tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974414910867971622024-03-15T11:19:59.683-05:00Foraging TexasYou are surrounded by edible and medicinal plants, both wild and landscaping! Become a forager and know what your ancestors knew to keep you and your family fed and healthy.Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-75505028386412331322020-10-02T20:49:00.002-05:002020-10-02T20:49:24.468-05:00<p> </p>
<iframe width="480" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fwkgHUpvYLk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comTexas, USA31.9685988 -99.90181313.6583649638211533 -135.0580631 60.278832636178848 -64.7455631tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-13211519381014547602020-08-09T12:45:00.013-05:002024-01-01T18:07:19.965-06:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcChBTwEGEE41yEyuAzaOUFrZ3zPRTYxb1On1J3RZhbhTW_MbAmQrsChxlDCZmNfISzQO7ryKmR3sVNzbzFINOQgOhjkfGS7MEznePfI3v2w5uXKj6uMFIYKSpWVEcWCzR7RKzubB9ENMFiFqlWmlK4GCmDxIrzY1to9kdj5TzE9bUvDJcYBzMwBRXx0Y/s1888/Foraging%20Teas%20Guide.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Foraging Texas Guide" border="0" data-original-height="1888" data-original-width="1568" height="698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcChBTwEGEE41yEyuAzaOUFrZ3zPRTYxb1On1J3RZhbhTW_MbAmQrsChxlDCZmNfISzQO7ryKmR3sVNzbzFINOQgOhjkfGS7MEznePfI3v2w5uXKj6uMFIYKSpWVEcWCzR7RKzubB9ENMFiFqlWmlK4GCmDxIrzY1to9kdj5TzE9bUvDJcYBzMwBRXx0Y/w495-h698/Foraging%20Teas%20Guide.png" width="495" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-87968769279874854752020-08-09T12:30:00.002-05:002023-12-22T23:43:37.587-06:00Foraging Ethics<span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Respect the law.</span> You must have permission from the property owner to collect plant matter. To forage without permission is considered stealing and you can be arrested. Most state and federal land prohibit gathering plants except in survival situations. Illegally harvesting plants can result in fines and even loss of park privileges. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Respect the land.</span> Leave no trace. Fill your holes, pack out your garbage (and garbage left by others), don't hack/slash/smash/burn your way through nature. Don't harvest a plant if there are just a few around. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Respect the plant.</span> Please harvest sustainably so that there will be plenty of plants year after year. I've coded each plant with an Abundance tag which are defined as follows:<br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>
Invasive - harvest ALL of it</div><div>Plentiful - harvest up to 50% of this plant from the location</div><div>
Common - harvest up to 30% of this plant from the location</div><div>
Uncommon - harvest up to 10% of this plant from the location</div><div>
Rare - harvest only in an emergency or one small bit to taste</div><div>
Very Rare - harvest only in a dire emergency </div></blockquote><div>
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Also, don't strip all the leaves from one plant, just take 1 shoot or 2-3 leaves from many plants. Minimize damage to the plants by cutting leaves off the plant with a sharp knife or shears rather than tearing them off. Harvest inner bark using long, thin vertical strips on one side of the tree, do not cut a ring all around the tree which will kill it. Sterilize your cutting tools with alcohol or bleach to prevent transfer of diseases. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Respect yourself.</span> Please positively identify any plant before eating it. Eating the wrong plant can lead to illness or in rare circumstances, even death. Also be aware of any environmental hazards in your foraging location such as snakes, bears, or chemical hazards from old oil fields, roadways, lead paint around old buildings or areas subject to flooding from sewers.</div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-52601584703384558142020-08-09T12:00:00.005-05:002024-03-07T22:13:14.020-06:00Supporting Foraging Texas<p><span style="font-size: large;">Foraging Texas is a labor of love...but love, as you know, extracts a cost. If y'all feel this foraging information has helped you there are several ways you can help give back in return.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3DR7GUBF6KHV2?ref_=wl_share">Send me something from My Amazon Wishlist</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><a href="https://medicinemanplantco.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Purchased a Medicine Man Plant Co. (my company) product:</span></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitf1nn5a15l4PEYubrIXiDwMAZmwIiXNua1G0d8GnJRBIbegAr7zTfh1ysln9P3mOdsVTpzBp6XDZqwu2sfNmHB9-3Hyri2eU9Hcm-ECMfpPyAQWs22-RvFURcBLp-4wFwpDxJr-hCJQCNlD6nEHZqE-UY-1CyTQK8KQzpRFR6xnJOJRWuwiIRZUfcXfqx/s2322/Bottles.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2322" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitf1nn5a15l4PEYubrIXiDwMAZmwIiXNua1G0d8GnJRBIbegAr7zTfh1ysln9P3mOdsVTpzBp6XDZqwu2sfNmHB9-3Hyri2eU9Hcm-ECMfpPyAQWs22-RvFURcBLp-4wFwpDxJr-hCJQCNlD6nEHZqE-UY-1CyTQK8KQzpRFR6xnJOJRWuwiIRZUfcXfqx/s320/Bottles.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3sMT65u" target="_blank">Purchase my book Outdoor Adventures Guide Foraging</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3sMT65u" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4TFsD4SWSKawV28Ek60vDhSDJWnt6zJqVao4EWDXBqTGm_52Kzg0d8Eww9zQdagxdNvJEyNLmuspNOtCKO-BeDLnH2rvFVVyumPQLGfR9VvYAANkv8O7UJX6xQkau71_vvan24JMojqDcMhgKoFIXfMqpNwaMS7hMHPYHyTSYWtjQ_-hbwkQn-4Zcg/s320/Mark%20Vorderbruggen%20Foraging.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></span></div><a href="https://amzn.to/3sMT65u" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3sMT65u" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3sMT65u" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://wazoosurvivalgear.com/products/foraging-bandana?aff=foragetx" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Purchase the Wazoo/Merriwether Foraging Bandana</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-top: 1em;"><a href="https://wazoosurvivalgear.com/products/foraging-bandana?aff=foragetx" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-95TEDrRVWLxmQgiRIGhkob9ROxM-Hf3D7N_QDaZytnurKBQAOyZMEbutjQ5NhI2LhZ_VPhKMuPp8FfZmDPIvXDme_BVHF-NRE0C5DcGv0tOQYxNc5zoD8JmYUlW98STtI0MlblPluA9X/w210-h210/Foraging+Bandana+EDIT+Round+3.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Buy Foraging Texas<span class="text_exposed_show"> clothing or gear from <a data-blogger-escaped-target="_blank" href="https://www.cafepress.com/foragingtexas">CafePress Foraging Texas</a></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-32142684528856017742020-08-05T08:29:00.014-05:002023-12-22T23:46:43.241-06:00Legally Foraging in Texas<b>Public places to forage legally are somewhat limited in Texas. </b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>You are NOT allowed to pick plants or mushrooms from city parks, state parks, national parks, city nature trails, nature preserves, state historic sites, or any other "public" property without permission.</b></div><div><b><u>Fines for illegally harvesting plants or mushrooms start at $500 and can go to $2100.</u></b></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>You can harvest the above-ground part of plants from Texas roadsides. You can not dig up plants.</li><li>You are allowed to harvest 1 gallon of mushrooms per person per day, for private use only, in the four National Forests of Texas - <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/about-forest/districts/?cid=fswdev3_008443" target="_blank">Sam Houston NF</a>, <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/about-forest/districts/?cid=fswdev3_008441" target="_blank">Davy Crockett NF</a>, <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/about-forest/districts/?cid=fswdev3_008439" target="_blank">Angelina NF,</a> and <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/about-forest/districts/?cid=fswdev3_008442" target="_blank">Sabine NF</a>. You can not pick other plants without first getting a park ranger's permission.</li><li>You can harvest 1 pint of fruit, nuts, or berries per person per day for personal use from the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/index.htm" target="_blank">Big Thicket National Preserve</a>.</li><li>You can harvest plants from private property with the landowner's permission. You can find a list of HipCamp.com campsites and other <a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/p/private-properties-allowing-foraging.html">private properties which allow foraging </a><b><i><a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/p/private-properties-allowing-foraging.html">HERE</a>.</i></b></li></ol><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8CHQOkiJuMg" title="YouTube video player" width="540"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-54994084881710994772012-11-19T21:53:00.000-06:002017-12-17T18:40:02.983-06:00Benefits of Foraging<i>Solvitur ambulando, St. Jerome was fond of saying. "To solve a problem, walk around." <br />
~Gregory McNamee</i><br />
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I forage, which means I walk. It means I bend, stretch, and dig. It means I constantly have access fresh, vitamin packed foods that cost no money. It means I bond with my family, friends, neighbors and complete strangers. This bonding expands past my community and into the heart of nature, whose rhythms I must follow to find the foods I seek.<br />
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Foraging requires walking. Often lots of walking, usually while carrying stuff. It also requires bending (usually lots of bending!) digging stuff, climbing stuff, shaking stuff, and occasionally running from stuff. In Texas summers, foraging means carrying lots of heavy water with me as I hunt the wild edibles. The physical labor of foraging greatly surpasses that of pushing a shopping cart down a grocery store aisle! Because of this and also due to the nature of plants themselves, I often burn more calories than I gather when foraging...which isn't a bad thing. <br />
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The domestication of plants changed them at a genetic level. They have been bred to remain fresh-looking, resistant to shipping damage, and have a mild flavor, as well as be convenient to harvest and store. In return, these well-trained plants gave up much of their best nutritional compounds. Meanwhile, wild plants have to fight every minute of every day to stay alive. To help them in these battles they load themselves up with a huge selection of chemical warfare agents...agents that we refer to as vitamins, minerals, flavanoids, lycopenes, anti-oxidants and many other beneficial compounds. As I usually harvest and eat the plants within a few hours, they are much, much fresher than any store-bought and even farmer's market-bought foods.<br />
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Foragers are the only ones who truly can get a free lunch. My backyard, with nothing more than removing the grass beneath a few pruned branches on which birds perch, has brought forth amaranth, lamb's quarter, dollarweed, chickweed, dandelions, cat's ear, purslane, sow thistle, dwarf palmetto, scarlet pimpernel, pony's foot, and many other edible "weeds". I bought no seed. No water, fertilizer, or pesticides are needed. These plants thrive on neglect, as any gardener could tell you. And at mealtime they are ready and waiting for me and my family. Is there any better food security than this?<br />
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But my yard is not big enough to supply all my family's needs. Every evening my two daughters and I walk around the neighborhood and we see lots of wild edibles. Texas law forbids harvesting any plant material from property you do not own without the owner's permission. To be a ethical forager here in Texas means you need to talk to people. It's easy to talk to other family members or friends to ask if you can harvest the spiderwort in their flower beds. It takes much more effort (and charm!) to knock on a stranger's door to ask if you and your children may have the white clover heads from their yard. Over time, we've talked with just about everyone in the surrounding five blocks and while some think I'm crazy, most welcome me and the knowledge I bring. Inadvertently through constant talking with everyone, I became the neighborhood "connector". When Rick needed to a particular tool I knew Bob had, I got the two of them together. When a new family on the block had to leave town for an unexpected emergency, I hooked them up with a trustworthy pet sitter. By the time hurricane Ike hit our neighborhood, most people already knew each other and happily worked together to clean up the wreckage.<br />
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Gardeners often talk about their joy of bonding with "nature" but I just smile at that statement. To me, gardeners seem more often at war with nature than bonding with Her. They plant plants that couldn't possibly survive in the wild. They tear up the plants nature gives them. They spread both poisons and fertilizers. They rely on a faucet rather than rain. The main contacts they have with nature is sunburn and mosquito bites.<br />
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Without looking at an iPhone app can you tell me what phase the moon will be tonight? With foraging, as the seasons pass new plants become available on nature's schedule, not mine. I needed to learn nature's cycles to find the plants I wanted. But not just the seasonal cycles, but also the relationships between nature and Her plant gifts. Sun, shade, woods, fields, river banks, sandy soil, clay soils...all these influenced what plants would grow in a particular location. As I wrapped myself deeper in this web I saw more and more relationships...for instance, up in the Sam Houston National Forest I discovered that wherever there was sassafras one would also find bull nettle. No plant book has ever mentioned these two plants grow together, yet they do.<br />
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And deeper still. The secret to learning edible wild plants is to first identify the plant then search the literature to see if it is edible. In the way you eventually learn most of the plants in your environment, edible or not. As you are out looking at plants you will also find bugs, tracks, and scat. Natural curiosity will drive you to identify these discoveries. Being outside as much as foragers are leads to a heightened weather-sense over time, too. Clouds, wind, and the actions of some insects, animals and plants can all be used to tell what sort of weather is close at hand. <br />
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As a forager, eventually you stop getting your entertainment from tv but rather from the sky, the ground, and the people around you. Your physical health improves due to getting exercise and better nutrition. Your mental health improves because you are surrounded by friends, laughter, and having a sense of belonging. Your finances improve because your foods are free. Your sense of security improves because you no longer are completely dependent on others (farmers, shippers, stores) for all your food. What's not to love?Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-90526720474390595032012-11-18T21:26:00.000-06:002020-04-30T21:39:19.549-05:00Foraging for CaloriesLet's talk about finding calories in the woods for a bit. Most vitamins and minerals are easy to come by from edible wild plants but calories are a lot more difficult. There's a basic rule of thumb which states that while at rest your body will consume calories equal to ten times your body weight. If you are working hard this can jump up to twenty times your weight (find your calorie requirements <a href="http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/CalRequire.html">here</a>).<br />
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I'm 6'5" and 230 pounds (yeah, 25lbs overweight). To meet my energy needs to make it through a hard day backpacking I'll need 20 x 200 = 4,000 calories. Food-wise how much is this?<br />
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Snickers Bar...........136 calories per oz<br />
Peanut butter..........168 calories per oz<br />
Whole wheat flour......97 calories per oz<br />
Baked potato (plain)...26 calories per oz<br />
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A regular Snickers Bar is 2oz, so I'd need to eat FOURTEEN of them to fuel myself. I kind of like the sound of that, though the resulting dentistry bills would suck. What if I eat something healthier like potatoes? A large, plain baked potato weighs about 10oz, so I'd need to eat FIFTEEN of them.<br />
