Wild Edibles

[papiyonmov]

Any suggestions for a field guide on wild edibles/edible weeds, or just one regarding weeds that notes which are edible, especially for northern California? I could find some stuff sporadically on the internet but was hoping for a little booklet I could take out into the yard and identify those puppies one-by-one. There's a really comprehensive university site that lists California "weeds" but doesn't note if they're edible...

[Colorawdo girl]

looks like we might all need to do that to get semi organic food....eeeeeeek

[~ladybug]

Hi Papiyon,

I have ordered a couple of books but they aren't much help. For me, it's a hunt on the internet... taking pictures and asking in forums like this, gardenweb, etc. I've yet to come across something that hasn't been identified this way.

Gardenweb actually started a forum called "Name that plant (http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/namegal/)". Folks there are really helpful, just like here.

Maybe someone else can recommend a really good book. I'd like to know too.

Good luck!!

[RaeVynn]

On Saturday, I found "Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West" by Gregory L. Tilford at Powell's in Portland.
It has photographs!

You might check that one out. :p

[kaybee]

www.pfaf.org has really really comprehensive listings of edible plants etc and its a really cool site...the drawback? i havent found any PICS on their website. but at least it would tell you whats edible then you could search the internet for pics....

www.susunweed.com or maybe her forums at www.healingwiseforum.com also has a section on edible weeds

ok i know thats not exactly what youre looking for...but honestly i think your best bet might be to find someone who does foraging walks. at least for me, those feel like the "safest" way to learn about foraging, because you get to see and touch an example of the plant instead of just looking at pics. some things i feel like i really need to see first to be able to be confident in picking them.

[spicyfull]

Thanks to all of you for Sharing such RAWonderful information.

[Colorawdo girl]

Been on a couple wild walks. I was so enthralled with the idea. And love wild food.
I ended up feeling not comfy to eat much on my own after that.
The fella said this is good if you use this part,top is poisinous. This is only ok if you parboil it for two hours..otherwise its poisin. Etc etc...so I know the idea was to buy his book.
Prob only applies to the east coast. His book would be under Wildman Steve Brill. It is a great book with pictures and I am sure one would know what to eat or not then.

[iwuvmydoggy]

you can always find someone in your area that specializes in survival training & see if they offer classes or could take you out & teach you what kind of stuff you could eat.

my grandmother was a native american lady & she used to go foraging around & make a mess of wild greens for her family.. i never got the opportunity to learn that skill from her, though... but maybe some native americans in your area could also help you! also, i found this website: http://www.wildmanwildfood.com/ :D

[mongodelight]

I am eating beech leafes every day. Very tasty! I am eating dandelion(g.i.m.g) every day. Very bitter, best ever:cool:, I am drinking nettle juice(grows in my garden. I eat several wild flowers, other leafes like linden leafes etc. I eat sprouce "flowers" too. I eat the young nettles of the sprouce.

I am not buying any green veggies anymore.
In summer i wont buy any fruit too. I know already an abundance of places with all kinds of berries, even wild reachable cherry trees

My goal is to live 100% from nature in the summertime. The only problem is the fats, they re only around in fall in form of nuts