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Plants of Belgium

BE · 50.50°, 4.47°

We catalogue 127 plants documented in Belgium — 36 native and 91 introduced. Of these, 126 are edible and 62 have medicinal uses.

I

Native species

9

Species naturally occurring in Belgium — best adapted to local climate and soil.

Almond
Almond
Prunus dulcis
ediblemedicinal
Anthriscus cerefolium
Anthriscus cerefolium
Anthriscus cerefolium
edible
Berberis heterophylla
Berberis heterophylla
Berberis heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Bistort
Bistort
Polygonum bistorta
ediblemedicinal
Black Mustard
Black Mustard
Brassica nigra
ediblemedicinal
Bumblebee Orchid
Bumblebee Orchid
Ophrys bombyliflora
edible
Charlock
Charlock
Sinapis arvensis
edible
City goosefoot
City goosefoot
Chenopodium urbicum
edible
Common sheep sorrel
Rumex tenuifolius
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
II

Edible for food + foraging

50

Plants with edible parts documented in Belgium. Always identify positively before harvest.

Menzies' burnet
Menzies' burnet
Sanguisorba menziesii
edible
Mezereon
Mezereon
Daphne mezereum
Rhamnaceaeedible
Milk Vetch
Milk Vetch
Astragalus glycyphyllos
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Narrowleaf Cottonwood
Narrowleaf Cottonwood
Populus angustifolia
ediblemedicinal
Nuphar pumila
Nuphar pumila
Nuphar pumila
edible
Oats
Oats
Avena ludoviciana
Poaceaeedible
Paradise Apple
Paradise Apple
Malus pumila
edible
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Pea
Pea
Pisum sativum
edible
Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
edible
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
ediblemedicinal
Pignut
Pignut
Conopodium majus
edible
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Radish
Radish
Raphanus sativus
ediblemedicinal
Red Dead Nettle
Red Dead Nettle
Lamium purpureum
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Red Dock
Red Dock
Rumex aquaticus
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Rest Harrow
Rest Harrow
Ononis repens
edible
Salad Burnet
Salad Burnet
Sanguisorba minor
edible
Salix acutifolia
Salix acutifolia
Salix acutifolia
Salicaceaeediblemedicinal
Salix decipiens
Salix decipiens
Salix decipiens
Salicaceaeediblemedicinal
Salix x smithiana
Salix x smithiana
Salix x smithiana
ediblemedicinal
Saw Grass
Saw Grass
Cladium mariscus
Cyperaceaeedible
Scotland orache
Scotland orache
Atriplex glabriuscula
edible
Showy Sunflower
Showy Sunflower
Helianthus laetiflorus
ediblemedicinal
Small Reed Mace
Small Reed Mace
Typha angustifolia
Cyperaceaeedible
Smallflower sweetbrier
Smallflower sweetbrier
Rosa micrantha
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Soft Rush
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Juncaceaeedible
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum odoratum
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Cyperaceaeedible
Sunberry
Sunberry
Physalis minima
Solanaceaeedible
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Quercus michauxii
ediblemedicinal
Sweet Briar
Sweet Briar
Rosa rubiginosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Tassel Hyacinth
Tassel Hyacinth
Muscari comosum
edible
Upright Hedge Parsley
Upright Hedge Parsley
Torilis japonica
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Water Milfoil
Water Milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Haloragaceaeedible
Watercress
Watercress
Nasturtium microphyllum
Brassicaceaeedible
Whitewoolly rose
Whitewoolly rose
Rosa tomentosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Wild Angelica
Wild Angelica
Angelica sylvestris
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Wild Oats
Wild Oats
Avena fatua
Poaceaeedible
Wild Thyme
Wild Thyme
Thymus serpyllum
ediblemedicinal
Yellow Archangel
Yellow Archangel
Lamium galeobdolon
ediblemedicinal
Almond
Almond
Prunus dulcis
ediblemedicinal
Anthriscus cerefolium
Anthriscus cerefolium
Anthriscus cerefolium
edible
Berberis heterophylla
Berberis heterophylla
Berberis heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Bistort
Bistort
Polygonum bistorta
ediblemedicinal
Black Mustard
Black Mustard
Brassica nigra
ediblemedicinal
Bumblebee Orchid
Bumblebee Orchid
Ophrys bombyliflora
edible
Charlock
Charlock
Sinapis arvensis
edible
City goosefoot
City goosefoot
Chenopodium urbicum
edible
Common sheep sorrel
Rumex tenuifolius
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
III

Medicinal traditional + clinical

26

Species with documented medicinal applications. See individual plant profiles for evidence + safety.

