A year in the life of a forager....

[The Big Lebowski]

Recently started foraging in a big way, so I thought I might do a running photo journal as I go along if anyone's interested...
Up to around 15 new edibles in the past fortnight, but I'll post new images as I take them
It is not intended as a reference guide. It is merely a general visual guide. Books are your friends!

Two for starters...

Spoon leaf scurvy grass-Cochlearia anglica. Coastal mud flats-Traditionally used to prevent... scurvy! Slight mustard powder taste.

Velvet shank-Flammulina velutipes. Damp woodland- Stem feels like antler velvet. Good eating.

 

[xylaria]

Cool. never tried survey grass, looks tasty.

 

[lannyman8]

oooooooh STICKEY please...

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Hey Al have you thought of doing it as a blog. Looking forward to more of this.

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Cool

I'm not going to have time for a blog sadly at the mo... My days start at 10am and finish at 2am Wish I had taken the camera out last week now, but bear with me!

 

[Stringmaker]

Great thread idea; +1 for a sticky.

About the only wild edible I know is sheep sorrell.

 

[malente]

10am? I am envious...

I'll be following this with interest!

Cheers

 

[bushcraftmyway]

sticky, please?

 

[Ivan...]

Great idea Al ! We can add some Dartmoor finds at the end of March , us will go on a wander .

Don't forget to wipe that mouse poo off the velvet shank !

+ 3 for sticky .

Ivan...

 

[Passer]

Really looking forward to this.
Hoping for lots of ideas.
Thanks for taking the time and trouble.

 

[The Big Lebowski]

No problems... It ties in with me having a dabble at photography, building up my own database and sharing stuff.

I'll be back out with the camera Tuesday as I'm visiting family this weekend, cheers, al.

 

[FelixAvery]

great idea for a thread! maybe it would be hijacking but perhaps other foragers could join in adding their own pics of interesting edibles?

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Sure... Its an open forum

Common/sheep sorrel-Rumex acetosa. Open pasture. Tastes like granny smith apple peels.

Jews ear-Auricularia auricula-judae. Prefers elder. Makes a great pickled mushroom! (steam for 10 mins or until soft before pickling)

Wild chervil (young cow parsley)-Anthriscus sylvestris. Country lanes-Prolific (be aware of hemlock water dropwort) good with mash/fish.

More tomorrow...

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Some coastal stuff...

Sea beet/spinach-Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima. Salt marshes. Steam or eat tender shoots raw.

Alexanders-Smyrnium olusatrum. Coast to a few miles inwards. Acquired taste, I like it.
The spring shoots (cotyledon) are great in salad.

Ribwort Plantain-Plantago lanceolata. Prolific. Go for the young, tender shoots. Average but edible.

Charlock- Sinapis arvensis. Your garden!- Prolific (be aware of ragwort) tastes like cabbage heart.

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Another few today... Some mushrooms soon hopefully.

Yarrow-Achillea millefolium. Open grasslands. Amazing herb http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillea_millefolium

Pennywort-Umbilicus rupestris (formerly Cotyledon umbilicus). Embankments/walls. Succulent. Great in wild salad.

 

[Ichneumon]

Pennywort aka Navelwort. Yum yum! Taste a lot like uncooked garden peas. One of my favourites.

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Few more today...

Chickweed-Stellaria media. Really like the taste of this. (Be aware of Scarlet Pimpernel)

Horseradish-Armoracia rusticana. Now this stuff packs a punch

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Few more... St Georges mushrooms any time now

Common mallow-Malva neglecta. Deep fried to make a type of crisp or used traditionally in Molokhia soup/broth.

Hairy Bittercress-Cardamine hirsuta. Not actually bitter (or hairy) more very mild green peppercorn. Nice.

Sea Plantain-Plantago maritima. Tastes like garden pea shell. Found on salt marsh in abundance.

 

[The Big Lebowski]

New one today...

Ground Elder-Aegopodium podagraria. Tastes like sweet celery leaves. Introduced by the Romans (as was parsley of alexander)
Taken on a bridal path on the edge of woodlands.

 

[BATMAN]

Very interesting post, keep it up.