Wild Asparagus / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Wild Asparagus is a flowering, perennial member of the Asparagus family, it was once fairly common but due to changes in land use and management it’s in serious decline and is on the GB Red list for endangered species. Common…
Category: Plant identification
Watercress / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Watercress is a fast growing, aquatic member of the Cabbage family. It’s very nutritious, easy to ID and edible. Common Names Watercress, Yellow cress, Poor Man’s Bread Botanical Name Nasturtium officinale Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Brassicales Family –…
Ragwort / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Ragworts (Senecio species) are very common throughout the UK, the most common variety in the UK is Jacobaea vulgaris but they are all toxic. Common Names Ragwort, Common ragwort, Stinking Willy, Tansy ragwort, St. James-wort, Stinking nanny, Staggerwort, Cankerwort, Stammerwort. Botanical…
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…
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…