Species library · Berries & fruit

Foraging Damson

Prunus domestica subsp. insititia

Typically in season from September to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges, Disturbed ground. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Damson (Prunus domestica subsp. insititia)

Photo: Jonathan Billinger · CC BY-SA 2.0

When Damson is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak September to October. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in October

Where it grows

Damson is usually found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges, Disturbed ground.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Only forage with a confident ID.

Wild privetWild privet☠ toxic
Common buckthorn☠ toxic
BlackthornBlackthorn

Take Damson into the field

Open Damson in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Damson: common questions

When is Damson in season?

Damson is generally in season from September to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Damson grow?

Damson is usually found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges, Disturbed ground.

Is Damson safe to forage?

Toxic look-alikes: Wild privet, Common buckthorn, Blackthorn. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits