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Plants of Switzerland

CH · 46.82°, 8.23°

We catalogue 50 plants documented in Switzerland 0 native and 50 introduced. Of these, 50 are edible and 26 have medicinal uses.

II

Edible for food + foraging

50

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

Catmint
Catmint
Nepeta cataria
ediblemedicinal
Cheat Grass
Cheat Grass
Bromus tectorum
Poaceaeedible
Chenopodium hybridum
Chenopodium hybridum
Chenopodium hybridum
Chenopodiaceaeedible
Chenopodium suecicum
Chenopodium suecicum
Chenopodium suecicum
edible
Chenopodium virgatum
Chenopodium virgatum
Chenopodium virgatum
Chenopodiaceaeedible
Chinese Artichoke
Chinese Artichoke
Stachys affinis
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Common Hemp Nettle
Common Hemp Nettle
Galeopsis tetrahit
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Common Vetch
Vicia sativa
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Crowberry
Crowberry
Empetrum nigrum
edible
Crowfoot
Crowfoot
Coronopus squamatus
ediblemedicinal
Crown Vetch
Crown Vetch
Coronilla varia
Fabaceaeedible
Cruciata laevipes
Cruciata laevipes
Cruciata laevipes
edible
Desert Goosefoot
Desert Goosefoot
Chenopodium pratericola
edible
Dewberry
Dewberry
Rubus caesius
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Eel Grass
Eel Grass
Vallisneria spiralis
Alismataceaeedible
Elecampane
Elecampane
Inula helenium
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
English Elm
English Elm
Ulmus procera
Ulmaceaeediblemedicinal
Eyebright
Eyebright
Euphrasia officinalis
Orobancheaceaeediblemedicinal
Field Garlic
Field Garlic
Allium oleraceum
Alliaceaeediblemedicinal
Fig
Fig
Ficus carica
Moraceaeedible
Flowering raspberry
Flowering raspberry
Rubus parviflorus
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
French Rose
French Rose
Rosa gallica
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Fringed Pink
Fringed Pink
Dianthus superbus
ediblemedicinal
Good King Henry
Good King Henry
Blitum bonus-henricus
ediblemedicinal
Great Burnet
Great Burnet
Sanguisorba officinalis
Rosaceaeedible
Ground Elder
Ground Elder
Aegopodium podagraria
edible
Ground Ivy
Ground Ivy
Glechoma hederacea
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Hairy rockcress
Hairy rockcress
Arabis hirsuta
Brassicaceaeediblemedicinal
Hautbois Strawberry
Hautbois Strawberry
Fragaria moschata
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Hedge Bedstraw
Hedge Bedstraw
Galium mollugo
ediblemedicinal
Himalayan berry
Himalayan berry
Rubus bifrons
ediblemedicinal
Hybrid cattail
Typha glauca
Cyperaceaeedible
Intermediate wheatgrass
Intermediate wheatgrass
Elymus hispidus
Poaceaeedible
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed
Polygonum japonicum
ediblemedicinal
Leafy goosefoot
Leafy goosefoot
Chenopodium foliosum
edible
Lentil
Lentil
Lens culinaris
Fabaceaeedible
Lepidium iberis
Lepidium iberis
Lepidium iberis
Brassicaceaeedible
Marsh Orchid
Marsh Orchid
Dactylorhiza incarnata
Orchidaceaeedible
Marsh Orchis
Marsh Orchis
Orchis laxiflora
Orchidaceaeedible
Marsh Willow Herb
Marsh Willow Herb
Epilobium palustre
Scrophulariaceaeediblemedicinal
Meadow Buttercup
Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus acris
Ranunculaceaeediblemedicinal
Medlar
Medlar
Mespilus germanica
Rosaceaeedible
Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthaceaeediblemedicinal
Menzies' burnet
Menzies' burnet
Sanguisorba menziesii
edible
Mezereon
Mezereon
Daphne mezereum
Rhamnaceaeedible
Milk Vetch
Milk Vetch
Astragalus glycyphyllos
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Nymphaea candida
Nymphaea candida
Nymphaea candida
Nymphaeaceaeedible
Oregon Cut-Leaf Blackberry
Oregon Cut-Leaf Blackberry
Rubus laciniatus
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
edible
III

Medicinal traditional + clinical

26

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

Catmint
Catmint
Nepeta cataria
ediblemedicinal
Chinese Artichoke
Chinese Artichoke
Stachys affinis
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Common Hemp Nettle
Common Hemp Nettle
Galeopsis tetrahit
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Common Vetch
Vicia sativa
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Crowfoot
Crowfoot
Coronopus squamatus
ediblemedicinal
Dewberry
Dewberry
Rubus caesius
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Elecampane
Elecampane
Inula helenium
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
English Elm
English Elm
Ulmus procera
Ulmaceaeediblemedicinal
Eyebright
Eyebright
Euphrasia officinalis
Orobancheaceaeediblemedicinal
Field Garlic
Field Garlic
Allium oleraceum
Alliaceaeediblemedicinal
Flowering raspberry
Flowering raspberry
Rubus parviflorus
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
French Rose
French Rose
Rosa gallica
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Fringed Pink
Fringed Pink
Dianthus superbus
ediblemedicinal
Good King Henry
Good King Henry
Blitum bonus-henricus
ediblemedicinal
Ground Ivy
Ground Ivy
Glechoma hederacea
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Hairy rockcress
Hairy rockcress
Arabis hirsuta
Brassicaceaeediblemedicinal
Hautbois Strawberry
Hautbois Strawberry
Fragaria moschata
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Hedge Bedstraw
Hedge Bedstraw
Galium mollugo
ediblemedicinal
Himalayan berry
Himalayan berry
Rubus bifrons
ediblemedicinal
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed
Polygonum japonicum
ediblemedicinal
Marsh Willow Herb
Marsh Willow Herb
Epilobium palustre
Scrophulariaceaeediblemedicinal
Meadow Buttercup
Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus acris
Ranunculaceaeediblemedicinal
Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthaceaeediblemedicinal
Milk Vetch
Milk Vetch
Astragalus glycyphyllos
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Oregon Cut-Leaf Blackberry
Oregon Cut-Leaf Blackberry
Rubus laciniatus
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
IV

