Native species
42Species naturally occurring in Switzerland — best adapted to local climate and soil.
Edible for food + foraging
49Plants with edible parts documented in Switzerland. Always identify positively before harvest.
Medicinal traditional + clinical
24Species with documented medicinal applications. See individual plant profiles for evidence + safety.
Introduced naturalized + cultivated
8Non-native species established in Switzerland. Some are valuable; some are invasive. Check each plant's notes.
Could grow here climate-matched · zone selection
24+Plants that are not yet recorded with a Switzerland distribution but match the local hardiness zones. Useful for foragers expanding the catalog and gardeners planning what to plant.
Frequently asked
How many plants are documented in Switzerland?
50 speciess — 42 native and 8 introduced. Of these, 49 are edible and 24 have medicinal uses.
What edible plants grow wild in Switzerland?
Common edible species include Almond, Berberis heterophylla, Bumblebee Orchid, Charlock, City goosefoot. See the Edible section above for the full list.
What medicinal plants grow in Switzerland?
24 medicinal plants catalogued for Switzerland, including Almond, Berberis heterophylla, Common sheep sorrel, Crataegus heterophylla, Dandelion - Kukraundha.
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.
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