Shepherds Purse / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Shepherds Purse is a tasty, native, annual member of the mustard family. The common name comes from the shape of the seed pods which look like old fashioned purses. It’s very common – in fact it’s the world’s 2nd most…
Tag: summer
Spear Thistle / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Spear Thistle is a native, biannual member of the Daisy family.  It’s massively common and the stems can be used as a celery substitute. Common Names Spear Thistle, Bull Thistle, Scotch Thistle Botanical Name Cirsium vulgare Scientific Classification Kingdom –…
Ground Ivy / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Ground Ivy is one of Britain’s most common plants, it’s not a true Ivy but a member of the Mint family and it can be used as a substitute for Thyme, Mint or Rosemary. It’s an evergreen, ground…
Wild Asparagus / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Wild Asparagus is a flowering, perennial member of the Asparagus family, it was once fairly common but due to changes in land use and management it’s in serious decline and is on the GB Red list for endangered species. Common…
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 –…
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…
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…
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. Â 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…