Edible Wild Plants

When I go for a walk in the region where I live in Germany, I never take lunch with me. That is because I continuously eat fruits and flowers and leaves on the way. Hereby answering the question "what do you eat?". These are the most common things I eat, while I don't consider myself a specialist at all. If you ask me, it's better to contact my friend Bosbaas or other edible wild plant connoisseurs in the Netherlands. You can also install the beautiful PlantNet app if you want to quickly know what something is.

Beware

Eating edible wild plants is a harmless and extremely healthy (vitamin-rich) hobby, just make sure you only eat what you know. In addition, do not eat 10 meters next to a road where cars drive. Also, do not eat anything when dogs are being walked, nor when there is very little of one species. When a plant blooms, it usually means that the leaves and stems are no longer tasty or edible (but the flower is). If you're really interested in this, you can start by buying a few books and carrying them in your pocket when you walk into the woods.

All photos were taken by myself in June-July 2021.

This is the blueberry, which also produces abundant fruit in a humid place in the Dutch forests. OK they are small but oh so tasty and horribly healthy.

This divine chickweed tastes better and fresher than the best store-bought lettuce, especially when the stems are long and the leaves are large. This is my favorite!

This divine chickweed tastes better and fresher than the best store-bought lettuce, especially when the stems are long and the leaves are large. This is my favorite!

This is number two favourite: Garlic Without Garlic. The leaves taste like garlic, although it is not a member of the garlic family.

This is number two favourite: Garlic Without Garlic. The leaves taste like garlic, although it is not a member of the garlic family.

Colza is also a favorite.

Colza is also a favorite.

Not available all year round, but still: the flowers of the cucumber herb are also nice and sweet (when they have not been left for a long time) and very addictive. And nice, isn't it?

Not available all year round, but still: the flowers of the cucumber herb are also nice and sweet (when they have not been left for a long time) and very addictive. And nice, isn't it?

This winterpostelijn here is already in bloom, which you can tell from the stem that has grown up from the inside of the leaf. Before that happens, this is a divine enrichment. Moreover, it is one of the most vitamin-rich plants we know. You can buy it at the better organic shop in the spring, and also in all forest edges in the Netherlands.

This winterpostelijn here is already in bloom, which you can tell from the stem that has grown up from the inside of the leaf. Before that happens, this is a divine enrichment. Moreover, it is one of the most vitamin-rich plants we know. You can buy it at the better organic shop in the spring, and also in all forest edges in the Netherlands.

You often walk on chamomile, because it is typically something that grows on paths. However, the chamomile flower I love to eat, and you can of course also make tea out of it - just like chamomile.

You often walk on chamomile, because it is typically something that grows on paths. However, the chamomile flower I love to eat, and you can of course also make tea out of it - just like chamomile.

The wide-spaced thin stems of the Rocket end in a yellow flower, which is a taste bomb in your mouth. If you like mustard, you can you can appreciate this one too.

The wide-spaced thin stems of the Rocket end in a yellow flower, which is a taste bomb in your mouth. If you like mustard, you can you can appreciate this one too.

The leaves of dandelions are delicious, especially when the leaves are still light green.

The leaves of dandelions are delicious, especially when the leaves are still light green.

Here you see one of the tastiest types of melde out there, the Tuinmelde. There are several types of melde, and they are all edible and very tasty!

Here you see one of the tastiest types of melde out there, the Tuinmelde. There are several types of melde, and they are all edible and very tasty!

The daisy flower is delicious, just like the yellow flower of the dandelion. But never eat buttercup, it is poisonous.

The daisy flower is delicious, just like the yellow flower of the dandelion. But never eat buttercup, it is poisonous.

Is there a lime tree somewhere? Then look for the smallest greenest leaves at the bottom of branches. Hmmmm, chew on them for a long time and a mellow taste emerges.

Is there a lime tree somewhere? Then look for the smallest greenest leaves at the bottom of branches. Hmmmm, chew on them for a long time and a mellow taste emerges.

You have to love it, but the leaves of the Lange Plantain are the tastiest of the two Plantain varieties.

You have to love it, but the leaves of the Lange Plantain are the tastiest of the two Plantain varieties.

Especially in Drenthe you will find many currant trees, but also in other parts of the country. If you come across this beautiful plant, enjoy it to the fullest. delicious fruit!

Especially in Drenthe you will find many currant trees, but also in other parts of the country. If you come across this beautiful plant, enjoy it to the fullest. delicious fruit!

Clover flowers are also edible, although not very tasty. My girlfriend harvests them and dries them for tea.

Clover flowers are also edible, although not very tasty. My girlfriend harvests them and dries them for tea.

The forest strawberry is known for not being very tasty, only this is absolutely wrong. This one is very tasty, and the structure is by far unique. When they are very ripe, you can clearly taste that they are related to the strawberry.

The forest strawberry is known for not being very tasty, only this is absolutely wrong. This one is very tasty, and the structure is by far unique. When they are very ripe, you can clearly taste that they are related to the strawberry.

Rose hips are a bit difficult to eat, only with a little fiddling you can eat anything that is red and just under the skin. It's instant jam! I also know of a trick to actually make jam out of this. The flat rosehip is less suitable for eating on the go.

Rose hips are a bit difficult to eat, only with a little fiddling you can eat anything that is red and just under the skin. It's instant jam! I also know of a trick to actually make jam out of this. The flat rosehip is less suitable for eating on the go.

The Herderstasje bags are a scant but excellent snack while walking.

The Herderstasje bags are a scant but excellent snack while walking.

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