsons / Summer / Autumn / Edible Damsons are a common shrub with edible plum-like fruits.  Closely related to Sloes, Bullaces and Greengages. Common Names Damsons, Damson Plum Botanical Name Prunus domestica subspecies insititia, or sometimes Prunus insititia Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Rosales Family – Rosaceae Physical…
Douglas Fir / All year round / Edible Douglas fir is a large, naturalised, fast growing, evergreen tree. It was bought to the UK in 1827 by the botanist David Douglas, whom it’s named after. It’s considered the best tasting edible conifer. They typically look like a Christmas tree…
Wild Marjoram/ Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible An aromatic, perennial member of the Mint family, it’s most commonly known as Oregano especially in Europe. Common Names Wild Marjoram, Oregano, Botanical Name Origanum vulgare Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Lamiales Family – Lamiaceae Physical Characteristics for Wild…
Blackcurrant / Summer / Edible An easy to identify member of the Gooseberry family with edible fruits. It’s a medium-sized shrub, growing up to 1.5m tall. Common Names Blackcurrant, Cassis Botanical Name Ribes nigrum Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Saxifragales Family – Grossulariaceae Physical Characteristics for Blackcurrant Leaves…
Vetch / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Vetch is a member of the Pea or Fabaceae family, it’s one of the largest families in nature and there are around 240 Vetches worldwide. The most common in the UK is Common Vetch (Vicia sativa). They can sometimes be hard…
Pennywort / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Pennywort is a perennial, flowering plant and is part of the Stonecrop family. It’s edible and is a great plant for beginners as it has few lookalikes Common Names Pennywort, Navelwort, Wall Pennywort, Penny Pies, Botanical Name Umbilicus rupestris…
Wild Gooseberry / Summer / Edible Wild Gooseberry is a thorny shrub or bush, up to 1.5 metres high. It’s difficult to know whether the plants you find are truly wild or if they are feral. Gooseberries were cultivated a lot in the past. Common Names Wild Gooseberry, European Gooseberry,…
Walnut / All year round / Edible A deciduous, broadleaf tree, it was introduced to the UK by the Romans. Common Names      Walnut, English Walnut, Persian Walnut, Common Walnut Botanical Name Juglans regia Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Fagales Family – Juglandaceae Physical Characteristics for Walnut Leaves The…