Anybody know of a book that might...

Uncle Timbo

Uncle Timbo

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Nov 23, 2005
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I turn to you, my brothers. You who know. I'm looking for a smallish paperback book to stuff in my B.O.B. that would help with what plants or else would substitute for medicine in the wild in a pinch. Let's just stick to North America? Any suggestions?
 
I'm sure you will be able to locate a small book of useful plants native to your area but if you don't mind me saying, it's far better to learn them rather than to look to a book at a time when you really need them.

I'd recommend you get a really good book of native plants and flowers with photo's rather than drawings for reference.Each time you go out take pics of the local flora and fauna and then match them to those in the book. You will never remember all you will find so just try and learn those that will be of most use and most easilly found where you hike.

Edible Wild Plants A North American Field Guide by Elias & Dykeman is one such book in my collection.
 
Books can be a great resource but you have to spend time out in the fields and woods to learn what you can use and how. I would recommend that you learn five common plants that are safe to use for treating minor problems, five common plants to use for fire starting and five that you need to avoid. Once you have those down cold add another set of five of each. Where abouts are you anyway? Lots of regional variation on the useful lists.

My short list for treating itchy skin or the fire of stinging nettles is to use either jewelweed stems mashed up and rubbed on the irritated area or do the same with burdock stems. Both will stop nettles within seconds. Jewelweed and burdock grow in the same areas in MN as nettles do. Kind of handy in the summer.
 
porkbilly I would not get a plant book for the whole USA, just way to much to put into a book of any carry able size and still retain good information about proper ID. Where are you located regionally? I know that in Montana or anywhere in the Rockies I carry this book. Every time I go backpacking it goes with me, it is pretty good for the stuff it covers and it has a lot of other interesting stuff in it about all of the local flora and fauna. Plus you can always just read it for fun, well maybe that's just me because I am a huge nature dork.
 
also to add to what pitdog said I would get a really good local book and take that into the field with you to id them and learn the plants. I take that info and add it to my general field guide, that I posted about above, so that I have my own notes in it.
 
It's a shame Collins Gem doesn't have one for there 'cos their Food For Free is a lovely little book for here. I'd probably have a look at this from heresthedeal's list. It does come across as well liked.
 
baldtaco-II said:
It's a shame Collins Gem doesn't have one for there 'cos their Food For Free is a lovely little book for here. I'd probably have a look at this from heresthedeal's list. It does come across as well liked.
Click to expand...

I've often thought that they should bring that book out for the different parts of the world....great little book as you said !
 
The very good point being made is that you definitely want to study plants of N. America or the U.S. but if you know what area you will actually use this knowledge then you need a local book or preferably a local guide to take you out and show you the good/bad plants of the area.
 
Many thanks to everyone. I am located in northern WV/southern Ohio. I am pretty good with plants. I go "sanging." I can identify Jewel weed for poison ivy. As a young hillbillly I was involved with the Boy Scouts. My Dad used to take us fishing and on hikes and point stuff out. I just wanted more in case poop ever hits the fan.
 
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