Reedmace is a foragers dream as it is one of the few wild plants that provide food all year long and is easily identified by its distinctive chocolate-brown cigar shaped seed heads. They grow in shallow loch sides and slow flowing water.
Sea Radish (Raphanus maritimus) can provide a steady supply of tasty and free greens throughout the year. It thrives on poor ground, so keep your eye on sandy soil, shaley beaches and espepecially seaside road verges…
Most people can easily recognise mussels, but not many harvest and eat them from the wild. This is largely due to fears over pollution and poisoning. While it is true that all filter feeders should be treated with caution, a little care and effort will minimise the risk and allow you to enjoy this superb wild food.
Catching and eating razor clams, or spoot clams as we call them in Scotland is pretty much the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Here is the lowdown on where, when and how to catch them – and what to do with them when you do…
If you want to develop your knowledge of edible wild plants then spring is the time. Lots of interesting species begin their year’s growth and if you can spot them early and monitor their development you will gain a really good feel for how they grow. Things are also easier to spot at this time of year, before everything starts clambering, sprawling and entwining. Also, if you don’t catch some of these plants now, you will have to wait until next spring to have another go at them!