Garlic Mustard / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Garlic Mustard, Hedge Garlic or Jack by the Hedge, whatever you call it, this edible wild green is a spicy mustard and garlic delight! Common names Hedge garlic, Jack-by-the-Hedge, Garlic Mustard, Poor Man’s Mustard, Garlic Root, Penny Hedge, Sauce Alone…
Category: Plant identification
Sow Thistle (Sonchus) How to Identify Sow Thistle(Edible) Common namesSow thistle, hare thistle, hare’s lettuce Botanical nameSonchus (genus of several species) Meaning of botanical nameAn ancient Greek word meaning “hollow”, in reference to the hollow stem Known hazardsUnclear if any recorded Could be confused withGroundsel, which has blunt fuzzy leaves…
ROSEBAY WILLOWHERB (Chamerion angustifolim) How to Identify Rosebay Willowherb(Edible) Common namesRosebay Willowherb, Fireweed Botanical nameChamerion angustifolium Meaning of botanical nameThe first part, Chamerion, comes from the Greek words for low to the ground, chamai, and oldeander, nerion. Angustifolium is derived from Latin words for narrow, angustus, and leaves, folium. Known…
HAIRY BITTERCRESS (Cardamine hirsuta) How to Identify Hairy Bittercress(Edible) Common namesHairy Bittercress, Lamb’s Cress, Hoary Bittercress, Spring Cress, Flick Weed, Shot Weed Botanical nameCardamine hirsuta Meaning of botanical nameCardamine comes from the Greek Kardamon, meaning cress-like. Hirsuta means hairy, which is in references to the hairs on the leaves of…
Pineapple Weed / Spring / Summer / Edible Pineapple Weed is one of those plants that grows in the most obscure places from cracks in the pavements to walls. However, it tastes like pineapple – how incredible. Common names Pineapple Weed, Wild Chamomile, Disc Mayweed Botanical name Matricaria discoidea Meaning…
PIGNUT (Conopodium majus) How to Identify Pignut(Edible) Common namesPignut, hognut, kippernut, cipernut, arnut, jarnut, hawknut, earth chestnut, groundnut, and earthnut Botanical nameConopodium majus Meaning of botanical nameConopodium means cone-like, with majus meaning larger or bigger Known hazardsConfusion with other members of the Apiaceae family. It is in the same family as…
Chickweed / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible How to Identify Chickweed Common names Common Chickweed, Chickweed Botanical name Stellaria media Meaning of botanical name Stellaria means star-like, while media means in-the-middle or in between Known hazards Contains saponins, which can be poisonous in very large quantities.…
Elder / Summer / Autumn / Edible Elder and Elder flowers are one of the most well-known wild flavours in the UK and they can be found in abundance throughout the hedgerows. Botanical Name Sambucus Nigra Known Hazards All green parts except the buds, flowers and fruit of this plant…
Wood Sorrel / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible How to Identify Wood Sorrel Botanical Name Oxalis spp Family Oxalidaceae Known Hazards This plant contains Oxalic acid, similar to rhubarb, giving it its’ sour taste, if you ingest too much of this acid you can upset your stomach. Saying…
Common Sorrel / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible How to Identify Common Sorrel Botanical Name Rumex acetosa Known Hazards This plant contains Oxalic acid, similar to rhubarb, giving it its’ sour taste, if you ingest too much of this acid you can upset your stomach.…