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…
Journal
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 (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 flavour. One of…
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…
Summer Truffle / Summer / Edible Scientific Name Tuber aestivum Common Names Summer Truffle, Family Tuberaceae Habitat They are mycorrhizal and grow just beneath the surface near oaks, birch, beech and hazel. They are more common in the south but they have been found as far north as the Peak…
Fig / Summer / Autumn / Edible Fig is a non-native small tree or large shrub with edible fruit and leaves. Originally from the Mediterranean and Asia, it has been grown in the UK since the 16th century. Common Names Fig, Adriatic Fig, Symrna Fig Botanical Name Ficus carica Scientific…
Ladies Mantle / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Ladies Mantle is a really easy to recognise plant, it can be eaten but it’s mostly used as a herbal medicine. It’s an herbaceous, perennial plant. That’s native to the UK, there are over 200 subspecies of Alchemilla vulgaris in…
Weeping Bolete / Summer / Autumn / Edible Scientific Name Suillus granulatus Common Names Weeping Bolete, Granulated bolete. 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 Part of the wider…
Damsons / Summer / Autumn / Edible Damsons are a common shrub with edible plum-like fruits. Closely related to Sloes, Bullaces and Greengages. Common Names Damsons, Damson Plum Botanical Name Prunus domestica subspecies insititia, or sometimes Prunus insititia Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Rosales Family – Rosaceae Physical…
Douglas Fir / All year round / Edible Douglas fir is a large, naturalised, fast growing, evergreen tree. It was bought to the UK in 1827 by the botanist David Douglas, whom it’s named after. It’s considered the best tasting edible conifer. They typically look like a Christmas tree…