Recent Hedgerow Finds

[Adam Savage]

Yesterday, during a short walk along a hedgerow (en-route to the woods), I came across a few wild edibles, and some other wild plants, of which I'm not sure about.
Here are the ones I know to be edible.

Sloe berries...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3574.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3572.jpg

Hawthorn...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3562.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3561.jpg

Red Clover (as pointed out by Woodwose and Jonnyp)...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3560.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3559.jpg

Bindweed (as identified by JonnyP)...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3563.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3565.jpg

And I also found a common Ash (I know they aren't edible, but thought I'd include the image anyway)...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3569.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3567.jpg

And here are the ones I am not sure about...

Identified as Willowherb, by Woodwose and JonnyP...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3556.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3558.jpg

And...

Identified as Yellow Vetchling/Meadow Vetchling, by Woodwose and JonnyP...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3553.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/IMGP3555.jpg

Any information would be much appreciated. (Thanks for the help)

Thanks

Adam

[Woodwose]

Sloe berries are still green here.
Do you mean Clover, can't see Burdock. You can pickle Ash keys, know idea what they taste like.
http://www.eatweeds.co.uk/pickled-ash-keys

That looks like Rosebay willow herb. Last one is a yellow vetchling, I think.

[JonnyP]

As mentioned, your burdock is actually Red Clover. (White clover there too)
Your dogrose is actually Bindweed..
The next one down is a Willowherb and the bottom one looks like Meadow Vetchling.

Next to the Willowherb can be seen some Horsetail..

[Adam Savage]

Thanks guys. I think I may have put the wrong picture up for the burdock lol. I shall remember Bindweed, I honestly thought it was a Dogrose. Also thanks for letting me know what the last two were too. I asked everyone around here, what they might be.
This is the benefit of having Ash's forum, to draw on people in the know, like yourselves.
I shall edit the original post (with mentions :)).
Thanks again fellas.
Adam

[Adam Savage]

Here's the real Burdock...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/23072011895.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/23072011893.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/23072011894.jpg

[JonnyP]

Thats the one.. Cut a stem of Burdock in half, and if its solid inside, its Greater Burdock. If its hollow, its Lesser Burdock. Good useful plant that..

[Adam Savage]

Thats the one.. Cut a stem of Burdock in half, and if its solid inside, its Greater Burdock. If its hollow, its Lesser Burdock. Good useful plant that..

Found some more of it while I was out today. Until this year I hadn't seen any within 100 miles if my area. Would love to sample the root, but have yet to find some on land I can actually dig up (legally), with the permission of the landowner.

[luresalive]

Good finds and good pictures, thats exactly what its all about and what we like to see!!

[Adam Savage]

Just uploaded yesterdays photos to photobucket. Here are the finds...

Blackberries (aka brambles) finally starting to ripen well...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/16082011941.jpg

More Burdock, that I came across yesterday too...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/16082011964.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/16082011963.jpg

(IMPORTANT) I believe these to be Porcelain mushrooms, which are edible, but don't take my word for (I have a history of being wrong lol)...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/16082011959.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/16082011958.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/16082011957.jpg

Now the definitely non-edibles...

Everyone knows these, King Alfreds cakes (aka cramp balls)...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/16082011944.jpg

And, as often found, fallen to the ground, near to the fallen Ash...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Plants%20and%20trees/16082011945.jpg

Last but not least, again, not sure what these are. I thought they were club footed funnel caps, but I don't think they are...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/16082011948.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/16082011947.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/16082011946.jpg

As usual, any help with identification of the fungi would be much appreciated.

Adam

[Ichneumon]

I don't think they're Porcelain fungus Adam. See here: http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/porcelain-fungus:oudemansiella-mucida-photo-12691.html
It's difficult to tell from your pictures. You saw them up close and personal so maybe I'm wrong. I don't have an alternative suggestion as to what they are though.

Paul

[Adam Savage]

I don't think they're Porcelain fungus Adam. See here: http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/porcelain-fungus:oudemansiella-mucida-photo-12691.html
It's difficult to tell from your pictures. You saw them up close and personal so maybe I'm wrong. I don't have an alternative suggestion as to what they are though.

Paul

They do normally have more of a shine to them, I agree. I shall look into any other possibilities mate. Thanks for taking the time to look though.

Oh, and are you joining us at Dartmoor 2nd-4th September? Ivan's holding another meet.

Adam

[Ichneumon]

Only wild horses with a very bad attitude will keep me away! :)

BTW: I confirm JonnyP's identification of the Meadow Vetch and Willowherb - Rosebay willowherb to be exact. It's important to distinguish it from Great willowherb and Broadleaved Willowherb cos it's the only one that's edible (to my knowledge). Oh, and the bindweed is Field bindweed - pink not white.

See you at Ivan's.

Paul

[Adam Savage]

Only wild horses with a very bad attitude will keep me away! :)

BTW: I confirm JonnyP's identification of the Meadow Vetch and Willowherb - Rosebay willowherb to be exact. It's important to distinguish it from Great willowherb and Broadleaved Willowherb cos it's the only one that's edible (to my knowledge). Oh, and the bindweed is Field bindweed - pink not white.

See you at Ivan's.

Paul

Thanks for the extra info Paul. Just been out to take more photos of that fungi. They are uploading as I type so will post the pics asap.

Will hopefully be heading to Ivan's this weekend, will see if I can find something interesting and with any luck it won't be raining for the meet lol. See you there buddy.

Adam

[Adam Savage]

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/IMGP3731.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/IMGP3730.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/IMGP3732.jpg

As you can see in the second picture, they are dropping spores.

[Ichneumon]

How about Pleurotus cornucopiae?

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pleurotus_cornucopiae

Paul

[Adam Savage]

How about Pleurotus cornucopiae?

