Category: Plants

Foraging in Sussex The deep south of the country provides a really interesting and varied foraging location. There is variety and abundance all through the year and often certain things will even thrive in winter due to the slightly milder temperatures experienced in Sussex.  There are some great finds to…

Botanical Name Fraxinus excelsior Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Lamiales Family – Oleaceae Physical Characteristics Stems Light grey bark, that fissures with age, the stems are smooth with distinctive black buds, which are arranged in opposite pairs.    Leaves Large compound leaves, up to 40 cm long, are…

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Wild Carrot / Summer / Autumn / Edible   Common Names Wild Carrot, Queen Anne’s Lace, Birds nest. Botanical name Daucus Carota Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Apilaes  Family – Apiaceae Physical Characteristics for Wild Carrot Leaves The leaves are tri-pinnate, finely divided, lacy and triangular in shape. The…

  Dog’s Mercury / Spring / Summer / Toxic Common Names Dog’s Mercury, Dog’s Cole Botanical Name Mercurialis Perennis Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Malpighiales  Family – Euphorbiaceae Physical Characteristics for Dog’s Mercury  Leaves Green, single leaves, lanceolate in shape which are serrated. Flowers Male flowers grow up a…

Wild Raspberry / Summer / Autumn / Edible  Common Names Raspberry, hindberry. Botanical Name Rubus Idaeus Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Rosales Family – Rosaceae Physical Characteristics for Wild Raspberry Leaves Raspberry has compound leaves which have 5-7 serrated leaflets. They are bright silver on the underside. Flowers The…

Common Lime / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Common Names Common lime, European Lime, Linden. Botanical Name Tilia x Europaea Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Malvales Family – Malvaceae Physical Characteristics for Lime  Stems/Bark Young trees have grey/brown smooth bark which becomes more gnarled over time. Suckers…

Flowering Currant / Spring / Summer / Edible Common Names Flowering Currant Botanical Name Ribes sanguineum Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Saxifragales Family – Grossulariaceae Physical Characteristics for Flowering Currant Leaves It has palmately lobed leaves that give off a sweet herbal aroma when crushed. Flowers The flowers…

Mahonia / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Common Names Mahonia, Oregon Grape, Holly -leaved barberry Botanical Name Mahonia Aquifolium Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Rununculaes Family – Berberidaceae Physical Characteristics for Mahonia Leaves Pinnate leaves up to 30cm long, each leaf is made up of…