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I don't want to carry fifteen potatoes per day when I'm out in the woods.<br />
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So, what about wild edibles?<br />
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Acorns................112 calories per oz<br />
Pecans................197 calories per oz<br />
Apple..................15 calories per oz<br />
Cattail tuber..........19 calories per oz<br />
Blackberries...........12 calories per oz<br />
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Nuts are definitely the main source of non-animal-based calories in the wild. I would need to eat 35oz (2.2 lbs) of acorn nut meat, which means collecting somewhat more than that weight of acorns as I need to shell, crush, then extract the tannin from them before eating. Pecans do much better, I'd only need to eat 20oz of shelled pecan nut meat.<br />
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But nuts are only available for a short time. What about berries or some sort of tuber? Unfortunately, these have approximately 1/5 the calories of nuts. One of most common sources of calories in the woods are greenbrier roots. They have slightly fewer calories than potatoes so I'm going to have to dig up around ten pounds of them which is time consuming and hard. Plus they don't taste very good. Cattail tubers are easier to dig but give even less calories than greenbrier. Berries give still fewer calories, I'd need to find twenty pounds of them to meet my energy needs. <br />
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Most of us have some built-in fat reserves to get us through short periods of famine. However it does not take long for irritability, confusion, and weakness to set in when the body is deprived of its necessary calories. For more information on the effects of starvation I recommend reading <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/135/6/1347" target="_blank">They Starved So That Others Be Better Fed: Remembering Ancel Keys and the Minnesota Experiment </a> </span>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-28090575025497267272012-11-16T21:37:00.002-06:002023-12-01T16:28:06.705-06:00Acorn - Oak<b>Scientific Name:</b> Quercus spp.<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> common<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> nuts <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> leach out tannins with lots of water then grind to flour, roast nuts then grind for coffee<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> oaks (white, red, live, burr, post, pin, etc)<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> fall<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> protein, minerals, fats and carbohydrates<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Other uses:</span> tanning leather<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers:</span> very bitter if not tannic acid isn't leached<br />
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Medicinal Summary:</b><br />
Galls - astringent, hemostatic; antibacterial; antifungal, may reduce symptoms of Parkinson's disease (tisane)<br />
Acorns - astringent (tisane)<br />
Bark - astringent (tisane)<br />
<br /><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>Simple, alternate leaves along the stems.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>Highly variable, ranging from lobed to unlobed, depending on the oak species.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Color: </b>Green foliage, with variations in shades.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Margin: </b>Leaf margins can be entire or serrated, depending on the species.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>Inconspicuous , small, green flowers in the form of catkins.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Flower Size: </b>Individual flowers are typically very small, less than 0.25 inches.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Fruit (Acorns): </b>Acorns are the distinctive fruit of oaks, varying in size from 0.5 to 2 inches.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Seed Size: </b>Seeds within acorns vary in size, usually less than 1 inch.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Bark: </b>Bark color and texture vary among oak species, often becoming rougher and deeply furrowed with age.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Height: </b>Oak trees can range widely in height, from 40 to 100 feet or more.</div><div><br /></div><br />
Acorns<br />
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Bur oak acorns are the biggest at over 1" across.<br />
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Shelled acorns.<br />
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These are the oak flowers (on catkins) that eventually become acorns.<br />
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Assorted oak leaves. <br />
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Bur oak leaf.<br />
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An oak gall, created by chemical warfare between a type of wasp and the oak tree.<br />
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Stately oak trees can grow over 100’ tall and hundreds of feet in diameter under ideal conditions. Their bark ranges from smooth to deeply fissured. Branches tend to give oak trees a round or oblong shape. They usually prefer full sun and loose, well drain soils but with fifteen different species to choose from in Texas along, there’s a good chance you’ll find an oak somewhere nearby.<br />
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The calorie-laden acorns of oaks have supplied fats, oils, and protein to mankind for thousands of years. A one ounce (28.3g) serving of shelled acorn meat contains about 110 calories in the form of 6.8g of fats and 1.7g of protein, plus a small amount of calcium. Acorns can be ground into a gluten-free, high-protein flour good for making flat breads and batter-style baked goods as well as to thicken stews and to make gravy. Roasted acorns have been used as a substitute for coffee grounds, but all that can be said about that is the resulting liquid is brown and bitter, any similarity to it and coffee is strictly due to the desperation of the brewer.<br />
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Acorn must have their tannic acid leached out before consumption. Luckily tannic acid is very water-soluble and easy leach out by placing the shelled, crushed nuts in a mesh bag then submersing them in running water for several days. An easier method is to coarsely chop them in a blender or food processor then repeatedly running them through a coffee maker until they no longer taste bitter. The hot water will extract the tannins but do not allow the acorns to cool between flushes or the tannic acid will bind more tightly to the acorn meat. Also, do not grind the acorns finely before leach them as a flour-sized particles will clog the filter.<br />
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Unfortunately, the fats and oils in acorns turn rancid fairly quickly. Fresh ground acorn flour will go bad in as little as four weeks if exposed to air and warm temperatures. Freezing the flour, especially if vacuum-packed (a messy process) can stretch its usable life to six months. You are better off freezing the un-shelled acorn and just leaching and grinding as you need it. Frozen, vacuum-packed acorns still in their shell can last up to a year. <br />
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White oaks (Quercus alba) produce the least bitter nuts, followed by Red oaks (Quercus rubra) but even both of these need the tannins leached from their acorns. White oak acorns mature in one year while Red oak acorns take two years to complete their growth. Pin oaks (Quercus palustris) are related to Red oaks while Bur oaks (Quercus macrocarpa) are related to White oaks. Live Oaks (Quercus fusiformis) produce the least desirable acorns as they are hard to remove from their shells and are very bitter. <br />
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To use acorns as a caffeine-free coffee substitute coarse-grind them then roast them at 400F in an oven to a dark brown color. At this point you can use them just like ground coffee.<br />
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The oak gall wasp likes to lay its eggs under the tender bark of new oak twigs. Doing so somehow triggers the formation of a round oak gall. The oak tree doesn't like this much and starts pumping assorted chemicals into the gall to try and kill the wasp larva. The end result is a small, hard ball loaded with medicinal properties. These galls were crushed and then used to make ointments, tinctures, medicated oils, and teas to fight infections inside and outside of the body. The crushed oak galls were also combined with iron salts in vinegar to create a very dark, non-fading ink.<br />
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<br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-31670037256334146812012-11-13T20:13:00.003-06:002023-12-05T21:16:08.298-06:00Agarita<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Name(s):</span> Mahonia trifoliolata<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> common<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> Berries <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> raw, cooked, jam, jelly, wine, syrup, roast seeds for coffee<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> Hill Country, dry grasslands <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> Spring <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> Vit. C<br />
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Medicinal Summary:</b><br />
Leaves - anti-nausea (<a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/2011/02/medicinal-concoctions.html">tisane, tincture, chewed</a>)<br />
Root/Wood - antimicrobial; antiviral; antidiarrheal, immortality (<a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/2011/02/medicinal-concoctions.html">tincture, oxymel</a>)<br />
<br /><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>The compound, trifoliate leaves are alternate along the stems.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>Mahonia trifoliolata leaves are compound, typically with three leaflets.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation:</b> The leaflet venation is pinnate.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Margin:</b> The leaf margin is serrated to almost lobed with sharp, stiff points.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Color: </b>The leaves are usually green, and there might be variations in color on the top and underside. Veins are a lighter gray or milky in color.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>The flowers are arranged in clusters and have a bell-like shape. The diameter of an individual flower is typically around 1/2 inch (1.27 cm). The flowers smell like honey.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Color:</b> Mahonia trifoliolata flowers are yellow.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit: </b>The fruit is a red, football-shaped, berry-like drupe.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed:</b> Seeds are small, usually contained within the berries.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bark:</b> The bark is grayish-brown and may be rough. Inner wood is yellow.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs:</b> Some parts of the plant, such as the undersides of leaves or stems, may have fine hairs.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height: </b>Mahonia trifoliolata can reach heights of 3 to 8 feet (0.9 to 2.4 meters) depending on environmental conditions.</div><br />
Agarita shrub.<br />
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Agarita flower buds (picture taken in February in the Hill Country).<br />
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Open agarita flowers (picture taken in February in the Hill Country).<br />
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Closeup of ripe and almost ripe agarita berries.<br />
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Closeup of agarita leaf.<br />
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The inner wood of agaritas is a deep yellow color due to the medicinal compound berberine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodIkpl2CcP1EQoxQtboLrbKVlgh2ncJThfwYXSGtNWWO7Dd_tTZlND7q8QRf4nZV4Tqc3X9hr2hf_nZyZvFfvR3Bmtihg-vPiO3SB28dEUdHZhbIxESHQS1VBxplcyQqac14ZgeWddDe6/s1600/IMG_0018.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodIkpl2CcP1EQoxQtboLrbKVlgh2ncJThfwYXSGtNWWO7Dd_tTZlND7q8QRf4nZV4Tqc3X9hr2hf_nZyZvFfvR3Bmtihg-vPiO3SB28dEUdHZhbIxESHQS1VBxplcyQqac14ZgeWddDe6/s400/IMG_0018.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpAk-g1KoOIYiD7H5g93xSZgOk91h6RCRdXaPKdCnCZNAXk_Y2JIFUh12lVg_SebWSZz4_GZ8Enim2U4Sf7Bq0-c2Cx74Ixdj-MSfQKN3dY4iyAw9Mzzu9cdtJa3WYzBsu409DMuY2ZG2/s1600/TX+USDA+Agarita+Nov2019.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="587" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpAk-g1KoOIYiD7H5g93xSZgOk91h6RCRdXaPKdCnCZNAXk_Y2JIFUh12lVg_SebWSZz4_GZ8Enim2U4Sf7Bq0-c2Cx74Ixdj-MSfQKN3dY4iyAw9Mzzu9cdtJa3WYzBsu409DMuY2ZG2/s320/TX+USDA+Agarita+Nov2019.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
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The evergreen agarita is a common 2’-6’ shrub found across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Its unusual, three-part leaves are grey-green, very stiff and pointy so harvesting their fruit can be a bit painful. The yellow flowers appear in late winter followed by red, edible fruit in the spring. Agaritas prefer dry areas with well-drained and somewhat alkaline soil along with full sun to partial shade. The shrubs usually gather around mesquite and other small trees. I haven't seen any out standing alone.<br />
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In Spring agarita shrubs are loaded with small, bright red berries. These sweet, slightly tart berries can be eaten raw or cooked in any manner one would prepare any berry such as jam, jelly, or wine. The juice from these berries has a pleasingly complex sweet and sour flavor. The small seeds can be roasted then ground for a caffeine-free coffee substitute.<br />
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Agaritas have multiple medicinal uses. The leaves can be chewed fresh or dried to help relieve nausea, especial that accompanying hangovers and motion sickness. A tea made from dried leaves will also offer relief. The yellow wood of the roots contain anti-bacterial and anti-viral compound berberine along with bitter components to help with digestion and other stomach issues such as diarrhea. The root wood is usually finely shaved and then made into a tincture with vodka.<div><br /></div><div>Berberine may inhibit the shortening of chromosomal telomeres during cellular replication, which in turn prevents the physical aspects of aging. For this reason, I've started including it in my <a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/merriwethers-immortality-elixir.html">Immortality Elixir</a><br />
<br /><br /><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div></div></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-64889882596388132222012-11-10T20:51:00.002-06:002023-12-18T18:27:07.317-06:00Agave<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Name(s):</span> Agave spp.<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> rare<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> flowers, stalks, leaves, body/root, sap <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> flowers are cooked; flower stalks are roasted; sap is fermented (woo hoo!); leaves are cooked; body/root is slow roasted. <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> dry areas, landscaping <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> all year <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> Calories<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers:</span> Raw agave juice can cause long-lasting burns to skin, eyes, and other sensitive tissues. Be careful when cutting this plant so as not to splatter this juice on you. These plants also contain large quantities of saponins (soap).<br />
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Medicinal Summary:</b><br />
