Cleavers / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Everything you need to safely identify the edible and medicinal Cleavers or Sticky Weed (Gallium Aparine) before heading out to forage some. Scientific Name Gallium aparine Family Rubiaceae Also known as Clivers, “bort”, bedstraw, goosegrass, catchweed, stickyweed, stickybud, robin-run-the-hedge, sticky willy,…
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Darwins Barberry (Berberis darwinii) How to Identify Darwins Barberry Edible Scientific NameBerberis darwinii FamilyBerberidaceae Also known asMmichay, calafate, and quelung. HabitatNative to southern Chile and Argentina and naturalized elsewhere. Moist shady woodland in the Patagonian mountains. Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge; DescriptionIt is an evergreen thorny shrub growing…
GROUND ELDER (Aegopodium podagraria) How to Identify Ground Elder(Edible) Common namesGround Elder, Bishop’s Weed, Goutweed, Gout Wort, Snow-in-the-Mountain, English Masterwort, Wild Masterwort Botanical nameAegopodium podagraria Meaning of botanical nameFrom the Greek Aigos for “goat” and podo meaning foot. The second part of the name is Latin and is another reference…
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 crystalise them for future use. Common names Primrose, Common Primrose, Wild Primrose, English Primrose Botanical name Primula vulgaris Meaning…
Himalayan Balsam / Spring / Summer / Edible Himalayan Balsam is an incredibly invasive species that is often found spreading up riverside edges, however, it’s also a brilliant edible and has edible, leaves, shoots flower & seeds.. Common names Himalayan Balsam, Indian Balsam, Bobby Tops, Copper Tops, Gnome’s Hatstand, Ornamental…
Wood Avens, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Edible Wood Avens are one of those plants we walk over and past every time we go through a woodland, it’s amazing to learn the roots taste like cloves. Uncertain Could be confused with Water Avens (Geum rivale), and wild strawberries (Fragaria), but the…
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…
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…
Stinging Nettles / Spring/ Summer / Autumn/ Edible Stinging nettles are a plant that we’ve all been stung by at some point and, as such, have learned how to safely identify. Botanical Name Urtica dioica Known Hazards Stinging nettles are well known for the burning sensation they give if handled…
Silver Birch (Betula pendula) How to Identify Silver Birch Edible Botanical Name:Betula pendula Known Hazards:The tar present in the bark of this tree has been recorded as causing skin irritation, there’s also reference to an insect that feeds on the sap of the silver birch leaves exuding a chemical called…
Hogweed / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Common Hogweed doesn’t sound like an edible plant, but it is and it’s one of my favourites! Botanical Name Heracleum Sphondylium Known Hazards A mild case of photo-phyto-dermatitis can be caused by touching the raw juice of this plant and,…
Hazel (Corylus avellana) How to Identify Hazel Edible Botanical Name: Corylus avellana Known Hazards: N/A Could be confused with: Other species in the Corylus family, of which are similarly used. Linden Tree (Tilia) which has a similar leaf structure but grows to a huge size and doesn’t produce hazel nuts…
Hawthorn / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Hawthorn is one of those plants that often blurs the line between medicine and food, it’s used for helping to regulate the heart and blood pressure, both for high and low blood pressure, but it can also be used in many…
Alexanders / spring / summer / autumn / winter / edible Welcome to our guide on Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum), a fascinating and versatile wild edible that deserves a place in every forager’s repertoire. Often overlooked in favor of more well-known wild plants, Alexanders is a highly nutritious and flavorsome addition…
The Prince/ Summer / Autumn / Edible Indulge in the regal flavors of the Prince Mushroom (Agaricus augustus) as we embark on a culinary journey celebrating this esteemed delicacy. Join us in savoring the unique delights offered by nature’s culinary masterpiece. With its distinguished appearance and captivating aroma, the Prince…
Dandelion / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Dandelion is one of the UK’s most prolific weeds and most of us have spent some time digging this one up out of the garden, kicking and swearing at it. But if we look at it slightly differently it could help…
