Alder — Alnus glutinosa
Family: Betulaceae
Primary roles: material, ecological
Parts used + season: wood (year-round, best cut dormant)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Alder is more valuable as a system component than as a harvested resource. Its ecological role often outweighs its material utility.
Cross-references: 6.2 Coppicing; 5.4 Leaving the Forest Better
Ash — Fraxinus excelsior
Family: Oleaceae
Primary roles: material, toolmaking
Parts used + season: wood (winter cutting preferred)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Ash teaches restraint in the face of loss. With widespread dieback, ethical use now prioritises recovery and selective care over extraction.
Cross-references: 6.2 Long-Term Projects; 5.3 Ethics of Harvesting
Birch — Betula pendula / Betula pubescens
Family: Betulaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal, material
Parts used + season: sap (early spring), bark (limited, fallen material), leaves (spring)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Birch invites overuse due to apparent abundance. Sap and bark harvesting require strict limits to avoid long-term harm.
Cross-references: 6.1 Seasonal Scenarios (Spring); 5.4 Micro-restoration
Blackberry — Rubus fruticosus agg.
Family: Rosaceae
Primary roles: food, material, ecological
Parts used + season: fruit (late summer–autumn), leaves (summer)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Blackberry is a beginner plant that remains useful at advanced levels. Its value lies in reliability, not novelty.
Cross-references: 6.1 Autumn Scenario; 5.2 Sustainable Harvesting
Dandelion — Taraxacum officinale
Family: Asteraceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal
Parts used + season: leaves (spring), roots (autumn), flowers (spring–summer)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Dandelion is nutritionally useful but rarely calorically significant. Overemphasis on it often signals misplaced survival priorities.
Cross-references: 6.1 Spring Scenario; 5.1 Forest Cycles
Deadly Nightshade — Atropa belladonna
Family: Solanaceae
Primary roles: none (recognition only)
Parts used + season: none
Safety: ☠️ Deadly
Author’s note: This plant exists in this index solely to prevent fatal curiosity. Recognition without interaction is the only ethical relationship.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 5.3 Invasive and Dangerous Species
Elder — Sambucus nigra
Family: Adoxaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal
Parts used + season: flowers (late spring), berries (late summer)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Elder is widely used and widely misunderstood. Raw parts contain compounds that require correct preparation; familiarity should not be mistaken for safety.
Cross-references: 6.1 Summer Scenario; Safety Preface
Elm — Ulmus spp.
Family: Ulmaceae
Primary roles: material, ecological
Parts used + season: wood (winter, fallen or managed sources)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Modern elm use must acknowledge disease pressure. Ethical interaction prioritises conservation and deadwood use over fresh cutting.
Cross-references: 6.2 Long-Term Projects; 5.4 Leaving the Forest Better
Fennel — Foeniculum vulgare
Family: Apiaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal
Parts used + season: leaves, seeds (summer–autumn)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: As a member of Apiaceae, fennel demands absolute certainty of identification. Confusion within this family carries disproportionate risk.
Cross-references: Safety Preface (Families of Concern); 6.1 Summer Scenario
Hawthorn — Crataegus monogyna
Family: Rosaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal, ecological
Parts used + season: leaves (spring), berries/haws (autumn)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Hawthorn bridges food and medicine. This overlap encourages overuse; its value lies in moderation and seasonal respect.
Cross-references: 6.1 Autumn Scenario; 5.2 Sustainable Harvesting
Hazel — Corylus avellana
Family: Betulaceae
Primary roles: food, material
Parts used + season: nuts (autumn), rods (winter)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Hazel rewards long-term thinking. Its true value emerges only when harvesting is paired with coppice-style management.
Cross-references: 6.2 Coppicing; 6.1 Autumn Scenario
Hemlock — Conium maculatum
Family: Apiaceae
Primary roles: none (recognition only)
Parts used + season: none
Safety: ☠️ Deadly
Author’s note: Hemlock is included to enforce humility. No use justifies the risk; recognition alone is the correct endpoint.
Cross-references: Safety Preface (Families of Concern); 5.3 Dangerous Species
Ivy — Hedera helix
Family: Araliaceae
Primary roles: medicinal, ecological
Parts used + season: leaves (external use only, year-round)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Ivy’s medicinal reputation often exceeds its safe application. Internal use is inappropriate; its ecological value frequently outweighs any practical benefit.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 5.4 Leaving the Forest Better
Ivy-leaved Toadflax — Cymbalaria muralis
Family: Plantaginaceae
Primary roles: none (ecological/recognition)
Parts used + season: none
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Frequently misidentified and occasionally misused. This plant offers little practical value; recognition is sufficient.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 5.4 Leaving the Forest Better
Juniper — Juniperus communis
Family: Cupressaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal, material
Parts used + season: berries (autumn–winter), wood (limited)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Juniper rewards precision and punishes assumption. Berries are slow-maturing and easily overharvested; moderation is essential.
Cross-references: 6.1 Winter Scenario; 5.2 Sustainable Harvesting
Lime / Linden — Tilia cordata
Family: Malvaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal, material
Parts used + season: leaves (spring), flowers (early summer), bast fibre (summer)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Lime exemplifies multi-functionality. Its value increases with understanding of timing rather than quantity.