Leaf Pulp - antibacterial; anti-inflammatory; wound-healing (<a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/2011/02/medicinal-concoctions.html">poultice</a>)<div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>Leaf Arrangement:</b> Rosette formation, with leaves emerging from a central point at the plant’s base.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape:</b> Lanceolate, thick, and fleshy, typically ranging from 2 to 6 feet in length.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation:</b> Leaves display parallel venation, typical of monocots.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Margin: </b>Margins are often armed with sharp spines or teeth.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Color:</b> Varies from green to blue-green, sometimes with variegation or lighter markings.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure:</b> Produces a tall, branched inflorescence, with numerous small flowers on each branch; the flowering stalk can be up to 30 feet tall.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Color:</b> The flowers are usually yellow or white, depending on the species.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit:</b> The fruit is a capsule or occasionally a berry, containing black or brown seeds.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed:</b> Seeds are flat, black, and oval, varying in size but generally small.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stem: </b>The stem is short and thick, primarily serving as the base for the leaf rosette; elongates significantly when flowering.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs:</b> Leaves are generally smooth, without significant hair presence.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height: </b>Leaf rosettes typically reach 2 to 5 feet in height, with flower stalks growing up to 30 feet during blooming.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/4468874108/" title="Agave1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Agave1" height="375" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4468874108_d7888dc3b1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/15085429576" title="Agave1 by Merriwether Adventurer, on Flickr"><img alt="Agave1" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3835/15085429576_3d1f55a1b0_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Agave flower stalk.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/15105441611" title="Agave2 by Merriwether Adventurer, on Flickr"><img alt="Agave2" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5568/15105441611_d0f3bf6851_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Texas Distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472443004/" title="AgaveTX by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="AgaveTX" height="346" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/12472443004_a6ce6f52e8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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North American Distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472427834/" title="Agave by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Agave" height="415" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3778/12472427834_bb965124ca.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Looking like a cross between a cactus and a squid, slow-growing agave plants are found wild the arid Southwest but also as a decorative landscaping plant all over Texas and the South. Mature agave can stretch up to 16’ across and send flower stalks 10’ or more into the sky.<br />
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Agave plants are a regular smorgasbord of food, though all parts of the plant except for the sap must be cooked in some manner to make them sweet and destroy their bitter-tasting saponins. Unlike most wild edible plants, when harvesting agave you want to find the biggest, oldest plants as these will have the most sugar. Traditionally the flowers and leaves were boiled or roasted. After removing the leaves the body & root should be slow roasted, often for two days, to release its sugars. The sweet flesh is chewed off the fibrous body/root. Flower stalks are also roasted, but for shorter time as they are smaller. Note that removing the flower stalk will kill the plant. After roasting the food can be dried and stored for later use.<br />
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If the top of the agave plant is removed but the root left in the ground sap will flow up for hours. Collect and ferment this sap to form a weak tequila. A sweet syrup can also be pressed from the roasted body & root of agave. This syrup forms the basis for mescal alcohol. The seeds can be toasted then ground into a flour.<br />
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Uncooked roots contain high levels of saponins, a soap-like compound which will lather in soft water and can be used for washing. This soap was also used by natives to kill fish by tossing pounded globs of root into small ponds. The soap screws up the functioning of fishes' gills, causing them suffocate and float to the surface.<br />
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Fibers in the leaves can be used for cordage. Pound the fleshy leaves between two logs to separate the fibers from pulp, then braid into rope.<br />
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Warning: The moist, fleshy interior of the leaves is somewhat acidic and can cause permanent eye damage. <br />
<br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-33008983263979883012012-11-10T12:41:00.000-06:002020-08-09T12:42:13.067-05:00<p><span style="font-size: large;">Foraging Texas is a labor of love...but love, as you know, extracts a cost. If y'all feel this foraging information has helped you there are several ways you can help in return.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">Purchased a <a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/p/medicine-man-plant-co.html">Medicine Man Plant Co.</a> Product:</span></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3fymDX6" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">The Brain Pill</span></a></div><div><span style="padding-bottom: 1em; padding-top: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3fymDX6" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1322" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX35AuSNGzQ8bJ1Ro-I-Ef2aqPVqCykx84fxobUvFZw8mxpz6XgknXVGozc8PW4r0-LgXEy1aMCzNA0aCW9IMLd3hY7e92rU9IUeNOem1iWkpj3IBJvJ_mkMLotqUIjT5asRnKry7UkG6/w108-h168/MMPC_BrainPill.jpg" width="108" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/30Ht6el" target="_blank">The Liver Pill</a></span></div><div><span style="padding-bottom: 1em; padding-top: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/30Ht6el" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1821" data-original-width="1296" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2wfU8mMFu2CrQR_IVI0iKO3Q3EqDEthlxrx_jMfgMxdc9khN9-8VAV_y6Y0asGx2iPKixZX6wsyFeKCvRqkJSaBZshhjVQXty04oEjKqjr8mNvz2SNRtLbZ_aF0beVvB06pVy5NIKABg/w96-h134/MMPC_LiverPill.jpg" width="96" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/33DWsMg" target="_blank">Purchase my book:</a></span></div><div><span style="padding-bottom: 1em; padding-top: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/33DWsMg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="418" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbjV9I1zVuHa2Rw0wW6siZ9OJRjoHcwIGHEUbho0Pa_Un_xq1jytGf5IrJHRn-WYNYTfq6fMnqxPYMOJ6PtKbZOHlDkl1oJYTM2PcceSbwmF6XItAMJZWSbOC4snWnt9i8VuAyACls5MR/w110-h131/IGFcover.jpg" width="110" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://wazoosurvivalgear.com/products/foraging-bandana?aff=foragetx" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank">Purchase the Wazoo/Merriwether Foraging Bandana:</a></div><div><span style="padding-bottom: 1em; padding-top: 1em;"><a href="https://wazoosurvivalgear.com/products/foraging-bandana?aff=foragetx" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-95TEDrRVWLxmQgiRIGhkob9ROxM-Hf3D7N_QDaZytnurKBQAOyZMEbutjQ5NhI2LhZ_VPhKMuPp8FfZmDPIvXDme_BVHF-NRE0C5DcGv0tOQYxNc5zoD8JmYUlW98STtI0MlblPluA9X/w168-h168/Foraging+Bandana+EDIT+Round+3.jpg" width="168" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Shop for foraging and survival <a href="https://amzn.to/31zByv4" target="_blank">books/gear on Amazon</a></div><div>Buy Foraging Texas<span class="text_exposed_show"> clothing or gear from <a data-blogger-escaped-target="_blank" href="https://www.cafepress.com/foragingtexas">CafePress Foraging Texas</a></span></div><div>Donate directly to Foraging Texas:<b> </b><a data-blogger-escaped-target="_blank" href="https://www.paypal.me/Merriwether">Merriwether on PayPal</a></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-14646057464923089692012-11-10T12:39:00.000-06:002020-08-09T12:40:44.273-05:00<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Foraging Texas is a labor of love...but love, as you know, extracts a cost. If y'all feel this foraging information has helped you there are several ways you can help in return.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">Purchased a <a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/p/medicine-man-plant-co.html">Medicine Man Plant Co.</a> Product:</span></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3fymDX6" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">The Brain Pill</span></a></div><div><span style="padding-bottom: 1em; padding-top: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3fymDX6" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1322" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX35AuSNGzQ8bJ1Ro-I-Ef2aqPVqCykx84fxobUvFZw8mxpz6XgknXVGozc8PW4r0-LgXEy1aMCzNA0aCW9IMLd3hY7e92rU9IUeNOem1iWkpj3IBJvJ_mkMLotqUIjT5asRnKry7UkG6/w108-h168/MMPC_BrainPill.jpg" width="108" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/30Ht6el" target="_blank">The Liver Pill</a></span></div><div><span style="padding-bottom: 1em; padding-top: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/30Ht6el" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1821" data-original-width="1296" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2wfU8mMFu2CrQR_IVI0iKO3Q3EqDEthlxrx_jMfgMxdc9khN9-8VAV_y6Y0asGx2iPKixZX6wsyFeKCvRqkJSaBZshhjVQXty04oEjKqjr8mNvz2SNRtLbZ_aF0beVvB06pVy5NIKABg/w96-h134/MMPC_LiverPill.jpg" width="96" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/33DWsMg" target="_blank">Purchase my book:</a></span></div><div><span style="padding-bottom: 1em; padding-top: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/33DWsMg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="418" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbjV9I1zVuHa2Rw0wW6siZ9OJRjoHcwIGHEUbho0Pa_Un_xq1jytGf5IrJHRn-WYNYTfq6fMnqxPYMOJ6PtKbZOHlDkl1oJYTM2PcceSbwmF6XItAMJZWSbOC4snWnt9i8VuAyACls5MR/w110-h131/IGFcover.jpg" width="110" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://wazoosurvivalgear.com/products/foraging-bandana?aff=foragetx" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank">Purchase the Wazoo/Merriwether Foraging Bandana:</a></div><div><span style="padding-bottom: 1em; padding-top: 1em;"><a href="https://wazoosurvivalgear.com/products/foraging-bandana?aff=foragetx" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-95TEDrRVWLxmQgiRIGhkob9ROxM-Hf3D7N_QDaZytnurKBQAOyZMEbutjQ5NhI2LhZ_VPhKMuPp8FfZmDPIvXDme_BVHF-NRE0C5DcGv0tOQYxNc5zoD8JmYUlW98STtI0MlblPluA9X/w168-h168/Foraging+Bandana+EDIT+Round+3.jpg" width="168" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Shop for foraging and survival <a href="https://amzn.to/31zByv4" target="_blank">books/gear on Amazon</a></div><div>Buy Foraging Texas<span class="text_exposed_show"> clothing or gear from <a data-blogger-escaped-target="_blank" href="https://www.cafepress.com/foragingtexas">CafePress Foraging Texas</a></span></div><div>Donate directly to Foraging Texas:<b> </b><a data-blogger-escaped-target="_blank" href="https://www.paypal.me/Merriwether">Merriwether on PayPal</a></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-29069607759352891342012-11-09T22:51:00.002-06:002023-11-29T17:41:12.055-06:00Allegheny Chinkapin<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Name(s):</span> Castanea pumila<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> rare<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> nuts <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> raw or roasted <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> sandy, shaded areas near water<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> fall <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> calories, protein<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers:</span> nut husks are very prickly<br />
<br /><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>The Chinkapin tree typically exhibits alternate leaf arrangement along the branches.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape:</b> Leaves are generally long, narrow, and sharply toothed, with lengths ranging from 3 to 6 inches.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Venation: </b>Prominent veins are visible on the leaves, contributing to their overall structure.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stem Characteristics:</b> The stems are usually slender and multiple-trunked. Exact measurements can vary, but diameters may range from 0.5 to 2 inches.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Spike: </b>In the spring, the tree produces long clusters of small, tan-yellow flowers, adding visual appeal. Flowers can be around 0.2 to 0.4 inches in size.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>Individual flowers are small and lack showy petals. Colors can include tan-yellow.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed Head: </b>The Chinkapin tree forms sharp, spikey pods containing small acorn-like nuts in the fall. The length of the seed head can range from 2 to 4 inches.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed Characteristics: </b>Nuts are small, round, and lack tannins, providing a sweet, nutty flavor. Diameter may range from 0.5 to 1 inch. Colors can include brown.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height: </b>The Chinkapin tree typically ranges in height from 10 to 20 feet, with variations based on age and growing conditions.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs: </b>Some Chinkapin tree varieties may have fine hairs on the undersides of leaves. Inspect the leaves for pubescence.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Nuts:</b> The nuts consists of spiky husks protecting the small acorn-like nuts. Colors of the husks may include green, turning brown as they mature.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bark:</b> The bark is textured, contributing to the tree's resilience. The color can vary but often includes shades of gray or brown.</div><br />
Allegheny Chinkapin leaves. <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/15420838223" title="ChinkapinLeaves1 by Merriwether Adventurer, on Flickr"><img alt="ChinkapinLeaves1" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7503/15420838223_43424970d9.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
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Close-up of leaves.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/15854469149" title="ChinkapinLeaves by Merriwether Adventurer, on Flickr"><img alt="ChinkapinLeaves" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7566/15854469149_e95768f20a.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
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Nut pods in the fall, having dropped some of the nuts.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/15420830523" title="ChinkapinPods2 by Merriwether Adventurer, on Flickr"><img alt="ChinkapinPods2" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7527/15420830523_0b3bbaeb78.jpg" width="478" /></a><br />
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Close-up of pods with and without nuts.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/15418227444" title="ChinkapinNut by Merriwether Adventurer, on Flickr"><img alt="ChinkapinNut" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7543/15418227444_ffa5f5d043.jpg" width="473" /></a><br />
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Close-up of shelled nuts. This picture was taken a month after they had ripened and so they've begun to dry out but are still edible.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/21554833945/in/dateposted-public/" title="Allegheny Chinquapin"><img alt="Allegheny Chinquapin" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/661/21554833945_a83f9d6f0f.jpg" width="487" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/21563740321/in/dateposted-public/" title="ChinquapinTXMap"><img alt="ChinquapinTXMap" height="416" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5759/21563740321_796db3ac4b.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/16040523495" title="ChinkapinMapNA by Merriwether Adventurer, on Flickr"><img alt="ChinkapinMapNA" height="416" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/16040523495_b7c69d2e11.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
