25 Edible Plants, Fruits And Trees For Wilderness Survival

In this super-useful video, AlfieAesthetics gives us a rundown of 25 edible plants that all survivalists should learn about. Alfie gives a detailed description of the plants, which is essential for accurate identification.

Note that this list is specifically for the UK; not all of these plants will be available everywhere.

0:19 Primrose. Flower, stalks and leaves can be eaten raw. The roots, carefully rinsed, are also edible. Boiling is beneficial for safety.

2:50 Thistle. Avoid the prickly upper parts – and go for the nutritious taproot, which can be eaten raw.

3:49 Fireweed. The pale green pith from the center of the stem tastes like cucumber and is nutritious to eat.

5:22 Young Fireweed. The young leaves (the redder the better) are edible. Roots also can be eaten.

6:08 Dandelion. Easy to identify. Young leaves are less bitter. Roots are edible but bitter unless roasted.

7:19 Stinging Nettles. Collect the leaves from the toplost parts with gloves and make into a tea/soup, which neutralizes the stings. Fire also will neutralize the stings.

8:46 Dead Nettle. Unrelated to the stinging nettle, this similar-looking white-flowered plant has no stings.

9:04 Daisy. The flower is edible.

9:31 Ox-eye Daisy. aka the Moon Daisy. Note the shape of the leaves and the pungent smell when crushed. The central yellow disk tastes of pineapple.

10:34 Hawthorn. The red berries – haws – can be eaten but watch out for the stone. Leaves can also be eaten raw.

12:13 Rowan. aka mountain ash. Berries are TOXIC when raw – but boiling in water gets rid of the poison. He did not say how long they should be boiled fo and that’s probably important!

13:28 Garlic Mustard. Fresh leaves are tasty and widely available. The young tops are the best and frequently added to salads in old times.

15:40 Red Clover. The flower is edible and nutritious, with a high protein content. NOTE the chevrons on the leaves which are an identifier for the edible species.

17:52 Knapweed. Looking somewhat like a thistle or clover. The flowers are edible.

18:56 Greater Knapweed. Take the flowers and leave the woody buds.

19:22 Burdock. The huge leaves of this plant are edible, but the large root is the prize. Peel the root and it can be eaten raw.

21:36 Elderberry. Considered a ‘superfruit’ do to its high nutritional value. Be very careful of similar-looking berries that are toxic. Note also – important – that red or green berries, and the stems, are toxic. Dark purple/black fruits only.

23:40 Blackberry. Needs no introduction. Easily identified from the thorns and round-ish serrated leaves. Pick and enjoy the berries when ripe – in the late summer / early autumn. The leaves can also be eaten raw too, so long as all the thorns are removed.

25:06 Pineapple Weed. The acorn-like flower and the pineapple scent when crushed identify this plant. The stems, flowers and leaves are all edible. Can also be used to make a tea.

26:04 Rosehip. The uniquely-shaped fruit of the dog rose, these are super high in vitamin C. 420mg per 100g.

27:32 Crab Apple. Far too bitter to eat raw – don’t even try. But these can be chopped, cooked in boiling water and eaten.

28:54 Pine Needles. Can be eaten raw. Good vitamin content, best boiled and made into a tea.

29:45 Pine Nuts. yes, these fall from pine cones and are calorie-rich.

30:55 Poppy Seed. Once the pod dries, it can be cracked open to reveal the tiny black seeds. These are very nutritious and are 70% fats.

32:14 Walnuts. The pods turn brown when the nut is mature and ready.

33:15 Acorn. Cut the acorn open to reveal a large, edible nut that is highly nutritious and widespread snack. Some species produce very bitter acorns, which should not be eaten raw.

Safety note – never attempt to eat a plant that you have not absolutely identified. If you are not sure, don’t risk it!

25 Edible Plants, Fruits And Trees For Wilderness Survival – Graphic © off-grid.info. Images: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIRemyGT_xM