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When Common Becomes Rare: The 2025 Red List

You assume plant conservation means saving exotic cliff rarities. The 2025 Red List (five years, 30 million records, 1,720 species assessed), reveals something more unsettling. It’s not mountain endemics vanishing. It’s Campanula rotundifolia (Harebell), down 44%. Briza media (Quaking-grass), now Vulnerable. Thymus drucei (Wild Thyme), officially threatened. These aren’t rarities; …

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Red List 2025: Vulnerable Species

Taxon Vernacular Name Threat Category Actaea spicata Baneberry VU Aira caryophyllea Silver Hair-grass VU Aira praecox Early Hair-grass VU Alchemilla acutiloba Starry Lady’s-mantle VU Alchemilla filicaulis subsp. vestita Hairy Lady’s-mantle VU Alchemilla glomerulans Clustered Lady’s-mantle VU Alchemilla xanthochlora Intermediate Lady’s-mantle VU Allium sphaerocephalon Round-headed Leek VU Alopecurus aequalis Orange Foxtail …

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Red List 2025: Critically Endangered Species

Taxon Vernacular Name Threat Category Alisma gramineum Ribbon-leaved Water-plantain CR Arabis alpina Alpine Rock-cress CR Armeria maritima subsp. elongata Tall Thrift CR Atriplex pedunculata Pedunculate Sea-purslane CR Buglossoides arvensis Field Gromwell CR Carex cespitosa Scarce Tufted-sedge CR Carum carvi Caraway CR Cephalanthera rubra Red Helleborine CR Cicerbita alpina Alpine Blue-sow-thistle …

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Red List 2025: Endangered species

Taxon Vernacular Name Threat Category Adonis annua Pheasant’s-eye EN Ajuga chamaepitys Ground-pine EN Alchemilla falsadenta False toothed Lady’s-mantle EN Alchemilla mebii Margaret’s Lady’s-mantle EN Alchemilla micans Shining Lady’s-mantle EN Alchemilla monticola Velvet Lady’s-mantle EN Alchemilla neomanifesta Revealed Lady’s-mantle EN Alchemilla sciura Cairnwell Lady’s-mantle EN Alchemilla subcrenata Large-toothed Lady’s-mantle EN Anthemis …

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Black horehound

If you’ve ever walked past a plant that initially looked like it was a stinging nettle or maybe a dead nettle, and then when you got closer you realised it wasn’t, you may well have met black horehound (Ballota nigra). When gathered and crushed, it has a scent many find …

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Fire Cider: A Spicy Tonic for Winter Days

There’s something wonderfully unruly about fire cider. While others reach for neat rows of supplements, this folk remedy remains unapologetically unrefined. It’s a jar of vinegar turned fiery with horseradish, ginger, garlic, and whatever else strikes your fancy. This preparation originates with American herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, who created it decades …

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Food and medicine plants of Thailand

Aristolochia labiosa (possibly A. tagala)ดอกกำลังวัวเถลิง (Dok Kamlang Wua Thaloeng), AristolochiaClimbing herb used in Thai medicine for vitality. Barringtonia racemosaต้นจิก (Ton Chik), Freshwater Mangrove / Fish Killer TreeFlowers and fruits used in herbal preparations; grows near water. Carica papayaมะละกอย่าน (Malako Yan), PapayaFruits eaten ripe; unripe fruit and leaves used medicinally. Centella asiaticaใบบัวบก (Bai …

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What’s the difference?

There are two main options for learning about wild plants: Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants of Britain and Ireland (The Yellow Book) The Seasonal Trilogy (Forage in Spring/Summer/Autumn) Which to choose? You can browse the books in my shop.

Are the plants in my country

People often ask if the plants in my foraging books grow in their country. You can use the links below to check. All the plants listed are included in my book Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants of Britain and Ireland. Click here to see the difference between the books. Forage …

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You’re paying for dead food.

That’s what supermarket vegetables are. Picked weeks ago. Shipped thousands of miles. Sitting in plastic, losing nutrients by the hour. And the average household is dropping £80 a week for the privilege.

Meanwhile? Your front garden is growing food that’s actually alive.

Here’s what nobody tells you about wild plants. When you eat them, really eat them. Fresh and just-picked. You’re not just consuming nutrients. You’re integrating the landscape into your body. The soil. The rain. The sunlight. All of it becomes you.

Last week, my daughter made soup for the grandkids from nettles she had gathered that morning. Still warm from the sun. One hour from ground to bowl. And she said she tasted the neighbourhood in that soup. The oak trees that shade those nettles. The river that waters them. The whole ecosystem.

That’s not nutrition. That’s alchemy. One form of life becoming another. You becoming part of the place you live.

Your supermarket can’t offer that. No matter how much you pay.

What if your food could actually connect you to where you live? What if eating wasn’t just fuelling your body, but participating in something older and wilder than any supply chain?

It can be. The food’s already there. Growing free. Waiting.

When did you last eat something truly alive?