To stumble upon a stand of Allegheny Chinkapins is to stumble upon treasure. These large, usually multi-trunked bushes/small trees suffered from Chestnut Blight leading to reduced numbers across much of North America. A rare stand can still be found growing under larger trees in the sandy soil of tall banks overlooking water. The sandy soil gives them the drainage they need to avoid root-rot while the larger trees partially protects them from the fierce Texas sun. The long, narrow, sharply-toothed leaves, deep green on top and pale underneath, are arranged in an alternate pattern along the branches. In the spring long clusters of small, tan-yellow flowers hang from the tree. By fall these clusters have been replaced with sharp, spikey pods, each containing what looks like a small acorn. <br />
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Harvesting these nuts takes some work as they cling to the tree and are protected by the sharp, spiny remains of their outer husks. One usually has to carefully pick nuts off the shrub/tree one by one. You are likely to find some of the nuts have already germinated while still attached to the tree. Don't eat these but instead carefully plant them nearby.<br />
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Allegheny Chinkapin nuts lack tannins or other bitter compounds and so have a sweet, nutty flavor when eaten raw. Being so rare, limit yourself to just a nut or three. Take a few more to plant in similar locations so as to try and bring back this amazingly delicious treat. Animals love these nuts so getting them before squirrels, raccoons, possums and the such is tricky.<br />
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Like chestnuts, Allegheny Chinkapin nuts can be roasted to give almost a chocolatey sort of flavor. Place the uncracked nuts on a cookie sheet in an oven at 350F. After five minutes pull out a nut, crack it open and taste it. The roasting time is a personal preference but if the nuts' shells begin cracking it's definitely time to pull them out. <br />
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If you do over-roast the nuts they can still be used to make a caffeine-free coffee substitute. Grind the shelled nuts in a coffee grinder then either use them as is or combine them with real coffee to make a pot of brown, somewhat bitter fluid.<br />
<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-17248681054487839862012-11-04T22:15:00.002-06:002023-12-17T20:45:31.482-06:00Alligator Weed<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Name(s):</span> Alternanthera philoxeroides<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> plentiful<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> stems, leaves <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> cooked <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> shallow water, full sun <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> spring, summer, fall <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> extremely high in minerals, contains fair amount of protein<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers:</span> accumulates toxic minerals if present in the water or soil.<div><br /></div><div><div><b>Leaf Arrangement:</b> The leaves of Alternanthera philoxeroides are arranged opposite-alternating along the stem.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>Leaves are typically simple, lanceolate to ovate, measuring approximately 1 to 2 inches in length.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation:</b> Pinnate venation, with prominent veins running from the base to the tip of each leaf.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Margin: </b>The leaf margin is entire (no teeth/serrations).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Color:</b> The leaves are usually green but can turn reddish or purplish under certain conditions.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>Alligator Weed produces round clusters of small, spiked flowers at the terminal ends of stems.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Color:</b> Flowers are typically white or pale pink.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit:</b> The fruit is a small, spherical capsule containing seeds.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed:</b> Inside the capsule are small, brown seeds.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stem: </b>The stem is typically prostrate and can form dense mats on the water's surface.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs:</b> Leaves and stems are hairless.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height:</b> Forms dense floating mats on water bodies, protruding up from the water's surface 4"-8".</div>
<div><br /></div><br />
Bed of alligator weeds.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5643392997/" title="Alligatorweed2 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Alligatorweed2" height="500" src="https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5643392997_9788424a89.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Close-up of alligator weed stems, leaves, and flowers.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5643391343/" title="Alligatorweed1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Alligatorweed1" height="500" src="https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5643391343_338eddc584.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/21407373533/in/dateposted-public/" title="Alligatorweed"><img alt="Alligatorweed" height="335" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/682/21407373533_318616a473.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Close-up of alligator weed leaves.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5645321646/" title="alligatorweed by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="alligatorweed" height="500" src="https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/5645321646_3b95f05086.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<br />
Close-up of alligator weed flower.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/7158305917/" title="AlligatorweedFlower by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="AlligatorweedFlower" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7078/7158305917_8c78c3fc54.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12600412503/" title="AlligatorWeedTX by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="AlligatorWeedTX" height="346" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/12600412503_b2e41a4176.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472088133/" title="AlligatorWeed by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="AlligatorWeed" height="415" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/12472088133_3a62d6837b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Forming thick mats along the shores of shallow water, the invasive, foreign alligator weed has become an all too common sight on Texas shorelines and river banks. The vine-like plants start on shore and creep out to cover the surface of the water.<br />
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Cooked alligator weed has a mild, pleasant taste and is a wonderful source of minerals. Treat it like spinach but do not eat it raw. It must be cooked to kill any aquatic parasites. The stems are best chopped up so as to minimize any toughness they might have. The newest growth will be the most tender.<br />
<br />
Warning: The water and mud in which it is growing must be free of any harmful minerals or heavy metals as the plant will gather and concentrate these toxic compounds. This accumulating power has been harnessed for bio-remediation of highly contaminated locations.<br />
<br />
<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-1895980593666484722012-11-03T17:14:00.002-05:002023-12-18T20:51:10.469-06:00Alyssum<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Name(s):</span> Lobularia maritima<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> common<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> seeds, flowers<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> raw<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> flower beds, landscaping<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> Fall, Winter, Spring<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> Vitamins, minerals, phyto-compounds, <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers:</span> beware of pesticides<br />
<br /><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>Leaves are arranged alternately along the stem.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>The leaves are linear to lanceolate, usually measuring 1 to 2 inches long.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation:</b> Venation is not prominent, with the leaf structure being simple and undivided.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Margin:</b> Margins are entire, meaning they are smooth and unbroken.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Color:</b> Leaves are typically a gray-green to bright green color.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>Flowers are small with have 4 petals. Blossom grow in dense clusters at the ends of stems.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Color:</b> Commonly white, although some cultivars may display pink or lavender hues.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit: </b>The fruit is a small silique (a type of dry seed capsule).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed:</b> Seeds are tiny and contained within the siliques.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stem:</b> Stems are slender and branching, creating a mat-like or slightly mounded form.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs:</b> Leaves and stems are often finely hairy.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height:</b> The plant typically grows to a height of 6 to 12 inches.</div><div><br /></div><br />
Alyssum flowers in a flower bed.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8316241481/" title="AlyssumFlowers1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="AlyssumFlowers1" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8364/8316241481_ae96e0f398.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Close-up of flower and seed pods.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8317298068/" title="AlyssumFlower3 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="AlyssumFlower3" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8317298068_0896c3ef57.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Close-up of flower.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8317296996/" title="AlyssumFlower2 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="AlyssumFlower2" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8359/8317296996_4714c8ba14.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472088393/" title="Alyssum by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Alyssum" height="415" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/12472088393_6477c8af21.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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People are surprised to learn sweet alyssum is actually a mustard (Brassica family). It's "fairy spiral" arrangement of seed pods and the four-petaled, six-stamened (4 tall, 2 short) flower are the clue. Generally considered to be a cool-weather plant, sweet alyssum is found in many flowerbeds fall to spring. Come summer’s heat they wilt and are usually removed.<br />
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While the flowers have a wonderful sweet aroma, the name "Sweet Alyssum" is somewhat misleading when it comes to flavor of raw, young, green seed pods which have the same spicy bite of other mustards. This makes them a funky replacement for radishes in a salad. They also go well with meats where one would normally add a dash of horseradish. The flowers can be eaten any time but the seed pods have the best texture/mouth-feel when still soft and green. The flavor of the leaves is unpleasant to most people but can still be cooked in the same manner as traditional mustard greens.<br />
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Warning: Beware of pesticides when harvesting sweet alyssum from flower beds, though if you are following the law you will have already talked to the owner and he/she can tell you if the bed had been sprayed.<br />
<br />
<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-50248978038575945742012-11-01T21:37:00.004-05:002023-12-10T08:20:24.512-06:00Amaranth<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific name:</span> Amaranthus spp.<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> common<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> young leaves, seeds<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> Young leaves raw or cooked, seeds eaten raw, roasted or ground into flour<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> sunny fields, disturbed areas<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> summer<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> Grains supply protein, calories, and minerals. Leaves vitamins A & C along with minerals calcium, iron, and phosphorous, and also fiber.<div><br /></div><div><div><b>Leaf Arrangement:</b> The leaves are alternately arranged along the stem.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>Leaves are generally broad, lanceolate, or ovate, with lengths ranging from 2 to 6 inches and widths of 1 to 3 inches.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation: </b>Pinnate venation exhibits well-defined veins extending from the midrib to the leaf margins.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Margin:</b> The leaf margin is entire, displaying a smooth and continuous edge.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Color:</b> The upper surface of the leaves is a vibrant green, while the underside may have a slightly lighter shade.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>Flowers are arranged in dense, elongated clusters called inflorescences, with each flower having a diameter of approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Each flower has three to five petals and is located at the tips of the stems.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Color:</b> Flowers may be green, red, or purple, depending on the species, matching the foliage color.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit: </b>The fruit is a small, dry capsule containing numerous seeds, measuring around 1/8 inch in diameter.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed: </b>Tiny, spherical seeds vary in color from light tan to dark brown and measure around 1/16 inch in diameter.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stem:</b> Sturdy and erect stem with a height ranging from 2 to 4 feet. Some species may have thorns, such as Amaranthus spinosus.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs: </b>Some amaranth species may have fine hairs on the leaves, stem, or both. Check for pubescence or trichomes, especially on the undersides of leaves.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height: </b>The amaranth plant typically reaches a height between 2 and 4 feet, forming a distinctive upright growth habit in the wild.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div>Amaranth (Amaranthus powellii)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/29263931516/in/dateposted/" title="Amaranth"><img alt="Amaranth" height="500" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8189/29263931516_edfaedaa85.jpg" width="431" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Another type of amaranth.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5986050009/" title="Amaranth1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Amaranth1" height="500" src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5986050009_da9d16305c.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Another variation of amaranth.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/3576984829/" title="Amaranth2 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Amaranth2" height="500" src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3576984829_daf9000a1e.jpg" width="359" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/3577788522/" title="Amaranth1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Amaranth1" height="500" src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3577788522_8e361e4eaf.jpg" width="288" /></a><br />
