Post by hawkeyes on Apr 28, 2019 6:58:35 GMT -7
A true mark of self sufficiency during the period and today, is how one can recognize wild edibles and medicinal plant's for sustainment. More often than not, I'm asked while at events why my food staples are always so limited to provisions in my market wallet and no cooler. Simple answer, nature provides a multitude of tasty and healthy options and one just needs to know what they are looking for.
I took another trip into the forest yesterday after the heavy spring rains we have had. I knew coupled with the rain and brief sunshine the forest was going to explode with new growth. It always truly amazes me the abundant amount of resources the forest offers even today as did during the period we show interest.
There are many and I mean MANY publications on wild edibles and this is were one should exercise caution. While there are many universal plants across NA it's always extremely wise to exercise caution and do your own research accordingly. While I'm absolutely no expert in the matter I have been blessed being raised in a family that enjoys wild edibles and what nature has to offer. So, naturally I've grown up learning about many of our Eastern Woodland plants.
I'm sharing just a few images I collected yesterday on some easily recognized plants I came across without even looking, and these are ones you've likely came across and haven't even gave them a thought. Many of these plants also have numerous medicinal uses, but I'll be leaving that out for now, focusing just on edibility.
First image is chickweed, wonderful little edible. Eat it fresh, the entire plant! A tasty addition to camp pottage or stews.
Second is wild violet, flowers and leaves are edible and tasty. Very high in vitamin C. I'll usually pick a handful while trekking along as a snack.
Third is garlic mustard, one of my favorites! Just as the name suggests they taste like garlic/mustard. Flowers, leaves, roots and buds are tangy and pungent, like garlic when eaten raw. Another excellent addition to camp meals and obviously packed full of vitamins.
Fourth plant is wild ginger, leaves make a excellent tea and the roots are great as a ginger substitute. Word of caution, like sassafras high levels of wild ginger can be toxic, moderation is key obviously.
Fifth one is wild geraniums, the entire plant is edible and as with all packed full of vitamins. One medicinal use worth noting amongst many is a anti diarrheal.
Last plant isn't edible, I'm including this since I spotted it from a distance and feel it's a important plant. This is bloodroot, a wonderful medicinal plant for coughing, sore throats and as a topical treatment for skin conditions. It's red sap is also another excellent mosquito repellent and it works. Also can be used as a natural red dye.
These are just a few plants I came across and wanted to share, do your research is all I can say. I harvest and collect many wild plants yearly and know what's in my area, yours may be different. To be continued, I'll certainly have more to share as the season progresses.
Also wanted to add, some plants shouldn't be picked and this is one. The great white wild trillium. This plant in some areas is endangered and very fragile. Enjoy it's beauty by observation because it is beautiful!
However, behind the trillium you'll see mayapple, only eat the fruit when ripened and YELLOW, remove the seeds and it's delicious, but eat in small amounts. Like sassafras in large amounts it can be toxic.
I took another trip into the forest yesterday after the heavy spring rains we have had. I knew coupled with the rain and brief sunshine the forest was going to explode with new growth. It always truly amazes me the abundant amount of resources the forest offers even today as did during the period we show interest.
There are many and I mean MANY publications on wild edibles and this is were one should exercise caution. While there are many universal plants across NA it's always extremely wise to exercise caution and do your own research accordingly. While I'm absolutely no expert in the matter I have been blessed being raised in a family that enjoys wild edibles and what nature has to offer. So, naturally I've grown up learning about many of our Eastern Woodland plants.
I'm sharing just a few images I collected yesterday on some easily recognized plants I came across without even looking, and these are ones you've likely came across and haven't even gave them a thought. Many of these plants also have numerous medicinal uses, but I'll be leaving that out for now, focusing just on edibility.
First image is chickweed, wonderful little edible. Eat it fresh, the entire plant! A tasty addition to camp pottage or stews.
Second is wild violet, flowers and leaves are edible and tasty. Very high in vitamin C. I'll usually pick a handful while trekking along as a snack.
Third is garlic mustard, one of my favorites! Just as the name suggests they taste like garlic/mustard. Flowers, leaves, roots and buds are tangy and pungent, like garlic when eaten raw. Another excellent addition to camp meals and obviously packed full of vitamins.
Fourth plant is wild ginger, leaves make a excellent tea and the roots are great as a ginger substitute. Word of caution, like sassafras high levels of wild ginger can be toxic, moderation is key obviously.
Fifth one is wild geraniums, the entire plant is edible and as with all packed full of vitamins. One medicinal use worth noting amongst many is a anti diarrheal.
Last plant isn't edible, I'm including this since I spotted it from a distance and feel it's a important plant. This is bloodroot, a wonderful medicinal plant for coughing, sore throats and as a topical treatment for skin conditions. It's red sap is also another excellent mosquito repellent and it works. Also can be used as a natural red dye.
These are just a few plants I came across and wanted to share, do your research is all I can say. I harvest and collect many wild plants yearly and know what's in my area, yours may be different. To be continued, I'll certainly have more to share as the season progresses.
Also wanted to add, some plants shouldn't be picked and this is one. The great white wild trillium. This plant in some areas is endangered and very fragile. Enjoy it's beauty by observation because it is beautiful!
However, behind the trillium you'll see mayapple, only eat the fruit when ripened and YELLOW, remove the seeds and it's delicious, but eat in small amounts. Like sassafras in large amounts it can be toxic.