The foraging of ‘wild’ mushrooms, fruits, foliage or flowers growing on any land is permitted by law as long as it’s for your private use and not to be sold on in any form. Trespassing is still applicable on private land; therefore, permission should be sought from the landowner to save being ordered off the land.
It is illegal to uproot any plants on public or private land without the landowners permission.
There are endangered plants that are illegal to forage, Please check the government website - Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Collect only what you need. Leave enough for others, nature and plant reproduction. It is advised to take no more than 10-20% of what the plant has to offer. Foraging plants is a gift from nature that we must be grateful for - be mindful.
Guide to Foraging
Be aware of pollution, try to avoid busy road verges and areas of high industrial pollution. Wash your foraged material.
Poisonous chemicals are frequently used in agriculture - pesticides/insecticides/herbicides & fungicides may be sprayed on fields, often travelling beyond the perimeters. Plants, particularly thistles/nettles tend to droop and turn yellow.Wash your foraged material in clean water.
You must do identification and habitat research. If a plant is growing outside of its normal habitat it may be something else.
foraging wild plants safely
*BEWARE OF POISONOUS LOOK ALIKE PLANTS*
Consuming a poisonous plant can cause death! Edible plants may also become toxic in high doses.
Plant Identification
Tolerance testing
(You must be 100% sure of identification)
Identify the plant correctly using the methods above.
Complete any recommended preparation as detailed in the books.
Perform the chew/spit test:
Rub a small piece of the edible part on the inside of your bottom lip but do not consume it.
Wait at least 60 minutes.
If you have no adverse reaction and feel fine then you can consume (swallow) a small mouthful of the plant.
Wait another 60 minutes to make sure you feel okay.
Slowly increase the amount consumed providing you have no reactions.
This guide to foraging is not definitive, it’s for reference only. Please see below for more information.
Wild garlic - Safe
Lily of the valley - poisonous
To avoid identification mishaps, it’s strongly advised that individuals use at least three reputable books to cross reference the characteristics and habitat of the plants.
Ensure the books have coloured photographs of the plants, preferably with various life stages and of all aerial parts.
Books should include the botanical name and a breakdown of: Characteristics, (Size, colour, texture, fragrance) Distribution, (area location), Habitat, (woodland/wetland/coastal), Seasons (growth/flowers/fruits)
