Today I went for a walk in the countryside, very close to my home, and spent some time looking at the plants around me.

I took photos of some wild plants, food sources and plants traditionally used for different purposes.

The interesting part is that many of these plants are growing right next to us, but most people walk past them without even noticing. I’m not talking about replacing supermarkets or turning the countryside into a pharmacy. I’m talking about something much simpler: learning to recognize what is already around us. Many people on SN know that I’m interested in permaculture and in recovering some of the knowledge that we have slowly forgotten.

Some of the plants I found:

🌿 Wild asparagus (Asparagus)

One of my favourites. The young shoots are the famous wild asparagus collected in many Mediterranean areas. Something funny is that these wild asparagus can be surprisingly expensive in supermarkets. They are considered a delicacy in many places, even though they grow freely in nature. And honestly, after eating the real wild ones, many cultivated asparagus just don’t taste the same. It’s a good reminder that sometimes we ignore things that actually have a lot of value.

🫒 Olive tree (Olea europaea)

A symbol of the Mediterranean and one of the most important trees in our history. Right now the olives are still green. They are not ready to produce oil yet, but they can already be eaten as green olives, either traditionally prepared or simply eaten after the right process. The olive tree is fascinating because it can survive harsh conditions, produce food for generations and become part of the landscape for hundreds of years.

🌱 Caper bush (Capparis spinosa)

An amazing plant adapted to extreme conditions. The flower buds are the famous capers used in cooking, but the plant itself is fascinating because it grows in places where many other plants struggle: dry areas, rocky soils and places with very little water. It is a perfect example of nature finding solutions where we don’t expect them.

🌸 Asphodel (Asphodelus)

This is one of those plants connected with old countryside knowledge. I have always heard older farmers and gardeners talk about traditional uses of this plant. Some of them used to say that ashes from the tuber were a traditional remedy for hair problems, and that the fresh tuber was used externally because of its supposed antifungal properties. I cannot say these are medically proven treatments, but I find it fascinating how generations of people preserved knowledge about plants that most of us barely notice today.

🌳 Fig tree (Ficus carica)

One of the oldest cultivated trees by humans. Figs have been an important food source for thousands of years. A fig tree is not just food: it provides shelter, supports biodiversity and becomes part of a living ecosystem.

🐉 Dragon fruit / Pitahaya (Hylocereus)

This one was planted by me. It started as a small experiment, and now it is becoming part of my own little ecosystem. One of the most rewarding things about growing plants is seeing something you planted yourself develop over time and eventually produce food. Pitahayas produce amazing fruits: colourful, tropical-looking fruits with white or red flesh full of tiny black seeds. They are sweet, fresh and have a flavour somewhere between kiwi, pear and other tropical fruits. Watching a plant go from a small cutting to a fruit-producing organism is a completely different feeling from simply buying something at a store.

🌿 Verbena (Verbena officinalis)

Another plant deeply connected with traditional knowledge. Verbena has been traditionally used in herbal infusions and folk medicine, especially associated with relaxation, digestion and general wellbeing. As with many traditional plants, the important thing is respecting both the knowledge passed down through generations and the limits of what is scientifically proven.

🌵 Aloe vera

Another plant I planted myself. It is one of those incredibly useful plants that almost anyone can grow. Its gel has been traditionally used for external skin care and soothing minor irritations. It is also extremely resistant and perfectly adapted to dry climates.

🌵 Century plant / Pita (Agave americana)

A true survivor. Traditionally used for fibres, crafts and different practical purposes, it shows how plants can provide resources even in very difficult environments.

While walking, I also found something completely different: a nearby area that is unfortunately very dirty and full of rubbish. It feels strange to see wild plants, old trees and a living ecosystem growing next to places that humans have abandoned. I’m planning to come back soon with some friends to clean that area. I’ll document it here on SN as well, because permaculture is not only about planting things. It is also about taking care of the place where we live. What I like most about walks like this is that they change the way you see the landscape. A plant that someone calls a “weed” can be food, traditional medicine, animal habitat, soil creator or simply another important piece of a much bigger ecosystem. Maybe we don’t always need to look further away for resources. Sometimes we just need to pay attention to what is already around us.

Thanks for reading, sat.