Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xi
Foreword Malcolm McNeil 1
Introduction 4
Types of Environments 4
Scope of This Book 5
Organization 5
Collecting and Harvesting Wild Foods 6
How Much Wild Food Is Out There, Anyway? 9
Are Wild Foods Nutritious? 11
Ferns 15
Bracken Family (Dennstaedtiaceae) 16
Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) 16
Gymnosperms 19
Pine Family (Pinaceae) 20
Pine (Pinus spp.) 20
Magnoliids 23
Laurel Family (Lauraceae) 24
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) 24
Eudicots 27
Muskroot Family (Adoxaceae) 28
Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) 28
High-bush Cranberry (Viburnum spp.) 31
Amaranth Family (Amaranthaceae) 33
Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) 33
Sumac Family (Anacardiaceae) 36
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) 36
Carrot (or Parsley) Family (Apiaceae) 39
Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) 39
Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum, formerly H. lanatum) 42
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) 44
Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae) 47
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) 47
Pipevine Family (Aristolochiaceae) 51
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) 51
Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) 53
Group 4 53
Burdock (Arctium minus) 53
Thistle (Cirsium spp.) 56
Group 5 58
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) 58
Group 7 62
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) 62
Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola, et al.) 64
Sow Thistle (Soncbus oleraceus, et al.) 66
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) 69
Salsify (Tragopogon spp.) 71
Group 9 75
Common Sunflower (Helianthus annus) 75
Group 12 78
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) 78
Group 13 81
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) 81
Barberry Family (Berberidaceae) 84
Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) 84
Birch Family (Betulaceae) 86
Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) 86
Mustard Family (Brassicaceae) 88
Mustard (Brassica spp.) 88
Sea Rocket (Cakile edentula and C. maritima) 91
Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) 94
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) 96
Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum and S. officinale) 99
Cactus Family (Cactaceae) 102
Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) 102
Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae) 106
Chickweed (Stellaria media) 106
Goosefoot Family (Chenopodiaceae) 110
Lamb's Quarter, White and Green (Chenopodium album and C. murale) 111
Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus) 114
Heath Family (Ericaceae) 117
Huckleberry and Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) 117
Oak Family (Fagaceae) 121
Oak Tree (Quercus spp.) 121
Geranium Family (Geraniaceae) 126
Filaree (Erodium cicutarium) 126
Gooseberry Family (Grossulariaceae) 129
Currants and Gooseberries (Ribes spp.) 129
Witch Hazel Family (Hamamelidaceae) 132
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) 132
Walnut Family (Juglandaceae) 135
Black Walnut (Juglans spp.) 135
Mint Family (Lamiaceae) 138
Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) 138
Mint (Mentha spp.) 140
Mallow Family (Malvaceae) 143
Mallow (Malva neglecta) 143
Mulberry Family (Moraceae) 146
Mulberry (Morus spp.) 146
Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae) 149
Evening Primrose (Oenothera spp.) 149
Pokeweed family (Phytolaccaceae) 152
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) 152
Plantain Family (Plantaginaceae) 157
Plantain (Plantago major and P. lanceolata) 157
Veronica, aka Speedwell (Veronica americana) 160
Buckwheat Family (Polygonaceae) 162
Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) 162
Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) 164
Purslane Family (Portulacaceae) 167
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) 167
Rose Family (Rosaceae) 171
Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia, and six other spp. of Amelanchier) 171
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) 173
Strawberry (Fragaria spp.) 175
Apple and Crabapple (Mains spp.) 178
Wild Cherries/Stone Fruits (Primus spp.) 181
Wild Rose (Rosa spp.) 184
Nightshade Family (Solanaceae) 190
Black Nightshade (Solarium nigrum) 190
Nettle Family (Urticaceae) 193
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) 193
Violet Family (Yiolaceae) 197
Violet (Viola spp.) 197
Monocots 199
Water Plantain Family (Alismataceae) 200
Wapato (Sagittaria spp.) 200
Onion (or Garlic) Family (Alliaceae) 203
Wild Onions (Allium spp.) 203
Asparagus Family (Asparagaceae) 207
Wild Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) 207
Grass Family (Poaceae) 209
Cattail Family (Typhaceae) 213
Cattail (Typha spp.) 213
Other Edibles 216
Getting Started: Exploring the Fascinating World of Wild Plants 218
Test Your Knowledge of Plants 221
Vie Dozen Easiest to Recognize, Most Widespread, Most Versatile Wild Foods of Maryland, Virginia, and the DC Area 225
Staff Of 'Life: Best Wild-Food Bread Sources 228
Sweet Tooth: Best Wild-Food Sugars and Desserts 231
Useful References 234
Index 236
About the Author 243