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Red amaranth (often used as decorative plant).<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/4924819187/" title="redamaranth1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="redamaranth1" height="640" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4924819187_7ab83e2bf5_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Another amaranth.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/22016397772/in/dateposted-public/" title="Amaranth"><img alt="Amaranth" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5756/22016397772_4806009cf1.jpg" width="374" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/22002495066/in/dateposted-public/" title="Amaranth"><img alt="Amaranth" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5801/22002495066_fa95e0a194.jpg" width="374" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br /><br />
<br />
Still more amaranths.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/22016366212/in/dateposted-public/" title="Amaranth"><img alt="Amaranth" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/768/22016366212_d0a4d470dd.jpg" width="432" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/21405908604/in/dateposted-public/" title="Amaranth Prostrate Pigweed IGFB4"><img alt="Amaranth Prostrate Pigweed IGFB4" height="405" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/666/21405908604_23628c08f2.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
And yet more amaranths.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/22028692525/in/dateposted-public/" title="Amaranth Flowers IGFB2"><img alt="Amaranth Flowers IGFB2" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/621/22028692525_f95905f193.jpg" width="396" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/21407543143/in/dateposted-public/" title="Amaranth Leaves IGFB15"><img alt="Amaranth Leaves IGFB15" height="485" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/598/21407543143_2db2853eaa.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12471952925/" title="AmaranthTX by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="AmaranthTX" height="346" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/12471952925_1099362017.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12471937995/" title="Amaranth by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Amaranth" height="415" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/12471937995_8b86cbfe16.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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A variety of amaranth species can be found across Texas and the South. Shapes range from prostrate, creeping vine-like weeds to striking, tall, cultivated forms. The most distinctive feature of all amaranths is their spikes of tiny, clustered flowers which are the same color as the rest of the plant. Amaranths are most commonly found in sunny, disturbed areas and wastelands such as abandoned lots and roadsides. Bright red versions are often included in landscaping.<br />
<br />
Amaranth leaves can be eaten raw or used as a spinach substitute in any dish. The leaves are high in vitamin A & C, assorted necessary minerals and also fiber. The youngest leaves have the best flavor and texture, but even the large, old leaves can be chopped up and included in any food needing a vegetable.<br />
<br />
Amaranth seeds are very rich in carbohydrates and up to 16% protein by weight. Better still, the seeds contain the amino acid lysine which is very rare for plants but vital for human health. A single plant can produce as many as 100,000 of these wonderful, slightly nutty-tasting seeds. They can be eaten raw but toasting and then grinding into flour releases the most nutrition. The ornamental varieties are just as productive as the wild one but are more attractive. Amaranth seeds have even been used to make a gluten-free beer. <br />
<br />
<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-66255981409413771862012-10-29T19:34:00.002-05:002023-12-05T21:28:41.823-06:00Arrow-wood<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Name(s):</span> Viburnum dentatum<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> uncommon<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> berries<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> raw<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> sun, partial shade, woods, landscaping <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> berries ripen in early fall<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> flavanoids<div><br /></div><div><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>The leaves are opposite along the stems.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape:</b> Viburnum dentatum leaves are typically ovate, with a slightly serrated margin.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation: </b>The venation is pinnate.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Margin: </b>The leaf margin is serrated.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Color: </b>The leaves are usually green, and there may be slight variations in color on the top and underside.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure:</b> The flowers are arranged in flat-topped clusters, at the ends of branches with each flower having five petals and a diameter of approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Flower Color: </b>Viburnum dentatum flowers are typically white.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit:</b> The fruit is a dark blue to black drupe, about 1/3 inch in diameter.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed:</b> Seeds are small, contained within the drupe.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bark:</b> The bark is grayish-brown and may be slightly rough.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs:</b> Leaves and fruit stems may have a slight fuzziness.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height:</b> Viburnum dentatum can reach heights of 6 to 10 feet depending on environmental conditions.</div>
<br />
Viburnum shrub in September with ripe berries.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5004025155/" title="ViburnumPlant by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="ViburnumPlant" height="500" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5004025155_c7531f8dae.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<br />
Closeup of ripe arrowwood berries<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5004022781/" title="ViburnumBerries by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="ViburnumBerries" height="375" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5004022781_582de64a12.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Closeup of arrowwood leaf. The teeth along its edge give it the name "dentatum".<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5004634522/" title="ViburnumLeaf by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="ViburnumLeaf" height="375" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5004634522_a37a436a94.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Closeup of flowers in early summer.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/4997791338/" title="Virburnum1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Virburnum1" height="500" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4997791338_3a91c3efef.jpg" width="403" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472444004/" title="ArrowwoodTX by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="ArrowwoodTX" height="346" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/12472444004_5f4339c0d5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472428684/" title="Arrowwood by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Arrowwood" height="415" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/12472428684_ec9797f030.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Arrow-wood shrubs are a common sight both in the woods and among landscaping. They grow 6’-10’ tall with multiple stems and thick foliage, ending up fairly round in shape. The inedible flowers appear in the spring and look almost identical to elderberry flow clusters. The long, straight, hardwood suckers were used to make arrows by Native Americans.<br />
<br />
The dark blue-purple berries of arrow-wood are sour/sweet tasting but have only a thin layer of edible flesh over a large, inedible seed. They taste best as soon as they ripen, making an excellent nibble while hiking in the early fall. There is record of making jelly from the berries but I have not tried this personally. As the arrow-wood berries age they lose a lot of their flavor, becoming dry and mealy. <br />
<br />
<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-31054599146992754332012-10-26T21:37:00.003-05:002023-12-18T18:22:21.255-06:00Arrowhead/Wapato<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Name(s):</span> Maranta spp. and Sagittaria spp.<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> uncommon<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> tubers, young leaves, young flower stalks<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> boiled, roasted<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> marshes, water<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> tubers all year, best in late fall and early winter; young leaves in early summer; flower stalks well before flower buds have opened.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> carbohydrates<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers:</span> Beware the similar-looking arrow arum, (Peltandra virginica) plant which has an arrowhead-shaped leaf and produces tubers same as Sagittaria species.<br />
<br /><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>The leaves are alternately arranged along the stem, typically emerging from the water or mud.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape:</b> Arrowhead-shaped (sagittate), measuring 4 to 12 inches long and 2 to 6 inches wide.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation:</b> Venation is palmate, looking like a spider, starting at where the stalk meets the leaf and branching out to the edges of the leaf.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Margin:</b> Margins are smooth and entire.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Color: </b>The leaves are generally a glossy green, sometimes with a slightly bluish hue.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure:</b> The flowers are arranged in whorls on a spike, with each flower having three white petals and three green sepals.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Color:</b> White, often with a yellowish center.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit:</b> Produces small, round, green fruits that turn brown as they mature.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed:</b> Seeds are small, numerous, and contained within the fruit.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stem:</b> Stems are long, thick, and can be either submerged or emergent, depending on the water level.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs:</b> There are no hairs; both the stems and leaves are smooth.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height:</b> The emergent stems and leaves can reach 2 to 3 feet in height above the water surface.</div><div><br /></div><br />
Arrowroot tuber (photo courtesy of <a href="http://foragersharvest.com/">Samuel Thayer</a>).<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/22002603316/in/dateposted-public/" title="Arrowhead Tubers ST IGFB25"><img alt="Arrowhead Tubers ST IGFB25" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/691/22002603316_3d22ed10f8.jpg" width="473" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Arrowroot plants have many long veins radiating outwards from the center (palmate).<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/4680449121/" title="Arrowroot by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Arrowroot" height="375" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4680449121_88fcb2964e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Arrowroot leaf and flower stalk with white flowers and unopened buds.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5173236897/" title="Arrowrootflower by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Arrowrootflower" height="500" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5173236897_ab8670a7fc.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<br />
Note the spider-like (palmate) pattern of veins in the arrowhead-shaped leaves.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/4966228824/" title="Arrowroot2 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Arrowroot2" height="500" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4966228824_ef715cc7b0.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<br />
A stand of wapato plants.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/4965624923/" title="Arrowroot1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Arrowroot1" height="375" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4965624923_98d0a920d7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Close-up of wapato flowers.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5817282278/" title="WapatoFlower by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="WapatoFlower" height="500" src="https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5116/5817282278_37ce49a828.jpg" width="325" /></a><br />
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Arrowroot seedpods in the fall. One pod forms for each flower.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/29651039196/in/dateposted/" title="Arrowhead"><img alt="Arrowhead" height="500" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8212/29651039196_853622bac8.jpg" width="382" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12471953705/" title="ArrowheadTX by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="ArrowheadTX" height="346" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/12471953705_58583cb39d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472428984/" title="Arrowhead by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Arrowhead" height="415" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/12472428984_88afd5873c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Found in marshes, rivers, lakes and ponds, the arrowhead plant’s distinctive leaf and flowers are easy to spot. Most arrowhead plants have three-pointed leaves shape like an arrowhead, with either the top point bigger and broader than or the same as the two downward pointing points. The vein pattern in the leaves of Sagittaria species is palmate, which means the leaves have numerous thick veins running from the stem out to the tips and sides. This pamate venation is important to distinguish the edible Sagittaria from toxic Arum species.<br />
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Traditionally arrowroot tubers are freed from the mud by tearing them from the roots while walking barefoot in the water. The tubers float to the surface where the can be collected. They are prepared for eating by first peeling the bitter outer skin, followed by cooking any way you would cook a potato. The young leaves are harvested and boiled before they've had a chance to unroll/unfurl. The flower stalk is cooked like asparagus but it must be harvested before its flower buds have opened. Note, any plants harvested from water must be cooked to avoid imbibing any toxic pathogens.<br />
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Note that arrowhead tubers do not store very well, unlike traditional potatoes. If you want to keep them make sure you are storing only perfect, undamaged tubers and place them in moist, clean sand in a cool, dark place.<br />
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Young, still curled leaves that are either above or below the surface of the water make an excellent cooked green. Treat them like spinach. The young flower stalk before the flower buds appear can be used in the same manner as the leaves.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">TOXIC MIMIC: ARROW ARUM PLANT </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Arrow arum plants (Peltandra virginica) grow in wetlands, and have a leaves-with the same arrowhead-shape as the edible Sagittaria, as well as similar tubers. All parts of the arum plants are filled with calcium oxalate which will cause painful burning sensations in the lips, mouth, and throat if eaten. To tell the difference between arrowhead plants and Arum arrowhead plants look at the pattern of veins in the leaves. Toxic arrow Arum leaves have only three main veins, one each running out from the center out to the points of its leaf. From these three main veins branch out smaller veins, much like you see in a "normal" leaf of other plants. The edible arrowhead leaf has many veins radiating out from the center of the leaf where it connects to the stem, making it kind of look like a spider. These veins meet up again at the tips/points of the Sagittaria leaf. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br />
</span> <span style="color: red;">Toxic Arrow Arum leaf.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXEQdmOpAcFRvmUbEjuniVWl9LQ8IZVYToWH19X7LWGSbwKMANWDRPs7s7fid3rj_2IF5ZATu4P6-FLKp6iU2FgmTdZIdOIKR8mnwzi7b9uZrgkzxT0hNO3tbFjihbZ4uyX81iNriT5zz/s1600/Toxic+Arum.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXEQdmOpAcFRvmUbEjuniVWl9LQ8IZVYToWH19X7LWGSbwKMANWDRPs7s7fid3rj_2IF5ZATu4P6-FLKp6iU2FgmTdZIdOIKR8mnwzi7b9uZrgkzxT0hNO3tbFjihbZ4uyX81iNriT5zz/s400/Toxic+Arum.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><span style="color: red;"><br />
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<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">
Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div><br />Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-41452214203989092282012-10-25T17:43:00.003-05:002023-12-17T08:07:04.586-06:00Balloon Vine<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Name(s):</span> Cardiospermum corindum<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> invasive<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> young leaves; vine tips<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> cooked<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> fields, borders, dry, moist <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> spring, summer, fall, winter<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> minor<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers:</span> none<br />
<br /><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>The leaves of Cardiospermum corindum are arranged alternately along the stem.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape:</b> Leaves are compound, usually with three leaflets, each leaflet being broadly ovate to heart-shaped, measuring approximately 1 to 3 inches in width.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation:</b> Pinnate venation, with veins running from the base to the tip of each leaflet.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Margin:</b> The leaf margin is typically serrated or toothed.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Color:</b> The leaves are green.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>The flowers are approximately 1/4" across, with four petals, and occur in clusters.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Color:</b> Flowers are typically greenish-white.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit: </b>The fruit is a distinctive, papery capsule with three inflated chambers, resembling balloons.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed:</b> Inside each inflated capsule are small, black seeds with a white band running partway around the seed. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stem:</b> The stem is typically climbing or trailing, and it may have fine hairs.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs:</b> Appears hairless or extremely fine hairs.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height:</b> Cardiospermum corindum can climb to significant heights but is often seen trailing along the ground or climbing on other vegetation.</div><div><br /></div><br />
Ballon vine plant in the fall.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8316275851/" title="BalloonVine2 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BalloonVine2" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8316275851_5f7c2ea56e.jpg" width="468" /></a><br />
<br />
Balloon Vine flower. They can keep producing flowers while the temperatures are still warm.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/48703044817/in/dateposted/" title="BalloonVine"><img alt="BalloonVine" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48703044817_a27fddbf5b_z.jpg" width="589" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Balloon vine leaf.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8317327412/" title="BalloonVineLeaf by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BalloonVineLeaf" height="374" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8317327412_bf1098236a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Balloon vine leaf and green seed pod "balloon". Seed pod/seeds are NOT edible.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8317326436/" title="BalloonFlowerPod1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BalloonFlowerPod1" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8317326436_f9b07d3e76.jpg" width="324" /></a><br />
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Dried balloon vines seed pods.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8316277501/" title="DriedBalloonVine by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="DriedBalloonVine" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8083/8316277501_157c2488f0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Balloon vine seeds.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8316273689/" title="BalloonVineSeeds by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BalloonVineSeeds" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8355/8316273689_b4362fcd6d.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472089223/" title="BalloonVine by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BalloonVine" height="415" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/12472089223_4f50065cd0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Balloon Vine on the left, <a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/10/ground-cherry.html">Ground Cherry</a> on the right.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/48702541048/in/dateposted/" title="BalloonVine-GroundCherry"><img alt="BalloonVine-GroundCherry" height="547" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48702541048_3b8eb8d300_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Across fields and disturbed areas of Texas and the South, Balloon Vines are taking hold. Keep an eye out in sunny fields, especially along ditches and other areas where water may collect. Balloon vines are easily spotted by their small, puffy, pointed seed pods. These pods are mostly air with the fruit located in the center. If the weather stays warm these vines can produce these balloon-like seed pods all year long so you may see white flowers, young, green pods, and dried, brown pods all on the same vine.<br />
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Balloon vines are an invasive species from Asia and can quickly cover and kill native plants. This makes a good argument for eating them! The edible parts are its young leaves and vine tips. These are cooked before eating, though to be honest I don't know why. That's how they do it in Asian countries, which is a good enough reason for me.<br />
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The puffy seed pods are not eaten, nor are the seeds contained in these "balloons". However, both the leaves and seeds were used medically in India and Asia, along with the roots. Leaf poultices were used on skin wounds and infections as well as minor muscle and joint problems like strains, sprains and arthritis. Tea made from the leaves was traditionally used against stress and bronchitis. Tea from the root was applied topically to treat hemorrhoids. The seeds were crushed for a tea given to relieve fevers and joint pain.<br />
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<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-40154973822126071552012-10-24T11:17:00.002-05:002023-12-10T08:29:19.817-06:00Bastard Cabbage<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Name(s):</span> Rapistrum rugosum<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> invasive<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> young leaves, flower buds, flowers, young seedpods<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> raw, cooked<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> sunny ditches, fields, disturbed areas <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> late fall, winter, spring, early summer <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> minerals, vitamin C, antioxidants<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers: </span><span>none known</span><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>The leaves are broad lanceolate, with a length of approximately 1.5 to 4 inches and a width of about 0.5 to 1 inch. Some lobes may be present, especially on older, larger leaves.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation: </b>The venation is pinnate, with prominent veins running from the base to the tip of the leaves.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Margin:</b> The leaf margins are serrated or toothed, creating a slightly jagged edge.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Color:</b> The leaves are generally green, with no significant color variation between the top and underside.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure:</b> The flowers are small and have four petals, forming a cross-shaped structure. They are clustered at the ends of the stems.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Flower Color:</b> The flower color can vary but is often yellow.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit: </b>The fruit are small, bulbous, pod with a spike at the tip, growing in a spiraling pattern up the ends of stem and branches. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed: </b>Seeds are small, oval-shaped, and numerous within the pod. They may have a brown or black color.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stem: </b>The stems are erect, branching, and may have a reddish or greenish hue.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs:</b> The plant may have fine hairs on the stems or leaves, contributing to a slightly textured appearance and fuzzy feel.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height: </b>Rapistrum rugosum typically grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet, depending on environmental conditions.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>
Full plants seen along a roadside.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/34144599891/in/dateposted/" title="Bastard Cabbage"><img alt="Bastard Cabbage" height="375" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2868/34144599891_bbbcf6f100.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/34234996996/in/dateposted/" title="Bastard Cabbage"><img alt="Bastard Cabbage" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2873/34234996996_462320c903.jpg" width="426" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/33891574800/in/dateposted/" title="Bastard Cabbage"><img alt="Bastard Cabbage" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4167/33891574800_c9d5d18f73.jpg" width="397" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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A single stalk of Bastard Cabbage. Note the alternating leaf pattern.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/34234968296/in/dateposted/" title="Bastard Cabbage"><img alt="Bastard Cabbage" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4191/34234968296_7da9b8da74.jpg" width="243" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Close-up of flowers and flower buds.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/34234942446/in/dateposted/" title="Bastard Cabbage"><img alt="Bastard Cabbage" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2810/34234942446_7a6b98f8d8.jpg" width="426" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Close-up of seedpods. Note the "beaks" extending from the tips of the pods away from the stem.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/34234990606/in/dateposted/" title="Bastard Cabbage"><img alt="Bastard Cabbage" height="498" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2858/34234990606_0a35b81db3.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Close-up of the stem and unopened flower buds. Note the hairs.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/33433672234/in/dateposted/" title="Bastard Cabbage"><img alt="Bastard Cabbage" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2949/33433672234_ac0c949e81.jpg" width="413" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Mature leaf of Bastard Cabbage.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/34275597375/in/dateposted/" title="Bastard Cabbage"><img alt="Bastard Cabbage" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2841/34275597375_ec3966d8db.jpg" width="351" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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A seedling of Bastard Cabbage.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/33433667034/in/dateposted/" title="Bastard Cabbage"><img alt="Bastard Cabbage" height="375" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2873/33433667034_4617915ee0.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/34837598441/in/dateposted/" title="BastardCabbageTX"><img alt="BastardCabbageTX" height="416" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4248/34837598441_66fe68c476.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/34805962032/in/photostream/" title="BastardCabbageNA"><img alt="BastardCabbageNA" height="416" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/34805962032_43b552f403.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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There's a yellow-flowered invader lining the roadsides and taking over fields of Texas and the rest of North America and it's name is Bastard Cabbage! Wow, that was a lot of "and"s in that previous sentence. Oh well. These plants prefer cool weather, fall through spring, during which time they're unfortunately everywhere. On the plus side, being a member of the brassica (mustard) family, pretty much all parts of this invader from southern Europe are edible. <br />
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Starting at the top and working our way down the plant, it's flowers have the standard mustard-family structure of four petals (yellow in this case) in an "X" arrangement surrounding six stamens, four of which are long and two stamens are short. The flowers grow in bunches off the stem and before they blow the highly-packed clusters look like tiny heads of broccoli, which is also a member of the mustard family. Below the flowers are seedpods arranged in a spiral up the stem. Note the "beak" jutting out from the top of the seedpod away from the stem.<br />
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The stem itself is somewhat hairy branched. The leaves at its base are large, broad, deeply lobed, and form a rosette whereas the leaves closer to the tops of the stems will be elongated, narrow, and unloved or very shallowly lobed. Underground, bastard cabbage forms a heavy taproot, similar to that of horseradish.<br />
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How do I eat this invasive species? The flowers and green seedpods I like raw straight off the plant or added to salads. The broccoli-like flower buds are also eaten raw or cooked like broccoli florets (drizzled with cheese!) The younger, tender leaves are cooked like turnip/collard greens, sautéing them with some garlic and bacon. The younger, tender parts of the stem do well when cooked/steamed like asparagus. I have yet to experiment with the roots but suspect a low-grade "horseradish" sauce could be made from them.<br />
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<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div></div></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-86303258152787196902012-10-23T21:36:00.006-05:002023-12-18T17:59:50.000-06:00Bamboo/River Cane<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific name:</span> Arundinaria gigantea<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> uncommon<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> seeds, young shoots<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> cooked/steamed<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> river banks above high-water level<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> early spring through summer<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> small amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and vitamin C<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Other uses:</span> fishing poles, lattice structures, blow guns<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers:</span> beware of deadly purple Ergot fungus.<br />
