Transcript Wilderness Survival

Wilderness Survival
Edible Plants
LAMB’S QUARTER
CHENOPODIUM ALBUM
Lamb’s Quarter is one of the
earliest spring plants. Both the
leaves and seeds are edible.
Most people consider this plant
to be a weed, since it grows in
gardens and crowds out other
plants. Because Lamb's
Quarters does not have
beautiful flowers, it is not
wanted by most gardeners.
LADY FERN
ATHYRIUM FILIX-FEMINA
Lady ferns grow in
the deciduous forests
of North America.
The young
fiddleheads can
eaten in the spring—
boiled like asparagus.
BROADLEAF WOODLAND ASTER
Aster macrophyllus
This, deciduous ground cover
has heart-shaped leaves that
turn mauve in autumn. Purple,
blue, or white flowers appear
in late summer to early fall.
Native to woods of eastern
North America, the leaves can
be gathered in early spring and
eaten like spinach while the
roots can be cooked to make a
starchy soup.
SWEET FERN
Comptonia peregrina
Not a fern, but a low,
deciduous, rhizomatous
shrub that grows 1'-4'
tall. It is native to
eastern North America.
They give off a sweet
odor. Its leaves can be
dried and brewed to
make a tea.
COMMON MULLEIN
Verbascum thapsus
Found in poor fields and
waste places common
mullein is considered a
weed. It is biennial that
produces flowers the
second year. The leaves
can be dried and
steeped for tea. The
tuberous roots can be
boiled and eaten like
potatoes.
STAGHORN SUMAC
Rhus typhina
Staghorn sumac is a deciduous,
large shrub to small tree that can
attain a height of 30-35 feet.
Compact clusters of greenishyellow flowers form round, red,
hairy fruits that mature from
August to September. The berries
can be bruised and steeped in
cold water to make a lemonyflavored drink.
COMMON DANDELION
Taraxacum officinale
Dandelions are found in sunny,
open fields, lawns and roadsides.
The leaves can be eaten from
spring through fall, though they are
best in early spring before they
flower and in late fall when they
are less bitter. Leaves can be
boiled or sauted The flower buds
and yellow petals can also be
boiled and eaten. The long tap
roots can also be boiled and eaten.
COMMON CATTAIL
Typha latifolia
Common Cattails are a familiar
sight along ditches and
shorelines. All parts of the cattail
are edible. The shoots can be
peeled, boiled and eaten in
spring before the flowers form.
The top part of the immature
flower head and the roots can
be boiled and eaten; however
harvesting the roots can be very
messy.
Wood Violet
Viola sororia
The state flower of Wisconsin is
known by several common
names. Beyond its use as a
common lawn and garden plant,
Viola sororia has historically
been used for food and for
medicine. The flowers and leaves
are edible, and some sources
suggest the roots can also be
eaten. The Cherokee used it to
treat colds and headaches.