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. Common Names Clivers, “bort”, bedstraw, goosegrass, catchweed, stickyweed, stickybud, robin-run-the-hedge, sticky willy, sticky willow, stickyjack, stickeljack, and grip grass.…
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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 Scientific…
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…
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. Roots The roots, when crushed, smell similar to cloves Habitat…
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 / 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…
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! Common Names Hogweed, Cow parsnip Botanical Name Heracleum Sphondylium Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Apiales Family – Apiaceae Physical Characteristics of Common…
Hazel / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Common Names Hazel Botanical Name Corylus avellana Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Fagales Family – Betulaceae Physical Characteristics for Hazel The Common hazel is typically found as a shrub reaching 2-8m tall where it’s coppiced, however when it’s…
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 favour of more well-known wild plants, Alexanders is a highly nutritious and flavoursome 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 Common Names Sweet Cicely, cicely, myrrh, garden myrrh, sweet chervil Botanical Name Myrrhis Odorata Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Apiales Family – Apiaceae Physical Characteristics of Sweet Cicely Sweet cicely is a perennial growing to 1m high and 1m…
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. Common…
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…
Columbine / Spring / Summer / Edible Columbine is a common and distinctive garden plant, and is often seen escaping from gardens and springing up in long grass and verges nearby. Its tall, elegantly curved stems grow up to a metre tall, supporting multi-coloured flowers and later rattling seed pods.…
Bog Myrtle/ Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Bog myrtle thrives in acidic boggy conditions, as the name might suggest.. It is found throughout the Northern hemisphere, From Eurasia and Japan to North America. Common Names Sweet gale, Candleberry, Moor myrtle, Botanical Name Myrica gale Scientific Classification Kingdom –…
Daffodil / Spring / Summer / Toxic The Daffodil (Narcissus species) is one of the most recognisable and beloved flowers in the UK, signalling the arrival of spring with its bright yellow and white blooms. Often found in gardens, parks, and even wild landscapes, these cheerful flowers are a symbol…
This three-cornered leek salad is a simple and refreshing side dish with a bit of heat, perfect to accompany Korean fishcakes, grilled meats or rice dishes. Featuring Three-Cornered Leeks, an invasive, non-native species that needs to be kept in check and in my opinion eating them is one of the…
If you’re looking to add a unique twist to your meals, this recipe featuring three-cornered leeks is a fantastic choice. Commonly found in woodlands during spring, three-cornered leeks have a mild garlic flavour that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Here’s how you can incorporate them into a fresh,…
This three-cornered leek sauce recipe is a perfect blend of simplicity and flavour, celebrating the fresh, aromatic taste of three-cornered leeks paired with the warmth of ginger. Infused with sesame oil for an earthy undertone, this dish takes humble sausage meatballs to a whole new level. Ingredients for Three-cornered Leek…
Yellow Brain Fungus / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Yellow Brain Fungus (Tremella mesenterica), also known as Witch’s Butter, is a striking jelly fungus that’s hard to miss with its vibrant, golden-yellow colour and gelatinous, brain-like texture. Found growing on dead and decaying hardwood, especially…
Collared Earthstar / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Inedible The Collared Earthstar (Geastrum triplex) is a truly unique fungus that looks like it’s stepped straight out of a fairy tale. Found in woodlands across the UK, this fascinating mushroom starts as a simple puffball before splitting open into star-like…
Dead man’s fingers / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Dead Man’s Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) is a striking and slightly eerie fungus that earns its name from its unusual appearance. Found growing on decaying hardwood, particularly around tree stumps and buried roots, this fungus resembles blackened, finger-like shapes emerging from…
Corn Salad/ Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Corn Salad (Valeriana locusta), also known as Lamb’s Lettuce, is a mild and tender wild green that has been enjoyed for centuries. Found in grassy areas, meadows, and fields across the UK, this nutritious plant is packed with vitamins and makes…