Natural mirrors

Today, I want you to find a plant that tells a story about its survival. All plants adapt to their environment, as all humans adapt to their environment. Maybe the plant you find has waxy surfaces that help it conserve water. Its flexible stems might let it bend in strong …

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Rotational foraging

Foraging near rivers provides a rich variety of life. Many plants grow well in or around water. Some are aquatic, while others grow along riverbanks and in wetland areas. A classic example is the prolific riverside plant himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). Yet, foraging in these areas has risks, mainly due …

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How to avoid dog pee

A reader asked me recently. ‘How safe is it to forage in cities?’ It is an important question and one that needs to be taken seriously. Most folks cite dog pee as a problem, to which I reply that it is not just dogs but a whole host of animals, …

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From drug addiction to wild wellbeing

I started foraging after my publishing company collapsed. The Cold War had ended, and certain gentlemen found themselves unemployed, so I published their wannabe James Bond know-how. And it got me in a lot of trouble with the American government. Lesson learned. Don’t take on an empire and expect a …

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Forest floor tea

I published an essay on making tea with birch twigs a few days ago. A reader named Rev emailed me, ‘Hi Robin, this silver birch twig tea is an absolute winner.’ Thanks, Rev. I’m glad it worked for you. So, in keeping with the theme of brewing a nice cuppa, …

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A cup of twig tea

During the recent cold weather, I gathered silver birch twigs from outside my local police station, under the constabulary’s watchful eye. I took those twigs home, uncertain about what to do with them. And as is often the case, I keep them within easy reach when I am flummoxed by …

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A frost resistant edible green

Today, I had to take some of my books to the post office. I live in a city, and waiting for a bus takes longer than walking. So today, I walked—walked through the frost—if one can walk through frost. That may not be the right expression. Whenever I walk, I …

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Plants, minimalism and purpose

I found a note I saved months ago while archiving old data that was cluttering my computer. Before I continue, I need to fess up to something. I am a lifestyle minimalist. At least, I like to think I am. Friends have called me a material anorexic. Clutter messes with …

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Eat something wild every day

Frank Cook was my plant mentor. He’s the reason you are reading these words. The reason he kicked me out of the door in 2008 and told me to start teaching people the plant knowledge. He’s also the reason I try to forage for something every day. Some days, I …

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Whenever an elder dies, a library burns down

I was recently reminded of this ancient African proverb. I was speaking with a village healer in an almost deserted mountain village in the Peloponnese Region of Greece. She’s the last person in her community who knows the traditional uses of their local plants. When she passes, centuries of plant …

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The tale of Ash

I am Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), an ancient guardian of the woods. My roots plunge into Earth’s memories, as deep as my crown reaches for heaven’s whispers. Humans have known me as the Venus of the Forest for centuries. I wear my beauty with the quiet dignity of one who has …

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The tale of Sea Buckthorn

I am sea buckthorn, and I have watched humans come and go along these coastal dunes for centuries. My thorny branches protect clusters of bright orange berries that glow like tiny suns against my silvery leaves. The ancient Greeks named me Hippophae – “shining horse” – believing I made their …

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The tale of Sowthistle

I am Sowthistle, standing resilient in the November chill. While most plants have scattered their seeds to the wind, I persist in protected corners and along sunny walls, offering tender young leaves even as frost threatens. My hollow stem still carries its milky sap – a reminder of why farmers …

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Elderberry glycerite shrub

Vegetable glycerine has a very low glycemic index of just 3. In comparison, sucrose (table sugar) has a medium glycemic index of 65. By using glycerine instead of alcohol or sugar, we create a low-glycemic index tonic that’s both medicinal and delicious. The addition of warming spices and tangy cider …

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Nature’s quiet corners

Nature’s quiet corners hold profound truths. Look beyond the flashy and grand. Humble dandelions and silent moss speak volumes. Watch how water shapes stone over time. See how fungi connect forest life unseen. The ordinary teems with wisdom. It’s in the dirt under your nails and the dew on the …

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Alexanders

Contents — Introduction— Description— Habitat and distribution— Introduction Alexanders has a fascinating past, used as food and medicine since Roman times. Once called “parsley of Alexandria,” people grew this herb in gardens for years. But then celery became more popular. Even so, Alexanders still grows near the sea today. What …

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Start with familiar plants

Begin your plant journey with species familiar from childhood, such as dandelions or stinging nettle. Develop an intimate knowledge of one plant before expanding your repertoire.  Study its growth patterns, seasonal changes, and various uses. This focused approach builds a solid foundation for broader plant knowledge. Get the weekly digest …

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Practicing mindful interaction with plants

Cultivate a mindful presence when interacting with plants in nature.  Slow down your movements and quiet your mind. Focus on the present moment, observing the plant’s details without judgment.  This practice boosts perception and connects us to nature. Get the weekly digest >>

Sensory plant identification

Embrace an integrated approach to plant identification by engaging all your senses, not just sight. Encounter a plant and become completely absorbed in the experience. Touch its leaves, smell its aroma, and taste a small part if it is safe. This sensory method deepens your connection and understanding of the …

