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 –…
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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…
Yellow False Truffle / Summer / Autumn / Inedible Scientific Name Rhizopogon luteolus Common Names Yellow False Truffle, Family Rhizopogonaceae Habitat They are mycorrhizal and grow just beneath the surface around pine tree. They are more common in the north on sandy soils. Description As the name suggests they are…
Black Truffle / Spring / Winter / Edible Prepare to enter a world of unparalleled gastronomic indulgence as we unravel the secrets of the Black Truffle, scientifically known as Tuber melanosporum. In this blog post, we embark on an extraordinary journey into the realm of culinary opulence, where the unmistakable…
White Truffle / Autumn / Winter / Edible Scientific Name Tuber magnatum Common Names White Truffle, Piedmont truffle, White gold Family Tuberaceae Habitat They are mycorrhizal and grow just beneath the surface near oak, popular, beech and hazel trees. Unfortunately they aren’t found in the UK, they’re famously found in…
Whitish Truffle / Spring / Winter / Edible Scientific Name Tuber borchii Common Names Whitish Truffle, Bianchetto truffle, White Spring truffle Family Tuberaceae Habitat They are mycorrhizal and grow just beneath the surface near oaks and pines. They are very, very rarely found in the UK and are most often…
Slippery Jack / Summer / Autumn / Edible Scientific Name Suillus luteus Common Names Slippery Jack Family Suillaceae Habitat They form mycorrhizal relationships with coniferous trees, most often with Scot Pine (Pinus sylvestris). They are fairly common and sometimes appear in large numbers. Description An edible species but the caps…
Toxic plants and fungi When we think about poisonous plants and fungi what do we mean? A toxic plant is often defined as ‘a plant that when touched or ingested in sufficient quantity can be harmful or fatal to an organism or any plant capable of evoking a toxic and/or…
Wood Avens Syrup Wood Avens (Geum urbanum) are a massively abundant herb in the UK, as the common name suggests it prefers woods but it’s found growing virtually anywhere damp and shady. Although unrelated Wood Avens and Cloves both contain a chemical called eugenol that give both plants their distinctive…
Autumn Truffle / Autumn / Winter / Edible Prepare to be seduced by the captivating allure of the Autumn Truffle, scientifically known as Tuber Uncinatum. In this blog post, we embark on a gourmet adventure, exploring the hidden treasures that lie beneath the forest floor. With its earthy aroma and…