Help with edible plants

L

LG&M

Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Messages
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I think it is about time I work on this skill. What books have you found helpful? I would like something with good photos to go with the information. Thanks
 
Yes, mine is eastern / Central North America 330 pages. Photos, drawings, growing seasons, where found etc etc. Good informative reading, and small enough to pack.
 
I live right on the line. If I go East I should be O.K. if I go West I might go hungry. (joke)
 
Just remember, plants are what real food eats! :D

All kidding aside, there is truth in the above statement.

The forementioned references are good, but you have to be real sure you know what you are eating, that is the right part, time of year, and prepared correctly - something many books do not cover very well. I would reach out to someone who knows local flora - try a state park, college, extention agent, etc. I have had the best luck from the old timers at state parks.
 
Mors Kochanski's plant walk videos are neat.

There is also a DVD called Free Food for Backpackers that doesn't cover a large amount of plants but it's pretty good.

Marty Simon also has an edible plant DVD that's pretty decent.
 
I didn't think about DVDs. It would be great to find some hands on help I will have to look into that. The only book I have is Tom Brown's I think the info is good but the pictures suck. Thanks for the ideas.
 
LG&M said:
I think it is about time I work on this skill. What books have you found helpful? I would like something with good photos to go with the information. Thanks
Click to expand...

It would help to know where you live as plants differ from one area to another.

Doc
 
pick 5 common wild plants/trees in your area. research there uses, IE, dived in to category's such as,
1 fire starting tinder or fuel
2 tools/weapons
3 food
4 medicine
5 shelter
Example: Cattail Pollen head, good fire starter, you can eat the pollen head and the new shoots, you can make mats and baskets out of the stalks,
There are other uses for cattail but right off it fits in to category's 1, 3, and 5.
Example: Oak tree Makes good clubs, bows, throwing sticks. good fuel. Bark can be boiled for an antiseptic wash. Bark can be used to tan leather. Acorn (with a lot of work) can be eaten. good poles for lentos. So an Oak tree go's in to all five category's.
By only picking 5 plants at a time its easy to remember what it is and what it is used for. When you know 5 pick 5 more.

Its more important to be able to find what you know how to use, than know a lot and not be able to find what you need!
 
That is a great idea. I thought of doing it many times... But I never did. I think/ hope with a good book this will be easier & I will be more confident about what I use.
 
bikermikearchery said:
pick 5 common wild plants/trees in your area. research there uses, IE, dived in to category's such as,
1 fire starting tinder or fuel
2 tools/weapons
3 food
4 medicine
5 shelter
Example: Cattail Pollen head, good fire starter, you can eat the pollen head and the new shoots, you can make mats and baskets out of the stalks,
There are other uses for cattail but right off it fits in to category's 1, 3, and 5
Click to expand...

Hey bikermikearchery,

Good advice.

Cattail also fits in 2 and 4, and you can use the flower head stalk as a hand drill (not easy to find a good one, though) for friction fire. Category 2, Cattail flower stalks can be used as composite, light weight arrow shafts, there was also some discussion about the pollen being used to blind opponents by throwing it in their faces (eyes), Cattail can be used to make light weight cordage that can take knots (knots being a tool). As far as 4 goes, the slimy material found down between the leaves was used as an antiseptic, coagulant and local anesthetic, at least according to Tom Brown Jr. (I haven't tried it yet) and some other uses such as a Poison Ivy treatment.

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Hey bikermikearchery,

, Cattail flower stalks can be used as composite, light weight arrow shafts,

Doc
Click to expand...

I picked Cattails as an example because it is so useful, a true wonder plant and easy to find. But I'd have to argue this one.(In a friendly way) Been making archery equipment for 27 years As well as atlatl's and other primitive weapons. Made lots and lots of arrows from natural material, and I have never found a Cattail stalk that had the spine-stiffness for arrows. Not if you want to hit anything with a bow that would do damage any way.
 
bikermikearchery said:
I picked Cattails as an example because it is so useful, a true wonder plant and easy to find. But I'd have to argue this one.(In a friendly way) Been making archery equipment for 27 years As well as atlatl's and other primitive weapons. Made lots and lots of arrows from natural material, and I have never found a Cattail stalk that had the spine-stiffness for arrows. Not if you want to hit anything with a bow that would do damage any way.
Click to expand...

Hey bikermikearchery,

Perhaps I should have spoken with personal experience, which I didn't, but Ron Hood makes (lightweight) composite arrow shafts in his weapons video.

And I think (I guess I'll have to try it) that it would be strong enough for close range birds.

Doc
 
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