Primrose / Spring / Edible Primrose is one of the first plants to produce edible wild flowers in spring, our favourite thing is to use them as a garnish or to crystallise them for future use. Common names Primrose, Common Primrose, Wild Primrose, English Primrose Botanical name Primula vulgaris Scientific…
Category: Plant identification

Himalayan Balsam / Spring / Summer / Edible Common Names Himalayan Balsam, Indian Balsam, Bobby Tops, Copper Tops, Gnome’s Hatstand, Ornamental Jewelweed, Policeman’s Helmet, Kiss-me-on-the-Mountain Botanical Name Impatiens glandulifera Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Rosales Family – Rosaeae Physical Characteristics for Himalayan Balsam Himalayan Balsam is an incredibly…

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…

Sow Thistle / Spring / Summer/ Autumn / Edible Common names Sow thistle, hare thistle, hare’s lettuce Botanical name Sonchus (genus of several species) Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Asterales Family – Asteraceae Physical Characteristics for Sow Thistle Leaves Looks like a true thistle, but the leaves are much…

Rosebay Willowherb / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Common names Rosebay Willowherb, Fireweed Botanical name Chamerion angustifolium Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Myrtales Family – Onagraceae Physical Characteristics for Rosebay Willowherb Leaves Starts as a rosette of lance-shaped leaves, which then becomes a tall stalk. The leaves…

Hairy Bittercress / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Botanical name Cardamine hirsuta Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Brassicales Family – Brassicaceae Physical Characteristics for Hairy Bittercress Hairy bittercress is a very successful plant and, in the UK, will go through its life cycle several times between…

Pignut / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Common names Pignut, hognut, kippernut, cipernut, arnut, jarnut, hawknut, earth chestnut, groundnut, and earthnut Botanical name Conopodium majus Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Apiales Family – Apiaceae Physical characteristics The Pignut can only be found from Spring to…

Chickweed / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible How to Identify Chickweed Common names Common Chickweed, Chickweed Botanical name Stellaria media Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Caryophyllales Family – Caryophyllaceae Physical Characteristics for Chickweed Forms mats of long (6-9 inches) trailing stems that don’t really gain…