What to forage in December
December is the quietest month, and it is fairer to say so than to pretend otherwise. Little is in season: jelly ear persists on old elder, a few hardy fungi hold on through mild spells, and roots and the first returning wild-garlic leaves are the main prizes for anyone willing to work for them. Damp woodland and hedgerow are where to look, though a hard frost will shut even those down. It is as much a month for planning as for foraging — for noting the trees and patches to return to when the year turns. Take very little, leave winter food for the birds and animals that need it more, and enjoy the walk.
Last chance in December
The window is closing — these are largely done once the month turns.
Auricularia auricula-judae
A soft, rubbery bracket shaped like a cupped ear, usually 3-8cm across, tan to deep reddish-brown, with folds and veins across the smooth inner face and a fine velvety bloom on the outside.
Caution: Cook it thoroughly; raw or barely cooked it sits badly with some people.
View field guide entry →Salvia rosmarinus
A dense evergreen shrub with woody, upright stems and stiff, needle-like leaves that are dark green above and pale grey-felted beneath, releasing a strong resinous, pine-and-camphor scent when crushed.
Caution: Safe as a culinary herb in ordinary cooking amounts; the concentrated essential oil is a different matter and is not for internal use.
View field guide entry →
The buckets above are capped at the most-logged species. For everything in season this month, browse the full December list in the field guide →
What foragers actually logged in December
In December, foragers logged 621 finds — a smaller sample, so treat it as a rough guide rather than a trend. The species recorded most were Apples (81), Ground Elder (76), Chicken of the woods (56), Wild Garlic (47) and Blackberry (33). Counts are aggregated across all foragers, with no location or personal detail.
Log your own finds
The calendar is built from what foragers record in the app. It's free, with no account needed to browse.