<br /><div><div><b>Leaf Arrangement:</b> Alternate, with each leaf spaced out along the culm (stem), which is characteristic of many grass species.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>Lanceolate and elongated, typically 8 to 12 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Venation: </b>Parallel venation is prominent, running the length of the leaf from base to tip.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Margin: </b>Margins are serrulate, with fine teeth along the edge that are perceptible to touch.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Color: </b>The foliage is a deep green, often turning yellow-green in fall.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>Inflorescences are panicles, branched and open, appearing terminal on the culms.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Flower Color: </b>The small, individual flowers within the panicles are not showy, usually green or brownish.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Fruit: </b>Produces a caryopsis, a grain typical of the Poaceae family, though fruiting is infrequent.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Seed: </b>Seeds are small, enclosed within the dry fruit, and not commonly harvested or seen.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Stem: </b>Known as culms in grasses, they are hollow, erect, and can reach heights of up to 25 feet. Interior is hollow between leaf nodes. Young sections of the culm will be green whereas older parts will be yellowish or brown.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Hairs: </b>Young shoots may have a coating of fine hairs, which becomes less noticeable as the plant matures.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Height: </b>Mature stands can range from 10 to 25 feet in height.</div></div><div><br /></div><br />
Rivercanes.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/4284076422/" title="Rivercane1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Rivercane1" height="500" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4284076422_77995d570f.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/22029001535/in/dateposted-public/" title="River Cane IGFB"><img alt="River Cane IGFB" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/687/22029001535_303f82c30c.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Rivercane <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/4397168754/" title="Rivercane1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Rivercane1" height="500" src="https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2745/4397168754_7f623b9b46.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Closeup of stem.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/4396403419/" title="Rivercane2 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Rivercane2" height="500" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4396403419_5dea46c9eb.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Edible tips (peel off and discard the leaves).<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/21840811780/in/dateposted-public/" title="River Cane"><img alt="River Cane" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5684/21840811780_44cbc740ab.jpg" width="482" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/22029006395/in/dateposted-public/" title="River Cane"><img alt="River Cane" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5814/22029006395_445e1a6912.jpg" width="431" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/28946286694/in/dateposted/" title="BambooMapTX"><img alt="BambooMapTX" height="415" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8583/28946286694_3427ce707d.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/28946286104/in/photostream/" title="BambooMapNA"><img alt="BambooMapNA" height="415" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8060/28946286104_389b92fd75.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Once thick canebrakes used to be found along many Texas streams where they formed their own distinctive ecosystems. Over-grazing by cattle, who love the leaves, along with other habitat destruction has greatly reduced these canebrakes, leading to the loss of certain species of warblers which nested exclusively in the safety of these bamboo stands. Their scientific name suggests that this bamboo can grow to gigantic sizes but in truth they rarely get over ¾” thick and more than 9’ tall. <br />
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Tender river cane shoots of any size can be eaten raw or used in stir-fries and other Asian-style dishes. Firmly grab the top of the cane and pull. Usually whatever comes off is tender enough to eat but nibble the bottom end to make sure it isn’t too hard or fibrous. Peel off and discard the leaves or use them to weave tiny baskets. I like the youngest shoots, less than three inches tall growing from what looks like clumps of grass. <br />
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River cane makes excellent fishing poles. They were also used by Native Americans to make baskets, arrows and blowguns. Some of you more mature plants probably received a whack or two from a rivercane after misbehaving.<br />
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River cane is slightly susceptible to ergot fungal infections. Closely examine any river cane for signs of a purple powdery substance before harvesting, especially during rainy summers following very cold winters. Ergot poisoning can lead to hallucinations followed by death. I have yet to find any river cane infected with ergot, but I still keep an eye out for this fungus.<br />
<br />
<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-27989900160184072992012-10-23T21:36:00.004-05:002023-11-29T17:49:13.044-06:00Basswood/Linden<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific name:</span> Tilia americana<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> rare<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> flowers, leaves, buds, inner bark<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> leaves raw in salad, buds to nibble, flowers for tea, cambium (inner bark) raw or boiled for calories<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> Sunny edges of woods<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> buds in late winter, young leaves spring/summer, flowers summer, cambium all year<br />
<b>Nutritional Value:</b> Leaves contain vitamins and minerals, inner bark has carbohydrates<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Other uses:</span> cordage from bark, not a good firewood<br />
<br /><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>Basswood trees typically have alternate leaf arrangement along the branches.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>Leaves are generally large, heart-shaped, with lengths ranging from 4 to 6 inches.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation:</b> Prominent veins are visible on the leaves, contributing to their overall structure.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stem Characteristics:</b> The stems are usually slender, and the trunk can reach diameters of 2 to 4 feet.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Cluster:</b> Basswood trees produce fragrant, pendulous clusters of small, pale-yellow to cream-colored flowers in late spring or early summer.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure:</b> Individual flowers are small and have five petals. Flowers can be around 0.2 to 0.3 inches in size.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed: </b>The seed is enclosed in a papery wing, forming a structure known as a samara. The wings can measure around 1 to 2 inches in length, looking like a leaf. A several seed capsule pairs, all branching from a single stem, dangle down from the leaf-like wing.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed Characteristics: </b>Seeds are small and brown, typically located at the center of the samara.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height: </b>Basswood trees can reach heights of 60 to 80 feet, with variations based on age and growing conditions.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bark: </b>The bark of young trees is smooth and light gray, becoming more furrowed and darker with age. Bark color can range from light gray to dark gray-brown.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs:</b> Young shoots and leaves may have fine hairs, but mature leaves are generally smooth. Inspect young shoots and leaf undersides for pubescence.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit: </b>The fruit consists of the winged samaras, which are produced in clusters as described above, and become tan to light brown as they mature.</div><br />
Basswood tree used in urban landscaping.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/28907755836/in/dateposted/" title="Basswood"><img alt="Basswood" height="500" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8710/28907755836_20fbf62aac.jpg" width="396" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Basswood leaf and flower/nut bract (long, narrow leaf-like thing).<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/17821466623" title="Basswood"><img alt="Basswood" height="314" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/497/17821466623_81dec8de27_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Basswood flower cluster and flower bract.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/17819521914" title="BasswoodFlowers"><img alt="BasswoodFlowers" height="256" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/449/17819521914_a30f814356_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Close-up of Basswood flowers.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/18254421030" title="BasswoodFlowers2"><img alt="BasswoodFlowers2" height="241" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/400/18254421030_25fabf8ca8_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Basswood leaves and seedpods.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/4680442717/" title="Basswood2 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Basswood2" height="375" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1296/4680442717_1b780daf84.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/15085417486" title="Basswood2"><img alt="Basswood2" height="240" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/4/3842/15085417486_6b970e8da8_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/15105400601" title="Basswood"><img alt="Basswood" height="240" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3855/15105400601_225c42d997_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Basswood leaves.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/15105409931" title="Basswood3"><img alt="Basswood3" height="240" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3876/15105409931_f7e2824e40_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Almost-ripe Basswood nuts in the fall.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/29452103340/in/dateposted/" title="Basswood"><img alt="Basswood" height="500" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8525/29452103340_f5426a7f47.jpg" width="390" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Ripe Basswood nuts.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/29743485675/in/photostream/" title="Basswood"><img alt="Basswood" height="500" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8528/29743485675_0b90a947d3.jpg" width="338" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Basswood bark.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/6138438099/" title="BasswoodTrunk by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BasswoodTrunk" height="495" src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6138438099_465944896a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12471954865/" title="BasswoodTX by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BasswoodTX" height="346" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/12471954865_fb6641b58e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472089853/" title="Basswood by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Basswood" height="415" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/12472089853_abee4584f5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Stately basswood trees range from 60 to 120 feet tall with shallowly-furrowed, somewhat greyish bark and round crowns. There are thirty species in North America with Tilia Americana and Tilia caroliniana being the most common in Texas. Basswoods prefer loose, well-drained soil with access to moisture, in particular river flood-plains and in low areas of woods. <br />
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The sweet sap, running in the spring before the leaf buds open, can be boiled down into a syrup or just drank as-is. Be sure to sterilize your tools before using them to cut or drill into the tree to collect sap or inner bark. This reduces the chance of a fungal infection striking the basswood. <br />
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A very delicious, spicy tea is made from the small flowers of basswood trees, which appear in the spring. The flowers can also be eaten raw. Bees love these flowers and often the tree can be found just by listening for the buzz of the hundreds of bees collecting its nectar. The resulting honey has a flavor imparted from the basswood nectar.<br />
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The young leaf buds and leaves can be eaten raw and have a slightly sweet flavor similar to the flowers. These parts can also be cooked like pot-herbs. <br />
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In the fall the nuts make a good trailside nibble while hiking, but only eat the inner meat, not the nuts’ outer shells.<br />
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The calorie-rich cambium layer, just under the bark, is stripped, finely diced, and boiled into a porridge-like mush to eat any time of the year. In Europe towards the end of World War II basswood sawdust was added to bread to try and produce enough loaves to fill everyone’s belly.<br />
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This cambium layer can be used to make strong fibers that can be woven into rope, containers and crude cloth. This inner bark must be soaked for up to two weeks to rot away the majority of the plant’s cells, leaving behind just the fibers. The wood itself is great for carving and for making the body of guitars.<br />
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<br />
Buy my book! Idiots Guide Foraging covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-2097756763513219642012-10-22T18:02:00.003-05:002023-12-18T20:56:14.881-06:00Barbados Cherry<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Name(s):</span> Malpighia glabra and other Malpighia species<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> common<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> flowers, berries <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> flowers raw or tea; fruit raw, jelly, jam, wine<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> landscaping <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> spring, summer, fall, winter <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> vitamin C<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers: </span><span>none</span><br />
<br /><div><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>Leaves are arranged oppositely along the branches.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>The leaves are ovate to elliptical, typically measuring 1 to 3 inches in length.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Venation: </b>Venation is pinnate, with a distinct midrib and smaller lateral veins.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Margin: </b>Margins are entire, smooth, and sometimes slightly wavy.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Color: </b>A glossy green, often with a leathery texture.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>The flowers are small and have a diameter of approximately 1 inch. They are typically arranged in clusters at the terminal ends of branches. Flowers have five club-shaped petals spaced widely apart.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Flower Color: </b>The flowers are typically pink or rose-colored with a diameter of about .</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Fruit: </b>Produces a bright red, berry-like fruit, similar in appearance to a cherry.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Seed: </b>Each fruit contains several small seeds.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Stem: </b>Stems are woody, with a branching habit forming a dense shrub.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Hairs: </b>There are no significant hairs on the leaves or stems.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Height: </b>The plant usually forms a shrub up to 3 to 6 feet tall, sometimes taller under ideal conditions.</div></div><br />
