As an avid forager, I am always on the lookout for ways to utilize the natural resources around me. One of my favorite finds during the autumn season is horse chestnuts, also known as conkers. These shiny nuts may not be edible, but they have a hidden secret – they…
Category: Plants
Wild Strawberry / Spring / Summer / Edible A common sight in woodlands, gardens and parks. It’s a native perennial plant that’s really easy to identify. Common Names Wild Strawberry, Woodland Strawberry, Alpine strawberry, Carpathian strawberry, European strawberry. Botanical Name Fragaria vesca Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Rosales…
Giant Hogweed / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Giant Hogweed is a non-native invasive member of the Carrot family. It’s classed as scarce in the UK but it can be very common in some areas, and is spreading. When fully grown they can reach up to 4.5 metres…
Japanese Quince / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Japanese Quince is a non-native, thorny deciduous shrub, popular in gardens for its attractive flowers and fruit. it is generally quite compact but can grow up to 2 metres tall. Common Names Japanese Quince, Maule’s Quince, Northern Lemon,…
Daisy / All Year Round / Edible An abundant, perennial, wild edible that all of us are familiar with, if only from making ‘daisy bracelets’ as a child. They can be found almost anywhere on any soil type. Common Names Daisy, Common Daisy, Lawn Daisy, English daisy, Bruisewort, Gardeners’ Friend…
Pink Purslane / All Year Round / Edible A common non-native plant. It has a earthy almost beetroot like flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked. Common Names Winter Purslane, Siberian Spring Beauty Botanical Name Claytonia sibirica Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Caryophyllales Family – Montiaceae Physical…
Wild Mustards / Spring / Summer / Edible Wild Mustard can come in many shapes and sizes, there are a couple of different kinds but they all share similar characteristics. You get to a point where you walk past something and say to yourself “well I don’t know exactly what…
Heather / All Year / Edible Common Names Heather/Ling Heather/Scotch Heather Latin Name: Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, E. caerulea – Ericaceae Harvest Season: Best to collect fresh, young (not too woody) flowering tops (leaves and flowers) when the flowers have just bloomed – usually July – October, depending on the…
Mallow / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible A common hedgerow plant. It can be found in many areas of the world. It’s non-native to the UK and was most likely introduced by the Romans. Common Names Mallow, Round Dock, Common Mallow, High Mallow, Cheeses, Custard cheeses, Fairy cheeses,…
Lily of the Valley / Spring / Summer / Toxic A sweetly scented woodland plant. All parts are highly poisonous to humans. It’s not too common in the wild and is mostly found planted in parks and gardens Common Names Lily of the Valley, May bells, Mary’s tears, Our Ladies…