Cross-references: 6.1 Spring Scenario; 6.2 Long-Term Projects
Lords-and-Ladies — Arum maculatum
Family: Araceae
Primary roles: none (recognition only)
Parts used + season: none
Safety: ☠️ Deadly
Author’s note: Seasonal appearance and folklore invite dangerous experimentation. Recognition without contact is mandatory.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 5.3 Dangerous Species
Lungwort — Pulmonaria officinalis
Family: Boraginaceae
Primary roles: medicinal
Parts used + season: leaves (spring)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Lungwort’s traditional associations exceed its practical reliability. Modern use requires restraint and context.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 6.3 Materia Medica (Medicinal Context)
Mallow — Malva sylvestris
Family: Malvaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal
Parts used + season: leaves (spring–summer), flowers (summer)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Mallow is functionally gentle and often underestimated. Its value lies in soothing properties rather than nutritional impact.
Cross-references: 6.1 Summer Scenario; 6.3 Safety Preface
Mugwort — Artemisia vulgaris
Family: Asteraceae
Primary roles: medicinal, ritual
Parts used + season: leaves (summer), flowering tops (late summer)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Mugwort attracts experimental use. Its effects are subtle but cumulative; casual or frequent use increases risk.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 6.3 Medicinal Context
Nettle — Urtica dioica
Family: Urticaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal, material
Parts used + season: young leaves (spring), fibre (summer)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Nettle is often treated as a survival staple. Its real value is nutritional density, not caloric rescue.
Cross-references: 6.1 Spring Scenario; 5.2 Sustainable Harvesting
Oak — Quercus robur
Family: Fagaceae
Primary roles: food, material, ecological
Parts used + season: acorns (autumn), wood (managed sources)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Oak demands processing and patience. Its abundance tempts misuse; unprocessed use is inappropriate.
Cross-references: 6.1 Autumn Scenario; 6.2 Long-Term Projects
Pine — Pinus sylvestris
Family: Pinaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal, material
Parts used + season: needles (year-round), resin (summer)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Pine is broadly useful but easily over-applied. Internal use should remain limited and purposeful.
Cross-references: 6.1 Winter Scenario; Safety Preface
Plantain — Plantago major / Plantago lanceolata
Family: Plantaginaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal
Parts used + season: leaves (spring–summer), seeds (late summer)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Plantain’s reliability makes it a teaching plant. Its role is supportive, not curative.
Cross-references: 6.1 Spring Scenario; 5.1 Forest Cycles
Queen Anne’s Lace / Wild Carrot — Daucus carota
Family: Apiaceae
Primary roles: food (limited)
Parts used + season: root (first-year plants, autumn)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: This plant exists at the edge of acceptable risk. Confusion with toxic Apiaceae makes it unsuitable for casual use.
Cross-references: Safety Preface (Families of Concern); 6.1 Autumn Scenario
Ragwort — Jacobaea vulgaris
Family: Asteraceae
Primary roles: none (ecological/recognition)
Parts used + season: none
Safety: ☠️ Deadly
Author’s note: Ragwort is toxic and cumulative. Its importance is ecological recognition, not use.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 5.3 Toxic Species
Rowan — Salix aucuparia
Family: Rosaceae
Primary roles: food (processed), ecological
Parts used + season: berries (autumn, processed only)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Rowan berries are valuable only with correct processing. Raw use reflects misunderstanding rather than tradition.
Cross-references: 6.1 Autumn Scenario; Safety Preface
Rose — Rosa spp.
Family: Rosaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal
Parts used + season: hips (autumn), petals (summer)
Safety: ✅ Safe
Author’s note: Rosehips reward patience and processing. Their value lies in preservation, not immediate use.
Cross-references: 6.1 Autumn Scenario; 5.2 Sustainable Harvesting
Sorrel — Rumex acetosa
Family: Polygonaceae
Primary roles: food
Parts used + season: leaves (spring–early summer)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Oxalic acid content limits frequency and quantity. Sorrel is a flavour plant, not a staple.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 6.1 Spring Scenario
St John’s Wort — Hypericum perforatum
Family: Hypericaceae
Primary roles: medicinal
Parts used + season: flowering tops (summer)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Interactions and photosensitivity make this plant unsuitable for unsupervised use.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 6.3 Medicinal Context
Tansy — Tanacetum vulgare
Family: Asteraceae
Primary roles: none (recognition only)
Parts used + season: none
Safety: ☠️ Deadly
Author’s note: Historical culinary use does not justify modern experimentation. Recognition is sufficient.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 5.3 Toxic Species
Thyme (Wild) — Thymus polytrichus
Family: Lamiaceae
Primary roles: food, medicinal
Parts used + season: leaves and flowering tops (summer)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Wild thyme is potent despite its size. Small quantities are sufficient; excess use offers no benefit.
Cross-references: 6.1 Summer Scenario; Safety Preface
Valerian — Valeriana officinalis
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Primary roles: medicinal
Parts used + season: root (autumn)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Valerian’s effects are subtle and highly individual. Its reputation often exceeds predictable outcomes, and misuse is common.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 6.3 Medicinal Context
Willow — Salix spp.
Family: Salicaceae
Primary roles: medicinal, material, ecological
Parts used + season: bark (spring), rods (winter)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Willow is often framed as a “natural aspirin.” This simplification ignores variability, dosage uncertainty, and contraindications.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 6.2 Coppicing
Yarrow — Achillea millefolium
Family: Asteraceae
Primary roles: medicinal
Parts used + season: leaves and flowers (summer)
Safety: ⚠️ Caution
Author’s note: Yarrow is widely used and easily overused. Familiarity should not replace conservative judgment.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 6.1 Summer Scenario
Yew — Taxus baccata
Family: Taxaceae
Primary roles: none (recognition only)
Parts used + season: none
Safety: ☠️ Deadly
Author’s note: One of the most dangerous trees in the British landscape. Any interaction beyond recognition is inappropriate.
Cross-references: Safety Preface; 5.3 Toxic Species