Milk Vetch
Milk Vetch
Astragalus glycyphyllos
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Narrowleaf Cottonwood
Narrowleaf Cottonwood
Populus angustifolia
ediblemedicinal
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
ediblemedicinal
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Radish
Radish
Raphanus sativus
ediblemedicinal
Red Dead Nettle
Red Dead Nettle
Lamium purpureum
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Red Dock
Red Dock
Rumex aquaticus
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Salix acutifolia
Salix acutifolia
Salix acutifolia
Salicaceaeediblemedicinal
Salix decipiens
Salix decipiens
Salix decipiens
Salicaceaeediblemedicinal
Salix x smithiana
Salix x smithiana
Salix x smithiana
ediblemedicinal
Showy Sunflower
Showy Sunflower
Helianthus laetiflorus
ediblemedicinal
Smallflower sweetbrier
Smallflower sweetbrier
Rosa micrantha
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum odoratum
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Quercus michauxii
ediblemedicinal
Sweet Briar
Sweet Briar
Rosa rubiginosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Upright Hedge Parsley
Upright Hedge Parsley
Torilis japonica
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Whitewoolly rose
Whitewoolly rose
Rosa tomentosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Wild Angelica
Wild Angelica
Angelica sylvestris
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Wild Thyme
Wild Thyme
Thymus serpyllum
ediblemedicinal
Yellow Archangel
Yellow Archangel
Lamium galeobdolon
ediblemedicinal
Almond
Almond
Prunus dulcis
ediblemedicinal
Berberis heterophylla
Berberis heterophylla
Berberis heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Bistort
Bistort
Polygonum bistorta
ediblemedicinal
Black Mustard
Black Mustard
Brassica nigra
ediblemedicinal
Common sheep sorrel
Rumex tenuifolius
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
IV

Introduced naturalized + cultivated

41

Non-native species established in Belgium. Some are valuable; some are invasive. Check each plant's notes.

Menzies' burnet
Menzies' burnet
Sanguisorba menziesii
edible
Mezereon
Mezereon
Daphne mezereum
Rhamnaceaeedible
Milk Vetch
Milk Vetch
Astragalus glycyphyllos
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Narrowleaf Cottonwood
Narrowleaf Cottonwood
Populus angustifolia
ediblemedicinal
Nuphar pumila
Nuphar pumila
Nuphar pumila
edible
Oats
Oats
Avena ludoviciana
Poaceaeedible
Paradise Apple
Paradise Apple
Malus pumila
edible
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Pea
Pea
Pisum sativum
edible
Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
edible
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
ediblemedicinal
Pignut
Pignut
Conopodium majus
edible
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Radish
Radish
Raphanus sativus
ediblemedicinal
Red Dead Nettle
Red Dead Nettle
Lamium purpureum
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Red Dock
Red Dock
Rumex aquaticus
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Rest Harrow
Rest Harrow
Ononis repens
edible
Salad Burnet
Salad Burnet
Sanguisorba minor
edible
Salix acutifolia
Salix acutifolia
Salix acutifolia
Salicaceaeediblemedicinal
Salix decipiens
Salix decipiens
Salix decipiens
Salicaceaeediblemedicinal
Salix x smithiana
Salix x smithiana
Salix x smithiana
ediblemedicinal
Saw Grass
Saw Grass
Cladium mariscus
Cyperaceaeedible
Scotland orache
Scotland orache
Atriplex glabriuscula
edible
Showy Sunflower
Showy Sunflower
Helianthus laetiflorus
ediblemedicinal
Small Reed Mace
Small Reed Mace
Typha angustifolia
Cyperaceaeedible
Smallflower sweetbrier
Smallflower sweetbrier
Rosa micrantha
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Soft Rush
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Juncaceaeedible
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum odoratum
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Cyperaceaeedible
Sunberry
Sunberry
Physalis minima
Solanaceaeedible
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Quercus michauxii
ediblemedicinal
Sweet Briar
Sweet Briar
Rosa rubiginosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Tassel Hyacinth
Tassel Hyacinth
Muscari comosum
edible
Upright Hedge Parsley
Upright Hedge Parsley
Torilis japonica
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Water Milfoil
Water Milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Haloragaceaeedible
Watercress
Watercress
Nasturtium microphyllum
Brassicaceaeedible
Whitewoolly rose
Whitewoolly rose
Rosa tomentosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Wild Angelica
Wild Angelica
Angelica sylvestris
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Wild Oats
Wild Oats
Avena fatua
Poaceaeedible
Wild Thyme
Wild Thyme
Thymus serpyllum
ediblemedicinal
Yellow Archangel
Yellow Archangel
Lamium galeobdolon
ediblemedicinal
V

