Category Archives: 365 Frankendael

365 Frankendael day 218

November 24, 2012365 Frankendael, Poisonous herbsBlack nightshadeLynn

Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) today. The pretty tomato like fruits and white/yellow flowers, give them away at this time of year. They are toxic.

Historic uses of this annual plant include being mixed with horehound and wine for dropsy, the juice or poultice for burns, skin ulcers, pain relief and earache. The berries will certainly harm children and sometimes adults. The toxicity of the plant varies between seasons.

You’ll be able to find many Black Nightshade plants in Amsterdam pavement gardens and plant pots, at this time of year.

365 Frankendael day 217

November 23, 2012365 Frankendaelginkgo, Greater Celandine, hairy bitter cressLynn

There are still Ginkgo fruit/nuts falling ripe from street trees in Amsterdam.

Here’s some tasty and nourishing Hairy Bitter Cress, harvested from a roof terrace pot today. This wild food plant should be available right into the winter. It makes a welcome, peppery addition to a meal.

Here is Greater Celandine, its toxic orange milky sap can be a useful remedy for marks on the skin, such as small benign growths.

365 Frankendael day 216

November 22, 2012365 FrankendaelLynn

My first leisurely walk in the park for some time, today. There is so much edible plantlife to be seen and so many signs which foretell what the spring will offer.

Firstly Russian Comfrey (Symphytum uplandicum x)

Ivy (Hedera helix), not so much edible as useful in other ways. The second Ivy photo shows a plant with usual leaves, some of 7 lobes.

Next is woodland floor Geranium.

Ground ivy and then Garlic mustard, growing amongst a lovely willow woven structure.

Also beside the willow, Ground Elder.

Witch Hazel, one of the most amazingly vibrant shrubs of early spring of already showing signs of its flowers.

A stately Oak.

And two beautiful green Amsterdam parrots.

There used to be dozens of chickens, living wild in Park Frankendael. They were cleared out several years ago. Today we met this little lovely, in the middle of the woodland. I have hope that there are more in the park.

365 Frankendael day 215

November 21, 2012365 FrankendaelPassionflower, Rosemary, SageLynn

Here’s a photo of a tiny section of a well stocked pavement garden. It it’s brimming with plants, many of which are herbs. The three shown here are Passionflower (Passiflora) to the left, Sage (Salvia officinalis) in the centre and Rosemary (Rosemary officinalis) to the right.

365 Frankendael day 214

November 20, 2012365 FrankendaelChickweed, fat hen, Gingko biloba nuts, YarrowLynn

The largest female Ginkgo tree, outside of one of the British School of Amsterdam locations, is still doing useful fruit on the pavement. So if you fancy a Gingko nut forage there may still be time for you to gather a bagful. Please see my post about safe harvesting and preparation of this urban gift.

Also today, in the Frankendael area of Amsterdam, I found Fat Hen, Chickweed, Dock seed heads and lots of Yarrow. Unfortunately when I had a chance to photograph any, there was too much wind so this is all I managed… A beautiful, feathery Yarrow, spreading throughout a lawn area. Full of herbal usefulness.

365 Frankendael day 213

November 19, 2012365 FrankendaelLynn

A chilly but resplendent treepit, close to my dentist’s practice on Linneausparkweg today…

This one is like a mini herb meadow, with Lavender, Clover, Geranium, Feverfew, Chickweed, Foxglove and several ornamentals. Very attractive to people and wildlife.

365 Frankendael day 212

November 18, 2012365 FrankendaelChickweedLynn

Chickweed today, filling a pavement garden on Linneausparkweg.

Also a mystery tuber which was floating past me as I stood waiting for Sinterklaas and his flotilla of boats, alongside the Amstel river today. It could be Reed mace (Cats tails), which is edible in theory. However, it’s easy to tell that harvesting from somewhere as well used as the Amstel, is bound to
lead to digestive troubles at least!

365 Frankendael day 211

November 17, 2012365 FrankendaelHops, MeadLynn

Today a couple of photos of Hops (Humulus lupulus). Used for its relaxation imparting properties and its ability to impart good flavour into beer. I’ve been reading some old Mead recipes lately and Hops featured in several.

365 Frankendael day 210

November 16, 2012365 Frankendael, Evergreen herbs, Exotic herbs, Growing herbsCamellia sinensis, TeaLynn

Inside all day today, my little foraging buddy is poorly and my throat is pounding, so a balcony photo for a change and lots of herbal honey for us both!

This is the Camellia sinensis (Tea) plant which I bought in the summer from Intratuin. It’s still doing well, in the bonsai form and pot. As you can see here, it is developing pretty little flower buds. I look forward to seeing them open in the very early spring.

I’ve not tried it yet but it is perfectly possible to make all types of conventional tea from the leaves if this lovely plant. White tea being leaves almost straight from the plant. Soon, I’ll give it a try.

365 Frankendael day 209

November 15, 2012365 Frankendael, ForagingChickweed, Gallant soldiersLynn

The Amsterdam Manor Hotel on Linneausstraat has a lovely wrought iron fence along side the road and I was delighted today, to find masses of delicious Chickweed (Stellaria media) tucked behind it, just within arms reach.

I harvested a bag full I’m no time at all, drawing a few interested glances. No matter, I now have a 500 ml tincture jar set up and a small apple cider vinegar infusing with this wonderful herb and wild food.

I’ll use the tincture for cleansing and if needed, to dissolve cysts our solve itchy skin complaints. Ill use the vinegar as a salad dressing, straight of the spoon or to draw minerals out of cooking food.

Chickweed is a nutrient dense plant, so easy to harvest and find and so tolerant of the cold weather.

Also today, behind another fence, this time belonging to Spanish tapas bar, Pata Negra, is a healthy patch of Gallant Soldiers. Quite appropriate I think!

Urban Herbology

Foraging, Growing and Using Herbs in Amsterdam