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Plants of France

FR · 46.23°, 2.21°

We catalogue 179 plants documented in France — 50 native and 129 introduced. Of these, 178 are edible and 89 have medicinal uses.

I

Native species

21

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

Almond
Almond
Prunus dulcis
ediblemedicinal
Almond-leaved pear
Almond-leaved pear
Pyrus amygdaliformis
Rosaceaeedible
Anthriscus cerefolium
Anthriscus cerefolium
Anthriscus cerefolium
edible
Berberis heterophylla
Berberis heterophylla
Berberis heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Black Mustard
Black Mustard
Brassica nigra
ediblemedicinal
Brassica balearica
Brassica balearica
Brassica balearica
Brassicaceaeediblemedicinal
Charlock
Charlock
Sinapis arvensis
edible
Common sheep sorrel
Rumex tenuifolius
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Taraxacum officinale
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
Dog's Cabbage
Dog's Cabbage
Theligonum cynocrambe
edible
Duke Cherry
Duke Cherry
Prunus x gondouinii
ediblemedicinal
European wild pear
European wild pear
Pyrus pyraster
edible
Fir Clubmoss
Fir Clubmoss
Lycopodium selago
edible
Golden-chain tree
Golden-chain tree
Laburnum anagyroides
Fabaceae
Grey Birch
Grey Birch
Betula populifolia
edible
Hordeum intermedium
Hordeum intermedium
Hordeum intermedium
Poaceaeedible
Italian Honeysuckle
Italian Honeysuckle
Lonicera caprifolium
edible
Japanese Emperor Oak
Japanese Emperor Oak
Quercus dentata
Fagaceaeediblemedicinal
Jersey Cudweed
Jersey Cudweed
Gnaphalium luteoalbum
edible
Keeled-Fruited Cornsalad
Keeled-Fruited Cornsalad
Valerianella carinata
edible
II

Edible for food + foraging

49

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

Scarlet Haw
Scarlet Haw
Crataegus pedicellata
ediblemedicinal
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
Smilax aspera
Smilax aspera
Smilax aspera
ediblemedicinal
Snakehead Fritillary
Snakehead Fritillary
Fritillaria meleagris
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Soft Rush
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Juncaceaeedible
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum odoratum
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Cyperaceaeedible
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Quercus michauxii
ediblemedicinal
Sweet Briar
Sweet Briar
Rosa rubiginosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
thicket dewberry
thicket dewberry
Rubus permixtus
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Toothed Bur-Clover
Toothed Bur-Clover
Medicago polymorpha
ediblemedicinal
Tormentil
Tormentil
Potentilla erecta
ediblemedicinal
Tritonia crocata
Tritonia crocata
Tritonia crocata
edible
Tulipa montana
Tulipa montana
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Typha minima
Typha minima
Typha minima
edible
Upright Hedge Parsley
Upright Hedge Parsley
Torilis japonica
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Water Milfoil
Water Milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Haloragaceaeedible
Watercress
Watercress
Nasturtium microphyllum
Brassicaceaeedible
White Melilot
White Melilot
Melilotus albus
ediblemedicinal
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
Winged Pigweed
Winged Pigweed
Cycloloma atriplicifolium
edible
Yellow Archangel
Yellow Archangel
Lamium galeobdolon
ediblemedicinal
Yellow Bristle Grass
Yellow Bristle Grass
Setaria pumila
Poaceaeedible
Almond
Almond
Prunus dulcis
ediblemedicinal
Almond-leaved pear
Almond-leaved pear
Pyrus amygdaliformis
Rosaceaeedible
Anthriscus cerefolium
Anthriscus cerefolium
Anthriscus cerefolium
edible
Berberis heterophylla
Berberis heterophylla
Berberis heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Black Mustard
Black Mustard
Brassica nigra
ediblemedicinal
Brassica balearica
Brassica balearica
Brassica balearica
Brassicaceaeediblemedicinal
Charlock
Charlock
Sinapis arvensis
edible
Common sheep sorrel
Rumex tenuifolius
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Taraxacum officinale
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
Dog's Cabbage
Dog's Cabbage
Theligonum cynocrambe
edible
Duke Cherry
Duke Cherry
Prunus x gondouinii
ediblemedicinal
European wild pear
European wild pear
Pyrus pyraster
edible
Fir Clubmoss
Fir Clubmoss
Lycopodium selago
edible
Grey Birch
Grey Birch
Betula populifolia
edible
Hordeum intermedium
Hordeum intermedium
Hordeum intermedium
Poaceaeedible
Italian Honeysuckle
Italian Honeysuckle
Lonicera caprifolium
edible
Japanese Emperor Oak
Japanese Emperor Oak
Quercus dentata
Fagaceaeediblemedicinal
Jersey Cudweed
Jersey Cudweed
Gnaphalium luteoalbum
edible
Keeled-Fruited Cornsalad
Keeled-Fruited Cornsalad
Valerianella carinata
edible
III