Could grow here climate-matched · zone selection

24+

Plants that are not yet recorded with a Belgium distribution but match the local hardiness zones. Useful for foragers expanding the catalog and gardeners planning what to plant.

Abyssinian Cabbage
Abyssinian Cabbage
Brassica carinata
Brassicaceaeediblemedicinal
Acer argutum
Acer argutum
Sapindaceaeediblemedicinal
Acer distylum
Acer distylum
Sapindaceaeediblemedicinal
Aconitum heterophyllum
Aconitum heterophyllum
Aconitum heterophyllum
ediblemedicinal
Aconitum multifidum
Aconitum multifidum
Aconitum multifidum
Ranunculaceaeediblemedicinal
Aconitum violaceum
Aconitum violaceum
Aconitum violaceum
ediblemedicinal
Adam's Needle
Adam's Needle
Yucca smalliana
ediblemedicinal
Adenophora denticulata
Adenophora denticulata
Adenophora denticulata
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Adenophora lamarkii
Adenophora lamarkii
Adenophora lamarkii
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Adenophora liliifolia
Adenophora liliifolia
Adenophora liliifolia
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Adenophora remotiflora
Adenophora remotiflora
Adenophora remotiflora
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Adria Bellflower
Adria Bellflower
Campanula portenschlagiana
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Adriatic Bellflower
Adriatic Bellflower
Campanula fenestrellata
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Adriatic Bellflower
Adriatic Bellflower
Campanula garganica
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Aerial Yam
Aerial Yam
Dioscorea bulbifera
ediblemedicinal
Alchemilla alpina
Alchemilla alpina
Alchemilla alpina
ediblemedicinal
Alecost
Alecost
Tanacetum balsamita
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
Aleppo Oak
Aleppo Oak
Quercus infectoria
ediblemedicinal
Aleurites cordata
Aleurites cordata
Aleurites cordata
ediblemedicinal
Aleutian ragwort
Aleutian ragwort
Senecio cannabifolius
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
Alfalfa
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
ediblemedicinal
Aligator Juniper
Aligator Juniper
Juniperus deppeana
Pinaceaeediblemedicinal
Alleghany Blackberry
Alleghany Blackberry
Rubus allegheniensis
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Allegheny Barberry
Allegheny Barberry
Berberis canadensis
ediblemedicinal
V

Frequently asked

How many plants are documented in Belgium?

127 speciess — 36 native and 91 introduced. Of these, 126 are edible and 62 have medicinal uses.

What edible plants grow wild in Belgium?

Common edible species include Amaranthus campestris, Amelanchier confusa, Apple Serviceberry, Arrow Head, Ataco. See the Edible section above for the full list.

What medicinal plants grow in Belgium?

62 medicinal plants catalogued for Belgium, including Black Poplar, Blackberry, Bulbous Buttercup, Burnet Rose, Chinese Artichoke.

How is "native" vs "introduced" determined?

Status comes from TDWG botanical regions via Trefle. Native = naturally occurring there; introduced = brought in by humans, sometimes invasive. Both can be useful, but native species are typically the best fit for local conditions.

VI

Other europe

Andorra
AD
Albania
AL
Austria
AT
Bosnia and Herzegovina
BA
Bulgaria
BG
Belarus
BY
Switzerland
CH
Cyprus
CY
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