Vigorous and growing rapidly in woods, scrub, hillsides and hedgerows, blackberry shrubs tolerate poor soils, readily colonizing wasteland, ditches and vacant lots throughout the UK. Its range extends throughout Europe and Macaronesia.
Walnut
The name walnut is derived from the Old English: walhhnutu is wealh (foreign) + hnutu (nut). Etymologically it meant the nut of the Roman lands (Gaul and Italy) as distinguished from the native hazel, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Indeed, the Romans held it to be sacred to the god Jupiter, known as ‘Jove’ who is said to dine on this nut when he comes to earth. The botanical name Juglans is derived from this – ‘Jovis’ (Jupiter); glans (an acorn or nut).
Ash
Ash thrives best in fertile, deep and well-drained soil in cool atmospheres. It is native to Europe, Asia Minor and Africa and is also found from the Arctic Circle to Turkey. It is the third most common tree in Britain. It is often found as a pioneer species and colonises urban areas readily. The immature seed can be pickled by steeping in salt and vinegar, and then used as a condiment for other foods or added to cheeses, coleslaws, pickles, kimchi or similar. Ash trees are in the olive family (Oleaceae) and produce an edible oil from the seed that is chemically similar to olive oil.
Nasturtium
All of the aerial parts of the garden nasturtium are edible. The flower has most often been consumed, making for an especially ornamental salad ingredient. It has a slightly peppery taste reminiscent of watercress, and is also used in stir fry. It is also delicious stuffed or made into peppery fritters.
Red clover
Red clover's young flowers and leaves are edible raw in salads or cooked, and can be added as garnishes to any dish. They can also be ground into a flour. The flowers often are used to make jelly and tisanes. The young leaves are harvested before the plant comes into flower, and are used in salads, soups etc. On their own they can be used as a vegetable, cooked like spinach. The leaves are best cooked. They can be dried, powdered and sprinkled on foods. The seed can be sprouted and used in salads yielding a crisp and robust texture.