Introduced naturalized + cultivated

50

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

Catmint
Catmint
Nepeta cataria
ediblemedicinal
Cheat Grass
Cheat Grass
Bromus tectorum
Poaceaeedible
Chenopodium hybridum
Chenopodium hybridum
Chenopodium hybridum
Chenopodiaceaeedible
Chenopodium suecicum
Chenopodium suecicum
Chenopodium suecicum
edible
Chenopodium virgatum
Chenopodium virgatum
Chenopodium virgatum
Chenopodiaceaeedible
Chinese Artichoke
Chinese Artichoke
Stachys affinis
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Common Hemp Nettle
Common Hemp Nettle
Galeopsis tetrahit
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Common Vetch
Vicia sativa
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Crowberry
Crowberry
Empetrum nigrum
edible
Crowfoot
Crowfoot
Coronopus squamatus
ediblemedicinal
Crown Vetch
Crown Vetch
Coronilla varia
Fabaceaeedible
Cruciata laevipes
Cruciata laevipes
Cruciata laevipes
edible
Desert Goosefoot
Desert Goosefoot
Chenopodium pratericola
edible
Dewberry
Dewberry
Rubus caesius
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Eel Grass
Eel Grass
Vallisneria spiralis
Alismataceaeedible
Elecampane
Elecampane
Inula helenium
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
English Elm
English Elm
Ulmus procera
Ulmaceaeediblemedicinal
Eyebright
Eyebright
Euphrasia officinalis
Orobancheaceaeediblemedicinal
Field Garlic
Field Garlic
Allium oleraceum
Alliaceaeediblemedicinal
Fig
Fig
Ficus carica
Moraceaeedible
Flowering raspberry
Flowering raspberry
Rubus parviflorus
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
French Rose
French Rose
Rosa gallica
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Fringed Pink
Fringed Pink
Dianthus superbus
ediblemedicinal
Good King Henry
Good King Henry
Blitum bonus-henricus
ediblemedicinal
Great Burnet
Great Burnet
Sanguisorba officinalis
Rosaceaeedible
Ground Elder
Ground Elder
Aegopodium podagraria
edible
Ground Ivy
Ground Ivy
Glechoma hederacea
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Hairy rockcress
Hairy rockcress
Arabis hirsuta
Brassicaceaeediblemedicinal
Hautbois Strawberry
Hautbois Strawberry
Fragaria moschata
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Hedge Bedstraw
Hedge Bedstraw
Galium mollugo
ediblemedicinal
Himalayan berry
Himalayan berry
Rubus bifrons
ediblemedicinal
Hybrid cattail
Typha glauca
Cyperaceaeedible
Intermediate wheatgrass
Intermediate wheatgrass
Elymus hispidus
Poaceaeedible
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed
Polygonum japonicum
ediblemedicinal
Leafy goosefoot
Leafy goosefoot
Chenopodium foliosum
edible
Lentil
Lentil
Lens culinaris
Fabaceaeedible
Lepidium iberis
Lepidium iberis
Lepidium iberis
Brassicaceaeedible
Marsh Orchid
Marsh Orchid
Dactylorhiza incarnata
Orchidaceaeedible
Marsh Orchis
Marsh Orchis
Orchis laxiflora
Orchidaceaeedible
Marsh Willow Herb
Marsh Willow Herb
Epilobium palustre
Scrophulariaceaeediblemedicinal
Meadow Buttercup
Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus acris
Ranunculaceaeediblemedicinal
Medlar
Medlar
Mespilus germanica
Rosaceaeedible
Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthaceaeediblemedicinal
Menzies' burnet
Menzies' burnet
Sanguisorba menziesii
edible
Mezereon
Mezereon
Daphne mezereum
Rhamnaceaeedible
Milk Vetch
Milk Vetch
Astragalus glycyphyllos
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Nymphaea candida
Nymphaea candida
Nymphaea candida
Nymphaeaceaeedible
Oregon Cut-Leaf Blackberry
Oregon Cut-Leaf Blackberry
Rubus laciniatus
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
edible
V

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.

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 garganica
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Adriatic Bellflower
Adriatic Bellflower
Campanula fenestrellata
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Alchemilla alpina
Alchemilla alpina
Alchemilla alpina
ediblemedicinal
Alecost
Alecost
Tanacetum balsamita
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
Aleppo Oak
Aleppo Oak
Quercus infectoria
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
Allegheny Plum
Allegheny Plum
Prunus alleghaniensis
ediblemedicinal
Allium acuminatum
Allium acuminatum
Allium acuminatum
ediblemedicinal
Allium aflatunense
Allium aflatunense
Allium aflatunense
ediblemedicinal
V

Frequently asked

How many plants are documented in Switzerland?

50 speciess — 0 native and 50 introduced. Of these, 50 are edible and 26 have medicinal uses.

What edible plants grow wild in Switzerland?

Common edible species include Catmint, Cheat Grass, Chenopodium hybridum, Chenopodium suecicum, Chenopodium virgatum. See the Edible section above for the full list.

What medicinal plants grow in Switzerland?

26 medicinal plants catalogued for Switzerland, including Catmint, Chinese Artichoke, Common Hemp Nettle, Common Vetch, Crowfoot.

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

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