A Walk on the Wildside (or make sure its not Hemlock…)

On a mercifully dry Saturday afternoon, local expert, Lisa Duncan, led an intriguing foraging walk at Newlands Corner on 1st June 2024.

It soon became clear that Lisa is a walking encyclopedia of botanical knowledge and that our local countryside is packed with fascinating edible and medicinal plants. From wild marjoram to capers, parsley, and pea substitutes, to soups, salads, tea, coffee, cordial, and wine ingredients, a super abundance of useful plants were pointed out and sampled.

Equally intriguing were the many medicinal uses for plants growing in abundance within easy reach of the car park. The next time I get stung by a nettle, it is plantain I shall reach for (although leaving the sting might just cure my arthritis). From insect repellent to laundry detergent, there are a myriad of uses for commonly available plants for individuals to harness, should they wish, quite apart from recreating well known herbal remedies.

This was an eye opening experience and we are indebted to Lisa for sharing her extensive knowledge with us and for sending us such detailed follow up identification and uses information. Our gentle stroll was fittingly concluded with a beautiful nettle cupcake each, washed down with refreshing nettle cordial. I shall definitely be making my own elderflower or nettle cordial soon, whilst heeding the warning not to gather from under yew trees and to beware of the blood splatter stains on stems that indicate hemlock.

I might even surprise guests with some moss inspired nettle cupcakes, whilst my husband will no doubt remind me to only harvest plants that I am very sure are safe. More hemlock, Darling?