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Plants of United Kingdom

GB · 55.38°, -3.44°

We catalogue 131 plants documented in United Kingdom — 38 native and 93 introduced. Of these, 130 are edible and 70 have medicinal uses.

I

Native species

7

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

Almond
Almond
Prunus dulcis
ediblemedicinal
Apple Rose
Apple Rose
Rosa villosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Black Mustard
Black Mustard
Brassica nigra
ediblemedicinal
Bumblebee Orchid
Bumblebee Orchid
Ophrys bombyliflora
edible
Common sheep sorrel
Rumex tenuifolius
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Taraxacum officinale
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
II

Edible for food + foraging

50

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

Milk Vetch
Milk Vetch
Astragalus glycyphyllos
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Ostrich Fern
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
edible
Oxalis lasiandra
Oxalis lasiandra
Oxalis lasiandra
edible
Paradise Apple
Paradise Apple
Malus pumila
edible
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
edible
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
ediblemedicinal
Picea glauca
Picea glauca
Picea glauca
edible
Pignut
Pignut
Conopodium majus
edible
Polygonum microcephalum
Polygonum microcephalum
Polygonum microcephalum
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Polygonum runcinatum
Polygonum runcinatum
Polygonum runcinatum
ediblemedicinal
Polygonum sibiricum
Polygonum sibiricum
Polygonum sibiricum
ediblemedicinal
Polygonum weyrichii
Polygonum weyrichii
Polygonum weyrichii
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Red Dead Nettle
Red Dead Nettle
Lamium purpureum
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Rest Harrow
Rest Harrow
Ononis repens
edible
Rock Cress
Rock Cress
Arabis lyrata
Brassicaceaeedible
Rock Samphire
Rock Samphire
Crithmum maritimum
Apiaceaeedible
Rock Spiraea
Rock Spiraea
Holodiscus dumosus
edible
Rosa dumalis
Rosa dumalis
Rosa dumalis
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Russian Tarragon
Russian Tarragon
Artemisia dracunculoides
ediblemedicinal
Salad Burnet
Salad Burnet
Sanguisorba minor
edible
Saw Grass
Saw Grass
Cladium mariscus
Cyperaceaeedible
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
Soft Rush
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Juncaceaeedible
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum odoratum
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Cyperaceaeedible
Spike Trisetum
Spike Trisetum
Trisetum spicatum
Poaceaeedible
Sweet Briar
Sweet Briar
Rosa rubiginosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Toothed Bur-Clover
Toothed Bur-Clover
Medicago polymorpha
ediblemedicinal
Typha minima
Typha minima
Typha minima
edible
upland blackberry
upland blackberry
Rubus pergratus
ediblemedicinal
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 Thyme
Wild Thyme
Thymus serpyllum
ediblemedicinal
Yellow Archangel
Yellow Archangel
Lamium galeobdolon
ediblemedicinal
Almond
Almond
Prunus dulcis
ediblemedicinal
Apple Rose
Apple Rose
Rosa villosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Black Mustard
Black Mustard
Brassica nigra
ediblemedicinal
Bumblebee Orchid
Bumblebee Orchid
Ophrys bombyliflora
edible
Common sheep sorrel
Rumex tenuifolius
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Taraxacum officinale
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
III

Medicinal traditional + clinical

29

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

Milk Vetch
Milk Vetch
Astragalus glycyphyllos
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
ediblemedicinal
Polygonum microcephalum
Polygonum microcephalum
Polygonum microcephalum
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Polygonum runcinatum
Polygonum runcinatum
Polygonum runcinatum
ediblemedicinal
Polygonum sibiricum
Polygonum sibiricum
Polygonum sibiricum
ediblemedicinal
Polygonum weyrichii
Polygonum weyrichii
Polygonum weyrichii
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Red Dead Nettle
Red Dead Nettle
Lamium purpureum
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Rosa dumalis
Rosa dumalis
Rosa dumalis
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Russian Tarragon
Russian Tarragon
Artemisia dracunculoides
ediblemedicinal
Scarlet Haw
Scarlet Haw
Crataegus pedicellata
ediblemedicinal
Showy Sunflower
Showy Sunflower
Helianthus laetiflorus
ediblemedicinal
Smallflower sweetbrier
Smallflower sweetbrier
Rosa micrantha
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum odoratum
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Sweet Briar
Sweet Briar
Rosa rubiginosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Toothed Bur-Clover
Toothed Bur-Clover
Medicago polymorpha
ediblemedicinal
upland blackberry
upland blackberry
Rubus pergratus
ediblemedicinal
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
Apple Rose
Apple Rose
Rosa villosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Black Mustard
Black Mustard
Brassica nigra
ediblemedicinal
Common sheep sorrel
Rumex tenuifolius
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
Crataegus heterophylla
ediblemedicinal
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Dandelion - Kukraundha
Taraxacum officinale
Asteraceaeediblemedicinal
IV

Introduced naturalized + cultivated

43

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

Milk Vetch
Milk Vetch
Astragalus glycyphyllos
Fabaceaeediblemedicinal
Ostrich Fern
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
edible
Oxalis lasiandra
Oxalis lasiandra
Oxalis lasiandra
edible
Paradise Apple
Paradise Apple
Malus pumila
edible
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Pastinaca sativa
Apiaceaeediblemedicinal
Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
edible
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
Phytolacca esculenta
ediblemedicinal
Picea glauca
Picea glauca
Picea glauca
edible
Pignut
Pignut
Conopodium majus
edible
Polygonum microcephalum
Polygonum microcephalum
Polygonum microcephalum
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonum molle
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Polygonum runcinatum
Polygonum runcinatum
Polygonum runcinatum
ediblemedicinal
Polygonum sibiricum
Polygonum sibiricum
Polygonum sibiricum
ediblemedicinal
Polygonum weyrichii
Polygonum weyrichii
Polygonum weyrichii
Polygonaceaeediblemedicinal
Red Dead Nettle
Red Dead Nettle
Lamium purpureum
Lamiaceaeediblemedicinal
Rest Harrow
Rest Harrow
Ononis repens
edible
Rock Cress
Rock Cress
Arabis lyrata
Brassicaceaeedible
Rock Samphire
Rock Samphire
Crithmum maritimum
Apiaceaeedible
Rock Spiraea
Rock Spiraea
Holodiscus dumosus
edible
Rosa dumalis
Rosa dumalis
Rosa dumalis
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Russian Tarragon
Russian Tarragon
Artemisia dracunculoides
ediblemedicinal
Salad Burnet
Salad Burnet
Sanguisorba minor
edible
Saw Grass
Saw Grass
Cladium mariscus
Cyperaceaeedible
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
Soft Rush
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Juncaceaeedible
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum odoratum
Liliaceaeediblemedicinal
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Sparganium erectum
Cyperaceaeedible
Spike Trisetum
Spike Trisetum
Trisetum spicatum
Poaceaeedible
Sweet Briar
Sweet Briar
Rosa rubiginosa
Rosaceaeediblemedicinal
Toothed Bur-Clover
Toothed Bur-Clover
Medicago polymorpha
ediblemedicinal
Typha minima
Typha minima
Typha minima
edible
upland blackberry
upland blackberry
Rubus pergratus
ediblemedicinal
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 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 United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom?

131 speciess — 38 native and 93 introduced. Of these, 130 are edible and 70 have medicinal uses.

What edible plants grow wild in United Kingdom?

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

What medicinal plants grow in United Kingdom?

70 medicinal plants catalogued for United Kingdom, including Arctic Bramble, Bayberry, Black Poplar, Blackberry, Bulbous Buttercup.

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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