- Joined
- Apr 14, 2006
- Messages
- 7,020
It seems every day, pitdog posts another excellent hiking/wild edibles thread. Well, I, for one, am getting sick and tired of this biased overrepresentation of West Coast resources. Kgd has fought back with his current thread on scrumptious Basswood and Garlic Mustard offerings and, also, possibly Woods Walker's excellent wild edibles thread (although I'm not sure where he lives - 
!)
So it was with revenge in mind that I ventured forth on my first official old geezer's hike looking for local wild edibles
There seemed to be quite a bit, although most wasn't in the correct stage for eating.
The first thing I ran into was Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) AKA Indian Lemonade Tree, although not the best time for harvesting ( see kgd's thread). BTW, a workable wood for both drill and hearth for bow drill, although not the best.
The next was Garlic Mustard (Allium petiolata- aka- Alliaria officinalis - aka - Sisymbrium alliaria). kgd also covered this in his thread.
I have only eaten the leaves, so I'll have to try kgd/Thayer's recommendation. I found the leaves quite good, though.
The next one is Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum - AKA Yellow Fawn Lily, Adder's Tongue). This is also an edible plant (corm) but be careful. I met a guy, once, who developed anaphalaxis from eating this plant, and, fortunately, his wife was a nurse that recognized what was happening and managed to get him treated, successfully. Actually, this caution should be considered when trying any new plant.
Mayapple! Mostly this is a poisonous plant, but during a short period, when the fruit is ripe (yellow), it is supposedly edible (never tried it.). Here's the warning:
WARNINGS!: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE UNRIPE MAY APPLES OR ANY OTHER PART OF THE PLANT. Leaves and particularly the roots contain a resinous compound known as podophyllin that can cause violent cathartic reactions. Consumption of small quantities will produce severe gastric upset and vomiting. Death may occur from larger quantities. The fleshy pulp of the fruit is edible, although the seeds should not be eaten. (OL262) Apparently Mayapple is being investigated for it's medicinal qualities - IIRC, one possible application is for treating testicular cancer.
And, of course, proof positive that Spring has finally come to Southern Ontario - Trilliums!
Here's a great little trail nibble and seasoning for the Spring-time salad - Cut-leaved Toothwort (Dentaria laciniata)
Plants you should be wary of? Here's one - Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis - aka - Puccoon root, red-puccoon, red Indian paint, redroot, pauson, snake-bite ) Also a fairly early arrival in Spring.
A sad bit of wild edible business - the death of a mature Butternut (Juglans cinerea, aka White Walnut) tree. Apparently, a lot of Butternut trees are falling victim to a devastating fungus than may be capable of wiping out the species, at least in our area.
!)So it was with revenge in mind that I ventured forth on my first official old geezer's hike looking for local wild edibles
There seemed to be quite a bit, although most wasn't in the correct stage for eating.
The first thing I ran into was Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) AKA Indian Lemonade Tree, although not the best time for harvesting ( see kgd's thread). BTW, a workable wood for both drill and hearth for bow drill, although not the best.
The next was Garlic Mustard (Allium petiolata- aka- Alliaria officinalis - aka - Sisymbrium alliaria). kgd also covered this in his thread.
I have only eaten the leaves, so I'll have to try kgd/Thayer's recommendation. I found the leaves quite good, though.
The next one is Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum - AKA Yellow Fawn Lily, Adder's Tongue). This is also an edible plant (corm) but be careful. I met a guy, once, who developed anaphalaxis from eating this plant, and, fortunately, his wife was a nurse that recognized what was happening and managed to get him treated, successfully. Actually, this caution should be considered when trying any new plant.
Mayapple! Mostly this is a poisonous plant, but during a short period, when the fruit is ripe (yellow), it is supposedly edible (never tried it.). Here's the warning:
WARNINGS!: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE UNRIPE MAY APPLES OR ANY OTHER PART OF THE PLANT. Leaves and particularly the roots contain a resinous compound known as podophyllin that can cause violent cathartic reactions. Consumption of small quantities will produce severe gastric upset and vomiting. Death may occur from larger quantities. The fleshy pulp of the fruit is edible, although the seeds should not be eaten. (OL262) Apparently Mayapple is being investigated for it's medicinal qualities - IIRC, one possible application is for treating testicular cancer.
And, of course, proof positive that Spring has finally come to Southern Ontario - Trilliums!
Here's a great little trail nibble and seasoning for the Spring-time salad - Cut-leaved Toothwort (Dentaria laciniata)
Plants you should be wary of? Here's one - Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis - aka - Puccoon root, red-puccoon, red Indian paint, redroot, pauson, snake-bite ) Also a fairly early arrival in Spring.
A sad bit of wild edible business - the death of a mature Butternut (Juglans cinerea, aka White Walnut) tree. Apparently, a lot of Butternut trees are falling victim to a devastating fungus than may be capable of wiping out the species, at least in our area.
Last edited:
