Trying some wild edibles

[lowery399]

So after seeing mistwalker's post on wild edibles I looked around and found what I thought was Queen Anne's lace in my yard so I decided to try it.

I picked a few that looked like they might be it and hoped that it didn't end up being Hemlock.......

Then I tried to figure out which part of the plant that I should try to eat.

I got my daughter to help because she really wants to do everything that daddy does right now. I figured this would help her learn how to start handling a knife.

Then we decided to skin the outer part of the bottom root off.

After that I found that the outer skin was the softer piece, and it was the part that smelled most like a carrot, so we ended up eating some of it. The inner part was just like trying to eat a stick and it was really tough but the outer skin, the softer part, was not bad and it was fairly easy to chew. I guess if you had to live off of it then it would be acceptable but it sure isn't a real carrot!

 

[gutsy]

Awesome pics Lowery ! Everything is coming in now everywhere you turn and so far it looks like we are going to have more blackberries than we've ever had .

 

[gutsy]

nice 11 btw . its a good knife for that kind of stuff.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

So after seeing mistwalker's post on wild edibles I looked around and found what I thought was Queen Anne's lace in my yard so I decided to try it.
I picked a few that looked like they might be it and hoped that it didn't end up being Hemlock.......

First of all, that little purple flower in the centre of the umbel confirms it's Wild Carrot / Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) although not all have it. (ETA - at least I'm not aware of any other umbel plants that have this little purple flower, in my area, in any case.

Secondly, IMHO people who are relatively new to plant identification and wild foods should absolutely stay away from any plants that have an umbel (the shape of the flower head - n. an inflorescence in which a number of flower stalks or pedicels, nearly equal in length, spread from a common center. - kind of looks like an umbrella). There are just too much chance of an misidentification. And it's not just Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and Water Hemlocks (Cicuta spp.) of the umbel-type plants that can cause a problem.

You eat the wrong plant and YOU CAN DIE!!!!! I can't stress this enough.

The other thing is that if the interest in wild plant food is survival related, for the most part, it's a waste of time- generally, the amount of calories expended is greater than the amount realized, and this is assuming it's the right time of year, at the right stage of growth, sufficient quantities and biodiversity etc. Much more productive to hone trapping/hunting/fishing skills - you can survive on an all-critter diet.

lowery, this is not specifically directed at you, but at all those who have an interest in wild plant edibles.

Many years ago, my daughter and I were about to munch down on some wild grapes (Vitis spp.) and just before doing so, I realized something was wrong - the vine was actually Canada Moonseed (Menispermum canadense) - good thing my memory kicked in, in time. Also a good reinforcement on plant ID safety.

Don't get me wrong, wild plant foods can be a rewarding pursuit, but take the time to learn to properly identify them. Also, spend the time and learn the wild poisons as well.

An incident that underscored the lack of caution some people have with regards to wild plant foods: after a wild food hike I was on, I was talking to the instructor and he said that he probably wasn't going to do them anymore. When I asked him why, he said that during the hike, somebody had come up to him with a handful of berries, some of which he was munching on, and asked him what they were. It turns out they were Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), so he probably wouldn't die but would be spending extended time on the porcelain pedestal.

Another thing - just because a particular plant is safe for me to use, doesn't mean it is for you. You could be hypersensitive to it. And if you think I'm exaggerating, think about what peanut butter can do to some kids.

Please, always be 100% positive of the identification of any plant that you're going to use as a food or medicine. ETA - remember the final responsibility for determining the safety and suitability of using any wild plant, for any purpose, is yours. In other words, you eat it, you get sick, it's your fault and let's not forget the plants that can cause dermatitis and/or blindess from contact.

RANT OFF

Doc

 

[lowery399]

First of all, that little purple flower in the centre of the umbel confirms it's Wild Carrot / Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) although not all have it.

Secondly, IMHO people who are relatively new to plant identification and wild foods should absolutely stay away from any plants that have an umbel (the shape of the flower head - n. an inflorescence in which a number of flower stalks or pedicels, nearly equal in length, spread from a common center. - kind of looks like an umbrella). There are just too much chance of an misidentification. And it's not just Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and Water Hemlocks (Cicuta spp.) of the umbel-type plants that can cause a problem.

You eat the wrong plant and YOU CAN DIE!!!!! I can't stress this enough.

The other thing is that if the interest in wild plant food is survival related, for the most part, it's a waste of time- generally, the amount of calories expended is greater than the amount realized, and this is assuming it's the right time of year, at the right stage of growth, sufficient quantities and biodiversity etc. Much more productive to hone trapping/hunting/fishing skills - you can survive on an all-critter diet.

lowery, this is not specifically directed at you, but at all those who have an interest in wild plant edibles.

Many years ago, my daughter and I were about to munch down on some wild grapes (Vitis spp.) and just before doing so, I realized something was wrong - the vine was actually Canada Moonseed (Menispermum canadense) - good thing my memory kicked in, in time. Also a good reinforcement on plant ID safety.

Don't get me wrong, wild plant foods can be a rewarding pursuit, but take the time to learn to properly identify them. Also, spend the time and learn the wild poisons as well.

An incident that underscored the lack of caution some people have with regards to wild plant foods: after a wild food hike I was on, I was talking to the instructor and he said that he probably wasn't going to do them anymore. When I asked him why, he said that during the hike, somebody had come up to him with a handful of berries, some of which he was munching on, and asked him what they were. It turns out they were Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), so he probably wouldn't die but would be spending extended time on the porcelain pedestal.

Another thing - just because a particular plant is safe for me to use, doesn't mean it is for you. You could be hypersensitive to it. And if you think I'm exaggerating, think about what peanut butter can do to some kids.

Please, always be 100% positive of the identification of any plant that you're going to use as a food or medicine.

RANT OFF

Doc

Thanks..............I think.

 

[lowery399]

I found a few more edibles on the property today that I thought I would look at and try.........

First up appears to be the onion flowers

Then I ran across some good old blackberry bushes.....

And finally I noticed some buds on my Bradford pears..........I can't really find any strong evidence support if you can or can't eat them. There seems to be arguments for both sides on this one.