π
Chicken of the woodsLaetiporus sulphureus
At peak
Bright brackets on oak and other broadleaves
β Never from yew or eucalyptus; always cook well.
πΈ
ElderflowerSambucus nigra
At peak
Hedgerows, scrub and gardens
β Elder smells sweet and musky; check for the white pith in young twigs.
πΌ
Linden blossomTilia cordata
At peak
Parks and avenues; pick fresh, open flowers
πΏ
Ribwort plantainPlantago lanceolata
At peak
Paths, meadows and lawns
π
Wild cherryPrunus avium
At peak
Woodland edges and parks; the birds race you
πΏ
Wild mintMentha arvensis
At peak
Streamsides, ditches and damp meadows
πΉ
Wild rose petalsRosa canina
At peak
Hedgerows and scrub
π
Wild strawberryFragaria vesca
At peak
Sunny woodland edges and banks
πΈ
Wild thymeThymus serpyllum
At peak
Dry, sunny banks and short grassland
πΏ
YarrowAchillea millefolium
At peak
Dry meadows and verges
β Carrot-family lookalikes: crushed leaves smell herbal and bitter.
π
ChanterelleCantharellus cibarius
In season
Mossy conifer and beech woods
β Lookalikes: false chanterelle and toxic jack-o'-lantern.
πΏ
ChickweedStellaria media
In season
Gardens, fields and disturbed ground, almost year-round
β Check the single line of hairs along the stem.
πΏ
Common sorrelRumex acetosa
In season
Grassland and meadows
β Oxalic acid: enjoy in moderation. Toxic lookalike: lords-and-ladies.
πΌ
DandelionTaraxacum officinale
In season
Meadows, lawns and verges almost everywhere
πΏ
Garlic mustardAlliaria petiolata
In season
Hedgerows and woodland edges
πΏ
Ground elderAegopodium podagraria
In season
Gardens, parks and shady hedgerows; best young
β Carrot-family lookalikes exist: check the triangular, grooved leaf stem.
πΌ
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria
In season
Wet meadows and riverbanks
β Contains salicylates: avoid with aspirin allergy.
π
MorelMorchella esculenta
In season
Ash woods, old orchards and disturbed ground in spring
β Deadly lookalike: false morel. Always cook morels thoroughly.
π
Shaggy ink capCoprinus comatus
In season
Lawns, verges and disturbed soil
β Eat young and fresh, the same day you pick it.
π²
Spruce tipsPicea abies
In season
Fresh bright-green tips on spruce in spring
β Never confuse with yew: yew is deadly poisonous.
π±
Stinging nettleUrtica dioica
In season
Rich soils: field edges, riverbanks, disturbed ground
π§
WatercressNasturtium officinale
In season
Clean, flowing streams
β Liver-fluke risk near livestock: cook if unsure. Lookalike: fool's watercress.
πΈ
Wild marjoramOriganum vulgare
In season
Chalky grassland and warm, sunny edges
π
Wild raspberryRubus idaeus
In season
Clearings, woodland edges and upland scrub
βοΈ
Wood sorrelOxalis acetosella
In season
Shady woodland floors and mossy logs
β Oxalic acid: small amounts only.
π«
BilberryVaccinium myrtillus
From August
Heaths, moors and open conifer woods
π«
BlackberryRubus fruticosus
From August
Hedgerows, waste ground and woodland edges
π
Field mushroomAgaricus campestris
From August
Pastures and lawns after rain
β Deadly lookalike: destroying angel. Yellow stainer bruises bright yellow.
βͺ
Giant puffballCalvatia gigantea
From August
Meadows and pastures
β Slice it: the flesh must be pure white throughout.
π
Parasol mushroomMacrolepiota procera
From August
Grassland and open woods
β Only with a snakeskin-patterned stem; avoid small parasol lookalikes.
π
PorciniBoletus edulis
From August
With spruce, pine, beech and oak
β Bitter bolete ruins the pan; devil's bolete is toxic.
π
Wild plum & mirabellePrunus domestica
From August
Old hedgerows and orchard edges
Get the exact timing for your spot
This calendar shows typical windows for your area. The Forage app computes the season for your exact location from over 3 billion data points, live weather and elevation, then pings you the moment a species on your watchlist comes into season.