WIXLIB

9/15/2015Edible “Wild” Plants ofSoutheast OhioDr. Harvey BallardDepartment of Environmental &Plant Biology, Ohio UniversityWhy edible wild plants? EWPs are as nutritious as many crops(most edible herbs of fencerows, pasturesand garden edges are feral ancestors:Queen Anne’s Lace carrot gone wild) Truly “edible” plants foraged from the areajust as tasty as supermarket foods Are freely available Are fun to find and satisfying to use1

9/15/2015Key Principles for Safe Foraging #1—100% accuracy in identifying the plant #2—know which part is edible, and how toprepare it properly #3—know the season for edible parts #4—consider your foraging site (is it“safe”?) #5—be aware of your body’sidiosyncracies (e.g., allergies) #6—be adventurous, creative, HAVE FUN!GOOD BOOKSTO START WITHBoth ca. 12 from Amazon.com or your local bookstore2

9/15/2015Use with caution (or not at all)!! Day lily (Hemerocallis)—buds, cooked Pennyroyal (Hedeomapulegioides)—leaves, intea Sassafras (Sassafrasalbidum)—rhizome orbark, in tea [leaves areOK] Wild ginger (Asarumcanadense)—rhizome, inteaAmaranth, Pigweed(Amaranthus spp.) Weedy herb from tropicalAmerica in disturbed opensites, alternate untoothedleaves, branches with tinyflowers Younger shoots—steamedor boiled vegetable (spring,early summer)3

9/15/2015Bedstraw, Cleavers(Galium aparine) Forest herb, whorlsof 8 leaves, tiny 4lobed flowers,recurved hairs onstem Younger shoots—steamed or boiledvegetable (spring) “Lenten Pottage” ofGreat BritainBlack Locust(Robinia pseudoacacia) Tree, compoundleaves withuntoothed leaflets,drooping spikes ofwhite fragrantflowers Flower clusters—fritters (spring)4

9/15/2015Cattail(Typha) Aquatic herb, longslender leaves,slender “tiered”flower spikes Rhizome—raw,boiled, ground as“flour” (anytime) Inner stem basebefore flowering—raw, cooked(spring)Cattail(Typha) Young floweringspikes—boiled likecorn on the cob(spring) Pollen fromspikes—floursubstitute oradditive (spring)5

9/15/2015Chickory(Cichorium intybus) Weedy herb ofroadsides and otheropen sites, rosette ofjagged-edged leaves,milky sap, “flowers”pale blue with strapshaped “petals” Leaves beforeflowering—steamed orboiled vegetable (earlyspring)Dandelion(Taraxacum officinale) Weedy herb of lawnsand open sites, rosetteof jagged-edgedleaves, milky sap,yellow “flowers” withstrap-shaped “petals” Flower heads—wine(spring, summer)6

9/15/2015Dandelion(Taraxacum officinale) Inner crown beforeflowering—raw,salads, steamed orboiled vegetable(early spring) Leaves beforeflowering—steamed or boiledvegetable (earlyspring)Dandelion GreensGreenbrier, Blaspheme Vine(Smilax spp.) Mostly herbaceousvine with tendrils,unlobed leaves,often prickles Young tendershoots—raw orcooked (spring)7

9/15/2015Japanese Knotweed(Polygonum cuspidatum) Large herb of open sites,coarse stem, alternateheart-shaped leaves withbasal sheath, related torhubarb & buckwheat Young shoots—peeled,chopped, raw or cooked,used like “rhubarb” injam, pie (spring)Juneberry, Serviceberry(Amelanchier spp.) Small woodlandtrees or shrubs,unlobed finelytoothed leaves,white flowers, deeppurple berries Berry—raw orcooked (latespring, earlysummer)8

9/15/2015Mulberries(Morus alba & M. rubra) Shrub or smalltree, usuallyalternate lobedtoothed leaves,blackberry-likefruits Fruit—raw, pie orjam (late spring);not very tart, needsa little lemon juiceOstrich fern(Matteuccia struthiopteris) Large fern formingcolonies infloodplains &swamps, bladestapering at bothends Fiddleheads(unrolling youngshoots)—boiled asvegetable (spring)9