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pleurotus_cornucopiae

Paul

I'm not too sure. The actual fungi in the flesh, were very, very white. Most images and descriptions of Pleurotus cornucopiaeare brown (although the ones in your link are more white than brown), so it's a tough one to call. It's easy to see why you need to really know your stuff, before you go picking and eating the things.

You are more than likely correct though. Especially with the photo on this page (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2011-06-30_Pleurotus_cornucopiae_5_70824.jpg).

[Bushwhacker]

Ash keys are edible.
Pick them whilst they're still green, blanche them and pickle them.

[Ichneumon]

Yeah! Think I'll stick to wild plant identification, you know what you're putting in your mess tin with them. The bally fungi are much too complicated and could have lethal results.

If it's any consolation (to both of us) I showed your picture to a friend of mine who fancies himself as a bit of a mycologist and he couldn't identify them either.

Paul

[Adam Savage]

Ash keys are edible.
Pick them whilst they're still green, blanche them and pickle them.

Thanks mate. Woodwose mentioned eating the keys. Not sure if I would try it though, doesn't seem too appetising to me lol.

Oh and should be heading down to Devon tomorrow, so should be joining you for the cider festival near your's. Will have a word with Ive again when I see him, and probably give you a call.


Yeah! Think I'll stick to wild plant identification, you know what you're putting in your mess tin with them. The bally fungi are much too complicated and could have lethal results.

If it's any consolation (to both of us) I showed your picture to a friend of mine who fancies himself as a bit of a mycologist and he couldn't identify them either.

Paul

Least it's not just us haha. There are only a few fatal fungi about in Britian, but around 90% taste bad, make you feel ill, upset the guts, sting a bit, etc, but rarely kill (which is lucky), still not a great idea to allow yourself to suffer at all.

[Bushwhacker]

Oh and should be heading down to Devon tomorrow, so should be joining you for the cider festival near your's. Will have a word with Ive again when I see him, and probably give you a call.

Bring plenty of bandages, you'll need 'em after a few pints of screech.

[Adam Savage]

I have a motorist first aid kit, that should cope with a small train derailment...I'll add more bandages...lol

[MikeWilkinson]

Been away on hols so only just seen this, though I'd add my bit - For the Rosebay willow herb, split open and the white pith, either add to soups and salads, or dry out and make into a type of flour.

The Vetch is edible, but only really the seed out of the pods. It is related to the Broad bean, only eat them whilst the pod is still green, Most of the Pea family contain toxins that increase in concentration the older they get. Due to this only eat in moderation, a bit like sorrel in that respect. I love them as a little hedgerow nibble as I walk.

[Adam Savage]

Been away on hols so only just seen this, though I'd add my bit - For the Rosebay willow herb, split open and the white pith, either add to soups and salads, or dry out and make into a type of flour.

The Vetch is edible, but only really the seed out of the pods. It is related to the Broad bean, only eat them whilst the pod is still green, Most of the Pea family contain toxins that increase in concentration the older they get. Due to this only eat in moderation, a bit like sorrel in that respect. I love them as a little hedgerow nibble as I walk.

Thanks for the info Mike. I think I'll be avoiding the vetch, knowing my lack of observational skills with regards to age, etc. LOL

[Realearner]

Just found this on here, and found it most enlightening. Having just got into this seriously I love this whole site and the info you can get from it.
Thanks to Ashley for it's creation and thanks to all the knowledge from it's subscribers. Learning every time I log on.

[Adam Savage]

Just found this on here, and found it most enlightening. Having just got into this seriously I love this whole site and the info you can get from it.
Thanks to Ashley for it's creation and thanks to all the knowledge from it's subscribers. Learning every time I log on.

That's what I love so much about the site. Always learning. You're absolutely right, Ash has done a wonderful job with the site and provided a great knowledge base and place for "us lot" to have a natter with like minded folk. :)

[Woodwose]

Adam, the last fungi pics after the cramp balls are Dryad's saddle by the looks of them.

[Adam Savage]

Adam, the last fungi pics after the cramp balls are Dryad's saddle by the looks of them.

I think you're right mate. Thanks for pointing that out. I found some chicken of the woods, while I was down Dorset for the cider festival.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/19082011970.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/fungi%20and%20animal%20evidence/19082011971.jpg

[Adam Savage]

Sorry for the poor photos, they were taken on my mobile.

[Metal mug]

Sorry for the poor photos, they were taken on my mobile.They're good by my standard. :)

[Adam Savage]

They're good by my standard. :)

Why thank you kind sir.

[Ichneumon]

Saw this one the weekend before last on a trip to the Lake District:

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc460/Ichneumon50/Bushcraft/P8060357.jpg

I also met this little fella just down the road:

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc460/Ichneumon50/Bushcraft/P8060379.jpg

Needless to say he was not destined for my stewpot. One of his grey cousins better watch out though! :)

Paul

[Adam Savage]

Saw this one the weekend before last on a trip to the Lake District:

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc460/Ichneumon50/Bushcraft/P8060357.jpg

I also met this little fella just down the road:

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc460/Ichneumon50/Bushcraft/P8060379.jpg

Needless to say he was not destined for my stewpot. One of his grey cousins better watch out though! :)

Paul

You're lucky to have seen that little fella. Great photos Paul.

[JonnyP]

Nice pic of a Red Squirrel

[Ichneumon]

Thanks guys, actually my mate took the picture of the Red - it was on his side of the car, I took the one of the Sulphur Polypore.

We were surprised, bowled over actually, to see how many Reds there were around. They were also very tame.

Another very pleasing and surprising thing was the official MoT roadsigns in the areas where the Reds were: Red Squirrels - Please drive slowly. These signs were cautionary, informative and accurate. See a sign = see a Red. Unlike the warning signs for deer.

Paul