Winter is not the barren landscape you might think - here just some of the edible wild plants growing in Britain this season that could make their way into your repertoire. 


HAIRY BITTERCRESS

Hairy Bittercress

Taste: Mild peppery taste that is similar to rocket / When: From January / Where: Path-edges, walls, and even in with pot-grown plants

CHICKWEED LEAVES

Chickweed Leaves

Taste: Fresh, grassy / When: Throughout winter / Where: Fields and on forest floors

WOOD AVENS/ HERB BENNET

Herb Bennet

Taste: Subtle cloves / When: From January / Where: Woodland edges/near hedgerows

GORSE

Gorse

Taste: Almond like taste / When: Flowers throughout winter / Where: Moorlands and sandy soils

GROUND ELDER

Ground Elder

Taste: Mild lemon/ parsley flavour / When: From January / Where: Graveyards, woodlands, hedgerows and gardens

ALEXANDERS

Alexandras

Tastes: Like celery / When: From February / Where: Coastal hedgerows

NETTLES

Nettles

Taste: Like spinach / When: February / Where: Everywhere

NAVELWORT

Navelwort

Taste: Like peas / When: Throughout winter / Where: Cracks in damp walls

SWEET VIOLET
Sweet Violet

Taste: Slightly tart / When: From February / Where: Hedgerows and edges of woodlands

WILD GARLIC
Wild Garlic

Taste: Garlic / When: From February / Where: Woodland floors, often near bluebells

VELVET SHANK MUSHROOMS
Velvet Shank Mushroom

Taste: Sweet, mealy / When: December–March / Where: Found clustered on decaying wood (especially elm and oak)