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Better than potatoes

Silverweed, Potentilla anserina. A perennial plant in the Rosaceae family. It is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. It produces carbohydrate-rich, nutritious storage roots. Worldwide, cultures, including those in the British Isles and North America, ate silverweed roots. As a carb, they surpass even potatoes. The plant has important medicinal properties. …

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Ancient rowan tree folklore and magic

The rowan tree holds a revered place in folklore across Europe. Ancient Norse myths tell of the god Thor being saved from drowning by grasping a rowan branch. Celts believed rowan could ward off evil spirits and witches. They planted it near homes for protection and made protective amulets from …

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The magic of gorse

Home > Plants > Gorse British and Irish folklore prominently features Gorse with its bright yellow flowers. People believed its prickly nature warded off evil spirits and fairies. On May Day, people would hang gorse wreaths on doors to protect against witches. In Ireland, wearing a piece of blessed Gorse was thought to prevent …

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Traveller’s-joy, Old Man’s Beard

Traveller’s-joy, Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba) is a climbing plant. It adorns hedgerows and shrubs across Europe. Many admire its white flowers and feathery seed heads.  This plant also has a lesser-known history of use in cooking. From ancient Roman times to now, people have written about and enjoyed eating …

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Japanese Cherry

Common name Sakura cherry, Japanese cherry, Ornamental cherry Scientific name Prunus serrulata Lindl. Family Rosaceae Botanical description Sakura cherry is a deciduous tree that typically grows 20-40 feet tall with a spreading, rounded crown. The bark is smooth and grey, becoming fissured with age. Leaves are simple, alternate, ovate to …

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Camellia

Common name Common camellia, Japanese camellia, tsubaki Scientific name Camellia japonica L. Family Theaceae Botanical description Camellia japonica is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 10 meters tall. It has alternately arranged, simple, glossy, dark green leaves with serrated margins. The flowers are large, showy, …

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Sweet Flag

Acorus calamus, commonly known as Sweet flag is a plant typically found in marginal water areas, wetlands, alongside ponds, and in marshy areas. It favours moist, boggy sites and can be found in various regions across the British Isles, thriving in the wet, mild climate. The tender core of young …

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Common amaranth

Introduction Amaranthus retroflexus, known as common amaranth, is in the Amaranthaceae family. There are numerous species of amaranth in the British Isles. The BSBI Plant Atlas lists twelve species, and the genus was introduced most likely during the 1700s. I remember first paying attention to amaranth when I explored plants …

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Scots Pine

Despite its common name, writes Peter Wyse Jackson, Scots Pine is not only found in its native Scotland but across northern Europe and as far as Siberia and Asia. It is also naturalised in North America, Canada and New Zealand. In Ireland, where pine populations have waxed and waned, the …

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Rock Samphire

Rock Samphire has been regularly consumed as part of a traditional Mediterranean diet. It’s time to bring this delicious vegetable back into our kitchens and dining rooms. Since ancient times Rock Samphire, also known as Sea Fennel, has been extolled as fine food. One Greek legend mentioned it as one …

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Hazel

“Hazel was one of the first trees to colonise the land after the end of the last Ice Age,” writes Gabrielle Hatfield, “and for a great period of time it would have been one of the most abundant tree species.” Little wonder the hazel tree has become deeply entrenched in …

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Sea Purslane

Sea Purslane is a slow-growing shrub belonging to the goosefoot family and found in salt marshes and muddy beaches. Its thick, succulent leaves have a crunchy texture and are flavoured by the natural saltiness of the sea. Atriplex is one of the names the Roman physician Pliny (23–79AD) gave to plants …

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Himalayan balsam

The transportation of seeds or whole plants is an offence under the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 in England and Wales and Section 14AA of the Wildlife and Countryside Act in Scotland. This means that no seeds or plants should be removed from the site where they …

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Orpine

Introduction Orpine is from the Latin verb sedeo, which means to sit. A reference to how the plant squats on rocks etc. The species name comes from Telephus who was the son of Heracles and Auge in Greek mythology. The name Orpine comes from a yellow arsenic sulfide known as …

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Lady’s-smock (Cuckooflower)

As the cuckoo calls in late spring and early summer, so the cuckooflower’s conspicuous blooms start to appear. Cardamine pratensis was also known as ‘water cuckoo’ or ‘wet cuckoo’, because the plant grew in damp places. Its less flattering nickname of ‘cuckoo’s spit’, which referred to the foam covering a pale …

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Black mustard

Introduction Black mustard is an intrepid plant that has trekked its way across the world and is now cultivated in many countries including England, France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Holland, Finland, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, China, India, South Africa, and in the Middle East. The plant is thought to have …

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Oxeye Daisy

A familiar sight in fields, the Oxeye Daisy is found throughout Britain, Europe and Russian Asia. When it was introduced to North America, the plant spread so rapidly that North Carolina adopted it as the state flower. Its former genus name, Chrysanthemum, derives from the Greek chrisos (golden) and anthos …

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Hogweed

I no longer recommend this plant be served to the public. This plant is not for beginners. Never eat raw. Always wear gloves when gathering. Please read the important Safety Notes below. Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) has enjoyed a reputation as both an important wild vegetable and a noxious weed. The …

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