9/15/2015Plantain(Plantago spp.) Weedy herb ofroadsides,pastures and otheropen sites, tinyflowers along anupright stalk or in a“cone” on top Young leaves—blanched or boiled(early spring)Pokeberry, Poke Salad(Phytolacca americana) Weedy herb of opensites and gardens,coarse stem,alternate fleshyleaves, spikes ofpurple-black berries Young shoots—boiled in 2 changesof water forvegetable (spring)10

9/15/2015Sassafras(Sassafras albidum) Small tree of cutoverwoodlands, forestborders, leaves unlobedor lobed (sometimes“mitten” like), foliage &twigs spicy-aromatic Young leaves—”gumbofilé” dried & powderedfor thickening soups(spring); roots used fortea (use sparingly!)Stinging Nettle(Urtica dioica) Herb of open sites,alternate toothedleaves, stinginghairs on foliage Tips of youngshoots—steamedor boiled vegetable(spring) Collect with gloves!11

9/15/2015Violets(Viola sororia and kin) Forest and lawnherbs, rosette ofheart-shapedleaves, purpleflowers Young leaves—raw, steamed orboiled vegetable(early spring)Violets(Viola sororia and kin) Flowers (esp. purplespp.)—salad orpastry garnish, jelly,syrup (spring) Leaves are high invitamin C Jelly and syrup is abeautiful rose-violetcolor, tastes like fruitpunch12

9/15/2015Wild Roses(Rosa carolina, R. setigera) Thorny shrubs orvines, alternatecompound leaveswith toothedleaflets, pinkflowers, red berries Flower petals—jam(spring) Berry wo/seeds—jam, dried for “tea”(summer)SUMMER & FALL EDIBLES13

9/15/2015Amaranth, Pigweed(Amaranthus spp.) Seeds—roasted,used whole, orground into “flour”substitute(summer) Used extensivelyby prehistoricpeoples and NativeAmericansBlackberries, Dewberries,Raspberries (Rubus) Thorny shrubs,alternatecompound leaveswith toothedleaflets, whiteflower clusters,red/purplish fruits Fruit—various(summer)14

9/15/2015Black Cherry & Chokecherry(Prunus serotina & P. virginiana) Shrubs or trees offorests & edges,alternate toothedleaves, spikes ofwhite flowers, darkred berries Berry—nibble, jelly,pie, wine (latesummer)Black CherryChoke CherryBlack Walnut(Juglans nigra) Tree of forests,compound leaveswith toothedleaflets, large nuts,aromatic foliage Nutmeats—varioususes (late summer) Stronger flavorthan English Wear gloves !15

9/15/2015Blueberries & Huckleberry(Vaccinium & Gaylussacia baccata) Shrubs of acidicdry forests orswamps, alternateuntoothed/toothedleaves, urn-shapedflowers, blue orpurple-blackberries Berry—varioususes (late summer)HuckleberryBlueberryElderberry(Sambucus canadensis) Shrub, compoundleaves with toothedleaflets, flat-toppedbunches of whiteflowers, purpleblack berries Flowers—inpancakes (spring) Berry—pie, wine(summer)16

9/15/2015Grapes(Vitis spp.) Woody vine ofwoodlands and forestedges, tendrils, alternatelobed & toothed leaves,clusters of purple-blackberries Leaves—parboiled,stuffed (summer) Berry—wine, jelly, raw(summer)Ground Cherries(Physalis) Herbs of opensites, alternatetoothed leaves,umbrella-likeyellow flowers,“bladdery” fruitswith orange/redberry Berry—raw, jam,pie (summer)17

9/15/2015Hazelnut(Corylus americana) Woodland shrub,alternate toothedleaves, nutssurrounded bytoothed leaf-likebracts Nutmeat—various(summer)Hickory(Carya ovata) Tree, bark“shaggy”,compound leaveswith 5-7 toothedleaflets, nut withthick husk nutmeat—meal ornuts in pastries,boiled to pudding(summer)18

9/15/2015May Apple(Podophyllum peltatum) Forest herb, 1-2umbrella-like lobedleaves, singlewhite waxy flowerin crotch of 2leaves, goldenyellow egg-shapedberry Berry wo/seeds—jam, pie (summer)NOTE: Notfully ripe!!Oaks(Quercus) Trees, alternatelobed leaves, nutswith scaly “cup” Red oaks havebristle-tipped leaflobes (bitter nut,must leach); whiteoak leaves lackbristle-tips (sweet) Nutmeat—various(summer)grinding to mealcold leaching19

