Foraging in Worsley Woods
Worsley Woods was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2006. The area is designated as a Site of Biological Importance, highlighting its significance for biodiversity within Greater Manchester
While not formally classified as a wetland, Worsley Woods contains several wetland habitat:
Kempnough Brook A stream that meanders through the woodland.
Old Warke Dam A historical reservoir
Wet Woodland Areas. Sections of the woods are wet woodland habitat, which are considered UK Priority Habitats. There are many fallen trees due to the area’s heavy clay soils, especially in combination with wet conditions and high winds. The trees often develop shallow roots since the roots struggle to penetrate compacted layers of clay.
The fallen trees and the wetlands support many types of plants and fungi.
Edible
This is more a foraging blog, rather than a guide. The links to actual recipes are the most useful part.
This page should not be used as a primary source of identification of edible plants and fungi.
Dates shown are when I have collected them. Some of the mushrooms may be around at other times than those I have spotted.
Ground Elder
A new addition to this page as I did know how to ID it until asked about it. More info and recipes next spring when I have cooked with it myself.
Early spring for young shoots
Young shoots only: Salad
Sautéed, soups, stews, pesto
(Chestnut) Oyster Mushrooms
Spring
Pleurotus ostreatus
Scarlet Elf Cups
Spring
Safe and edible but with little taste. Use for decoration
Primrose
Spring
Flowers as garnish and in salads
Young leaves in salad
Bitter Dock
Spring
Young leaves in salad
Dandelions
Spring
Young and inner leaves in salad
Flowers in sweets and baking
Field Mustard
Spring
Only 1 plant found!
- Leaves: sautéed or in raw in salad
- Seeds: flavour in cooking or make mustard
Garlic Mustard
Spring
Wood Avens
June/July
Raspberries
July
Wild Strawberries
June/July
(Pale) Oyster Mushrooms
June/July
Pleurotus pulmonarius
Wild Cherries
June/July
Cherries are not so abundant on the tress in our wood but there are a few
Wild Teasel
June/July
Blackberries
Autumn
Shaggy Ink Cap Mushroom
Autumn
I found this, positive ID but too near the motorway so toxins.
Honey Fungus
Autumn
I have not eaten these. Some people have reaction. Do not eat when drinking alcohol
Risky
Cow Parsley
Spring
This is too similar to Hemlock to be safe. There is lots of Hemlock in these woods and is of course famously deadly
Velvet Shank Mushrooms
Early Spring
ensure ID. Can be confused with Galerina marginata which is deadly! and grows in similar places.
Inedible
Bracket fungi
While these are inedible, some do have their uses and there are there are some who use them for their medicinal properties
Birch Polypore
Used by some for medicinal teas
Artists Bracket
Apparently so called as used to make ink. (Ganoderma applanatum)
Turkey Tail
Used by some for medicinal teas
Tramates Gibbosa
Lumpy bracket
King Alfred's Cakes
Kindling
Hoof Fungus
Kindling
False Turkey Tail
unknown
Lumpy bracket
Toadstools
There is no real distinction between toadstools and mushrooms. General usage is Mushrooms=Edible; Toadstools=inedible. Where there are risks of misidentification, I am including possibly edible mushrooms with the inedible. It’s not worth taking the risk.
Pleated Inkcap
appear late spring
Collared Parachute
July
Marasmius rotula
Pale Brittlestem
July
Fairy Ink Cap
July
unidentified (old)
July
Grey spotted amanita
July
Amanita excelsa. Amanita includes several varieties that are deadly poisonous, including the infamous Death Cap mushroom
Velvet Bolete
July
Suillus variegatus
Technically it is edible but is apparently lacking in flavour.
Other plants
I could list hundreds of plants but I’ll pick on some notable ones
Common Ragwort
Flowers June July
Can be poisonous to livestock and dogs
Giant Hogweed
Flowers June July