Medicinal traditional + clinical

27

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

Scarlet Haw
Scarlet Haw
Crataegus pedicellata
ediblemedicinal
Showy Sunflower
Showy Sunflower
Helianthus laetiflorus
ediblemedicinal
Smallflower sweetbrier
Smallflower sweetbrier
Rosa micrantha
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Smilax aspera
Smilax aspera
Smilax aspera
ediblemedicinal
Snakehead Fritillary
Snakehead Fritillary
Fritillaria meleagris
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
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
thicket dewberry
thicket dewberry
Rubus permixtus
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Toothed Bur-Clover
Toothed Bur-Clover
Medicago polymorpha
ediblemedicinal
Tormentil
Tormentil
Potentilla erecta
ediblemedicinal
Tulipa montana
Tulipa montana
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Upright Hedge Parsley
Upright Hedge Parsley
Torilis japonica
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
White Melilot
White Melilot
Melilotus albus
ediblemedicinal
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
Black Mustard
Black Mustard
Brassica nigra
ediblemedicinal
Brassica balearica
Brassica balearica
Brassica balearica
Brassicaceaeediblemedicinal
Common sheep sorrel
Rumex tenuifolius
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Taraxacum officinale
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
Duke Cherry
Duke Cherry
Prunus x gondouinii
ediblemedicinal
Japanese Emperor Oak
Japanese Emperor Oak
Quercus dentata
Fagaceaeediblemedicinal
IV

Introduced naturalized + cultivated

29

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

Scarlet Haw
Scarlet Haw
Crataegus pedicellata
ediblemedicinal
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
Smilax aspera
Smilax aspera
Smilax aspera
ediblemedicinal
Snakehead Fritillary
Snakehead Fritillary
Fritillaria meleagris
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Soft Rush
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Juncaceaeedible
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum odoratum
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Cyperaceaeedible
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Quercus michauxii
ediblemedicinal
Sweet Briar
Sweet Briar
Rosa rubiginosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
thicket dewberry
thicket dewberry
Rubus permixtus
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Toothed Bur-Clover
Toothed Bur-Clover
Medicago polymorpha
ediblemedicinal
Tormentil
Tormentil
Potentilla erecta
ediblemedicinal
Tritonia crocata
Tritonia crocata
Tritonia crocata
edible
Tulipa montana
Tulipa montana
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Typha minima
Typha minima
Typha minima
edible
Upright Hedge Parsley
Upright Hedge Parsley
Torilis japonica
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Water Milfoil
Water Milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Haloragaceaeedible
Watercress
Watercress
Nasturtium microphyllum
Brassicaceaeedible
White Melilot
White Melilot
Melilotus albus
ediblemedicinal
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
Winged Pigweed
Winged Pigweed
Cycloloma atriplicifolium
edible
Yellow Archangel
Yellow Archangel
Lamium galeobdolon
ediblemedicinal
Yellow Bristle Grass
Yellow Bristle Grass
Setaria pumila
Poaceaeedible
V

Could grow here climate-matched · zone selection

24+

Plants that are not yet recorded with a France 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 France?

179 speciess — 50 native and 129 introduced. Of these, 178 are edible and 89 have medicinal uses.

What edible plants grow wild in France?

Common edible species include Amaranthus campestris, Amaranthus graecizans, Amaranthus polygamus, Amaranthus polystachyus, Amaranthus tenuifolius. See the Edible section above for the full list.

What medicinal plants grow in France?

89 medicinal plants catalogued for France, including Amaranthus graecizans, Azarole, Blackberry, Bulbous Buttercup, Catmint.

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
Belgium
BE
Bulgaria
BG
Belarus
BY
Switzerland
CH
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