Poisonous plants

If you’re unsure about the identification of any plants and, most crucially, whether or not they are poisonous consult a local flora (e.g., https://www.britishflora.co.uk/plants/ https://www.brc.ac.uk/plantatlas/ ). Extreme caution should always be taken before preparing any part of a plant for consumption. The Woodland Trust (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2017/08/foxglove-and-other-poisonous-plants/ ) offers the following advice in cases of accidental poisoning:

·  If you think a child or adult has eaten part of a suspect plant, seek medical advice immediately from a hospital accident & emergency department.

·  Take a sample of the plant with you (as many parts of the plant as you can for accurate identification e.g. leaves, flowers, fruits, stem).

·  Do not panic and do not try to make the person sick.

If in any doubt you can also search for potentially poisonous/toxic plants in the Plants for a Future database at: https://pfaf.org/

See also the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) webpage on poisonous garden plants:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=524

And for pets that might accompany you on foraging trips see the PDSA website: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/all-pets/poisonous-plants

Responsible Foraging

At all times abide by the Countryside Code:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code

and be sure to collect responsibly:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/things-to-do/foraging/

Rare and Endangered Species

Many wild species are protected under European law. Whilst foraging for wild plant foods be mindful of the fact that you will be breaking the law if you pick, cut, uproot, collect, destroy, possess, transport or sell any of the protected species. For further information consult the UK Government guidelines:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protected-plants-protection-surveys-and-licences

and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species:

https://www.iucn.org/theme/species/our-work/plants