Cherry / Spring / Autumn / Edible Cherry trees are found in almost every town, village and city within the UK & they have edible parts in spring and autumn. Botanical Name Prunus Cerasus Family Rosaceae Known Hazards Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs…
Blackberry / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Through this piece we’re going to take a deep dive into everything blackberry, often an overlooked fruit by us foragers because it’s too main stream. A bit like when you loved a band more before you could hear them on radio…
Sweet Cicely / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible How to Identify Sweet Cicely Botanical Name Myrrhis Odorata Could be confused with Cows Parsley (Anthriscus Sylvestris) very easily, the leaves are almost identical although Sweet Cicely leaves are a little softer to touch, the flower bunches of Sweet Cicely…
Bilberries / Summer / Edible Bilberry Foraging is one of the first I ever did as a child, they go by many names such as whimberries, whortleberries, blaeberries & Wild Blueberries. They are beautiful wild ingredients and well worth hiking up to higher altitudes to find and enjoy. Botanical…
Japanese Knotweed / Spring / Summer / Edible Japanese Knotweed is an incredibly invasive plant, but it has an amazing rhubarb flavour which we can use in cooking. Botanical Name: Fallopia japonica Known Hazards: Oxalic acid and oxalates are mild nephrotoxic acids that are abundantly present in the stem and…
Crowberry / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Foraging for wild edibles can be a delightful and rewarding experience, especially when you stumble upon lesser-known gems like the wild crowberry. Known scientifically as Empetrum nigrum, this hardy berry thrives in the cool, temperate climates of the UK, offering a…
Bruising Webcap / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Bruising Webcap (Cortinarius purpurascens) is a captivating and somewhat enigmatic mushroom tha is found primarily in coniferous and mixed woodlands across Europe and North America, this mushroom is distinguished by its striking colour changes upon handling. The Bruising Webcap…
Blue Roundhead / Summer / Autumn / Inedible The Blue Roundhead (Stropharia caerulea) is a captivating with its striking blue-green hues. Commonly found in grassy areas, woodchips, and leaf litter across Europe and North America, this eye-catching fungus stands out due to its vivid colouration and distinctive round cap. The…
Birch Woodwart / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Birch Woodwart (Jackrogersella multiformis) is.found predominantly on dead or decaying birch trees, this fungus is notable for its dark, warty fruiting bodies that can vary in shape and size. Often mistaken for lumps of coal or charred…
Blushing Bracket / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Blushing Bracket (Daedaleopsis confragosa) is a fascinating and attractive polypore mushroom that has unique coloration and intricate patterns. Commonly found on decaying hardwood trees and fallen branches across Europe and North America, this mushroom is renowned for…
White Domecap / Summer / Autumn / Toxic The White Domecap (Leucocybe connata) is an intriguing and distinctive mushroom that captivates fungi enthusiasts and foragers with its pristine, white appearance and unique growth habits. Found in clusters on decaying wood and leaf litter in deciduous and mixed forests across Europe…
Purple Loosestrife / Spring / Summer / Edible Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a striking perennial plant that captures attention with its tall, vibrant spikes of magenta flowers. Originally native to Europe and Asia, this hardy species has spread across the UK and other parts of North America, often…
Blackening Brittlegill / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Blackening Brittlegill (Russula nigricans) is found predominantly in deciduous and mixed woodlands across Europe and North America, this mushroom stands out due to its dramatic colour transformation from white to black as it ages. The Blackening Brittlegill features brittle, white gills that…
Tawny Funnel / Summer / Autumn / Edible The Tawny Funnel is a captivating mushroom, with its tawny-colored cap and delicate gills, is a common sight in woodlands, grassy areas, and gardens during the autumn months. Its distinctive funnel-shaped cap and earthy aroma make it a fascinating subject for mushroom…
Orange Peel fungus / Summer / Autumn / Edible Orange Peel Fungus is a visually striking fungus, reminiscent of discarded orange peel bits, it’s a common sight in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America during the summer and autumn months. From its distinct cup-like appearance to its vibrant orange…