Q&A for How to Find Wild Edible Plants

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  • Question
    Where can I get an edible-plant book?
    Community Answer
    Try Amazon or a local camping store.
  • Question
    Do you have some river camping survival tips?
    Community Answer
    Test the water before drinking it. Don't drink salt water either, and if you're not sure about river water, then boil it to kill germs.
  • Question
    What is the worst that could happen if I eat a non-edible plant?
    Community Answer
    You could die from eating certain toxic plants, although many would just make you very ill.
  • Question
    Do potatoes or carrots grow in the wild?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but these are not typically the types of edible plants you would find in the wild.
  • Question
    If I'm not sure if a plant is poisonous, can I boil it to make it safe?
    Community Answer
    You would have to boil it three times, discarding the water each time, replacing it with fresh water, and rinsing the plant.
  • Question
    Can the petals of a black eyed susan be eaten?
    Community Answer
    No, but the young stems can be cooked and eaten in the spring, or dried for later use.
  • Question
    What is the difference between pigweed and lambs quarter?
    Community Answer
    They are the same. Lambs quarters (Chenopodium album) is also known as pigweed, wild spinach or goosefoot, and is usually weeded out of the garden.
  • Question
    Can most of these plant be found in my backyard?
    Community Answer
    It depends on where you live, but very likely. I have found at least half of these plants just around my house.
  • Question
    How do I know if a plant is edible?
    Community Answer
    Use an edible wild plants guide for your region -- or get a local plant expert to go out and help identify them for you.
  • Question
    If bugs are on it is it still heathy?
    Community Answer
    A lot of the time, bugs will be on it. It doesn't necessarily mean it's unhealthy, as some bugs are helpful. Stay away or be cautious when the bugs seem to be eating or harming the plant.
  • Question
    How can I get my school into going green for a week?
    Community Answer
    Talk to a teacher and/or the principal about it and share your ideas. They might help you implement them.
  • Question
    How can we identify between edible and non edible plants?
    Community Answer
    The best thing to do is read all you can about all of the plants in your area. Ask an elder or someone who was born before phones. If you're close to them, you may even be able to get them to teach you to survive in the wild. If it wasn't on the list you probably should not eat it. Be sure to eat it the exact way listed above. Worst case scenario, if you don't remember anything on the list, just avoid white/light colored berries (really anything light in color). Your best bet is to eat dark colored berries. Another thing that would help is if you remember to avoid warning/neon colors.
  • Question
    Can I eat wild watermelon and oranges?
    Community Answer
    As long as you they've been verified as safe by a local expert and that no chemicals have been applied to them.
  • Question
    Is froebelii spirea edible?
    Community Answer
    No, it is not generally eaten.
  • Question
    What plants can I find in Britain easily and eat unprepared?
    Community Answer
    You can find many of the plants named above in Britain as well. There are are also bilberries, which are kind of like blueberries, pignuts, which are from the walnut family, and meadowsweet, which can be eaten raw or cooked.
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