9/15/2015Pawpaw, Wild Banana(Asimina triloba) Small woodlandtree, alternateuntoothed leaves,6-petaled brownflowers (beforeleaves), yellowishelongate berries Berry wo/seeds—raw, jam, salsa, icecream (summer)Spicebush, Wild Allspice(Lindera benzoin) Woodland shrub,untoothed leaves, smallgreenish flowers in earlyspring, small red berriesin summer, perfumyaromatic foliage & twigs;related to Sassafras Dried & powderedberry—spice (summer)20

9/15/2015Sumacs(Rhus spp.) Shrubs or smalltrees, alternatecompound leaveswith toothed leaflets,conical clusters ofred fuzzy berries berry clusters—“pink lemonade”(summer), afterstraining extractWintergreen(Gaultheria procumbens) Short creepingwoodland shrub,urn-shapedflowers, bright redberries, all withwintergreen flavor Berry—raw, pie,jam, nibble(summer)21

9/15/2015“ANYTIME” EDIBLESBlackberries, Dewberries,Raspberries (Rubus) Dried leaves—”tea”(anytime), frequentin commercialblended herbalteas22

9/15/2015Chickory(Cichorium intybus) Taproot—roasted,ground as coffeesubstitute (anytime),a frequent ingredientin commercial coffeesubstitutesChickweed(Stellaria media) Weedy herb ofopen sites,opposite heartshaped leaves,small 5-petaledflowers Shoots—raw insalads, steamed orboiled vegetable(anytime)23

9/15/2015Dandelion(Taraxacum officinale) Taproot—roasted,ground as coffeesubstitute (anytime)Field Garlic(Allium vineale) Herb of lawns andfields, bulb forrootstock, slenderfleshy grass-likeleaves with “garlic”aroma, terminalcluster of bulbs &purplish flowers Peeled bulb—uselike garlic (anytime)24

9/15/2015Lamb’s Quarters(Chenopodium album) Weedy herb,alternate toothedleaves, branchesof tiny greenishflowers, tiny blackflattish seeds Use like Amaranth Close relative ofQuinoa, used sinceprehistoric timesPeppergrass(Lepidium) Weedy herb ofopen sites, narrowalternate toothedleaves, spikes oftiny 4-petaledflowers, round flatgreen fruits Any part—rawnibble, salads, etc.(anytime) “Peppery” flavor25

9/15/2015Peppermint & Spearmint(Mentha piperita & M. spicata) Herbs of open wetsites, squarestems, oppositetoothed leaves,foliage with mintyaroma shoots or leaves—nibble, in salad,flavoring, “tea”,jelly (anytime)PeppermintSpearmintPurslane, Pusley(Portulaca oleracea) Creeping weedyherb of open sites,fleshy stem andleaves, tiny singlegreen flowers Shoots—raw,salads, cooked,pickled (anytime) Used since ancienttimes for food26

9/15/2015Queen Anne’s Lace, Wild Carrot(Daucus carota) Weedy biennialherb of open sites,taproot and lacydissected leaveswith “carrot” smell,heads of many tinywhite flowers first-year taproot—use like carrot(anytime)Queen Anne’s Lace, Wild Carrot(Daucus carota) Leaves—dried, as“tea” (anytime) Seeds—dried, asspice or “tea”(summer)27

9/15/2015Sheep Sorrel(Rumex acetosella) Weedy herb ofopen sites, arrowshaped leaves withbasal sheath,terminal branchesof tiny reddishflowers Leaves—rawnibble, salads etc. Tangy flavorSpicebush, Wild Allspice(Lindera benzoin) Twigs—make fragranttea (anytime)28

9/15/2015Toothwort(Dentaria diphylla, D. laciniata) Small forest herb,2-3 alternatetoothed or dividedleaves, terminalcluster of 4-petaledflowers Rhizome—nibbleDentariaor iadiphyllaWild Onion(Allium canadense) Woodland herb,bulb for rootstock,slender fleshygrass-like leaveswith “onion” aroma,terminal cluster ofwhite flowers Peeled bulb andleaves—use likeonion (anytime)29

9/15/2015Wood Sorrel(Oxalis) Herb of forests andopen sites, threelobed “shamrock”leaves, 5-partedyellow or violetflowers Leaves—used likeSheep Sorrel Tangy flavor, for asmall nibbleWintergreen(Gaultheria procumbens) Leaf—dried, orfermented, as ”tea”(anytime)30