Barbados cherry bush.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8316246149/" title="BarbadosCherryShrub by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BarbadosCherryShrub" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8316246149_5e1d45bd1c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Barbados cherry fruit.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/9234264641/" title="BarbadosCherry by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BarbadosCherry" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/9234264641_a813f8fbb8.jpg" width="462" /></a><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/21841340888/in/dateposted-public/" title="Barbados Cherry"><img alt="Barbados Cherry" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/670/21841340888_0646118c31.jpg" width="374" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8319547735/" title="BarbadosCherryFruit by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BarbadosCherryFruit" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8319547735_9f7e225af7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Close-ups of the Barbados cherry flowers.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8316247343/" title="BarbadosCherryFlowers1 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BarbadosCherryFlowers1" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8316247343_8c9e06c419.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8316244515/" title="BarbadosCherryFlower2 by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BarbadosCherryFlower2" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/8316244515_2580131061.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Barbados cherry leaf.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8316248451/" title="BarbadosCherryLeaf by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BarbadosCherryLeaf" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8084/8316248451_2e8a6bda11.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/22002993386/in/dateposted-public/" title="Barbados Cherry"><img alt="Barbados Cherry" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5799/22002993386_e8f92f305c.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472105463/" title="BarbadosCherryTX by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BarbadosCherryTX" height="346" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/12472105463_549d13d659.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472089763/" title="BarbadosCherry by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BarbadosCherry" height="415" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/12472089763_6bfedee420.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Barbados cherries originally come from the Caribbean. When it was discovered a single berry contains the daily recommended dose of vitamin C it was quickly adopted by navies to help against scurvy and so planted in many places. The plant doesn't handle cold well, though it does fine in normal Southern winters if only a few hard frosts occur. They are evergreen, which increases their appeal in landscapes.<br />
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The flowers can be eaten raw or used to make tea. However, it is best to leave the flowers alone so as to maximize fruit production.<br />
The fruit starts appearing in May and will continue to appear waves through the winter if the weather is mild. These berries range in flavor from somewhat sweet to very acidic, with the higher acid content also having the higher vitamin C. Eat the berries raw if they aren't too sour/acidic, otherwise use them in jelly, jam, juice or wine.<br />
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Many plant nurseries have Barbados cherries for sale. Plant in sunny, well-drained soil but do keep them watered. A layer of mulch will help prevent the roots from drying out. Single plants will produce berries but the fruit production will be much higher if two or more Barbados cherries of different varieties are planted within 4-16 feet of each other for cross-pollination. <br />
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<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-78792223311078900382012-10-17T21:34:00.002-05:002023-11-29T18:00:33.594-06:00Bay Laurel<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific name:</span> Laurus nobilis & Persea borbonia var. borbonia<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> plentiful<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> nuts, leaves<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> roast nuts, used leaf as seasoning<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> woods, borders<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> leaves all year, nuts in the fall<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutritional Value:</span> Calcium, iron, other minerals, vitamins A, C, B6, folate.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Other uses:</span> nuts contain a mild stimulant<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers:</span> Looks similar to the very poisonous cherry laurel. The leaves of cherry laurel smell like cherry/cyanide and have toothed edges while bay laurel leaves have smooth edges and smell like Italian seasoning.<br />
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Medicinal Summary:</b><br />
Leaves - aid digestion; reduces bloating from gas; soothes skin, urinary tract and bronchial inflammations (<a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/2011/02/medicinal-concoctions.html">tisane</a>)<br />
<br /><b>Laurus nobilis (Sweetbay) Structures:</b><br /><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>Bay Laurel leaves are alternate, glossy, and lanceolate.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>Leaves are elliptical, measuring around 2 to 4 inches in length.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Venation: </b>Prominent veins are visible on the leaves, contributing to their overall structure.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Margin: </b>Leaf margins are typically smooth, without serrations.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>Bay Laurel produces small, yellow-green flowers arranged in clusters.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Fruit: </b>The fruit is a small, shiny black berry, approximately 0.5 inches in diameter.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Bark: </b>The bark is smooth and light gray-brown on younger branches, becoming rougher on older trunks.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Height: </b>Bay Laurel trees can reach heights of 30 to 40 feet.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Hairs: </b>Leaves are generally smooth, but young leaves may have fine hairs on the undersides.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Fragrance: </b>The leaves emit a distinctive "bay" aromatic scent when crushed.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Color: </b>Leaves are dark green, and flowers are yellow-green.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Persea borbonia (Redbay) Structures:</b></div><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>Redbay leaves are alternate, simple, and lanceolate.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>Leaves are lance-shaped, measuring around 3 to 6 inches in length.</div><div><b> </b></div><div><b>Leaf Venation: </b>Prominent veins are visible on the leaves, contributing to their overall structure.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Leaf Margin: </b>Leaf margins are typically smooth, without serrations.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>Redbay produces small, greenish-yellow flowers arranged in clusters.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Fruit: </b>The fruit is a small, shiny drupe, black when mature, approximately 0.5 inches in diameter.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Bark: </b>The bark is smooth and reddish-brown on younger branches, becoming rougher on older trunks.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height: </b>Redbay trees can reach heights of 30 to 50 feet.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs: </b>Leaves are generally smooth, without noticeable hairs.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fragrance: </b>The leaves may have a pleasant scent of traditional bay spice when crushed.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Color:</b> Leaves are dark green, and flowers are greenish-yellow.</div><div><br /></div><br />
Young tree. They get much bigger with time.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/3377522157/" title="baylaurel.jpg by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="baylaurel.jpg" height="500" src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/3377522157_d2afe0be87.jpg" width="443" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/2841197571/" title="baylaurel1.jpg by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="baylaurel1.jpg" height="375" src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2841197571_7a73ec0663.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Much older, larger bay tree!<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/28836752462/in/dateposted/" title="Bay"><img alt="Bay" height="500" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8734/28836752462_527f8bf587.jpg" width="374" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Leaves closeup (Bay Laurel leaves have smooth edges)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/2841197915/" title="baylaurel2.jpg by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="baylaurel2.jpg" height="375" src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/2841197915_2b92ebf99d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Nuts<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/3014042681/" title="baylaurelseeds.jpg by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="baylaurelseeds.jpg" height="375" src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/3014042681_5db06d8968.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Dead leaves on a bay tree suffering Laurel Wilt. This fungal disease is transferred by an alien beetle and is wiping out our native bay trees. Currently there's no cure. :-(<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/28656047130/in/photostream/" title="Bay Tree"><img alt="Bay Tree" height="500" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8535/28656047130_2f46be97fd.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Teeth (pointy bits along edge of leaves) + cyanide/cherry smell = poisonous cherry laurel. DO NOT EAT CHERRY LAUREL!!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/8583873137/" title="LaurelCherryRuler by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="LaurelCherryRuler" height="379" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8583873137_ea1bbc687e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12471955355/" title="BayTX by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BayTX" height="346" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/12471955355_01867cf59b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I know these can be found in Montgomery County, TX.<br />
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North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472430094/" title="BayLaurel by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BayLaurel" height="415" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/12472430094_42ce45f035.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Texas has multiple types of bay trees. Around Houston the most common are sweet bay (Laurus nobilis), redbay (Persea borbonia) and laurel cherry (Prunus caroliniana). All three grow in the same environment, preferably as understory trees in moist, shaded areas. Very slow growing, most you’ll find will be small trees around 20’ tall. However, mature trees can rival oaks in size and appearance. Crushed sweet bay and redbay leaves have a wonderful bay aroma while laurel cherry smells like bitter almonds or artificial cherry scent. That bitter almond smell is poisonous cyanide and the so the leaves of the laurel cherry should not be used as a seasoning or consumed in any other manner. <br />
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Besides scent, the toxic laurel cherry trees can be distinguished from safe sweet bay and redbay by the edges of their leaves. The sweet bay and redbay leaf edges will be smooth while the dangerous laurel cherry leaves will have teeth, ranging in number from two very small ones near the base to many all along the leaf edge.<br />
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The leaves of the sweet bay and redbay are available all year long and are added to sauces and other foods where one would traditionally use bay leaves. They do have a very potent flavor, so you usually don't need to add more than 3-4. They can be used fresh or dried. Add the leaves while cooking but remove them before serving as no bay leaves should actually be eaten. Supposedly these stiff, hard leaves can penetrate an intestine.<br />
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In the fall the dark nuts are toasted and then nibbled on as a strongly-flavored snack. Remove the soft flesh from the bay nut then roll the nuts around in a very hot pan until they start to split open. Remove the outer brittle husk then return the inner meat back to the pan for a final toasting. No oil or grease is needed. These toasted nuts can also be ground and used as a seasoning. 3-5 of these roasted seeds, when boiled in water then adding nutmeg and cinnamon make a very pleasant drink which tastes somewhat like coffee.<br />
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Our bay trees are currently under grave attack by a fungal disease transmitted by the invasive, Asian beetle Xyleborus glabratus. This fungal infection first shows up by branches dying and their leaves turning brown. Eventually the whole tree will die, taking with it the main birthplace of Palamedes Swallowtail butterflies. So this disease may not just wipe out one of the south's most common trees, it may also drive that butterfly to extinction, too.<br />
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<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597441491086797162.post-59615774275605068502012-10-14T23:19:00.003-05:002023-12-05T21:56:40.876-06:00American Beautyberry<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific name:</span> Callicarpa americana, Callicarpa japonica<br />
<b>Abundance:</b> Plentiful<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> ripe berries<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How:</span> raw, preserves<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> woods<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> late summer, fall<br />
<b>Nutritional Value:</b> minor amounts of vitamins and carbohydrates<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Other uses:</span> Recent studies indicate beauty berry leaves contain several very strong mosquito repellent molecules. Toxicity of these molecules still needs to be determined.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dangers:</span> Some people have reported stomach upset after eating beauty berries. Limit yourself to small servings until you know how your body will react.<br />
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Medicinal Summary:</b><br />
Root Bark - diuretic; treats dysentery and stomach aches (<a href="https://www.foragingtexas.com/2011/02/medicinal-concoctions.html">tisane</a>)<br />
Leaves & Root - sweatbath soothes rheumatism<br />
<br /><div><b>Leaf Arrangement: </b>The leaves are arranged in an opposite-alternating pattern along the stems.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Shape: </b>The leaves are typically ovate to elliptic, with a length ranging from 2 to 6 inches and a width of 1.5 to 3 inches.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Venation:</b> The venation is pinnate.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Margin:</b> The leaf margin is serrated or toothed.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf Color:</b> The leaves are green.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Structure: </b>The flowers are small, with a diameter of approximately 1/8 inch, and are clustered around leaf/stem junctions.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flower Color:</b> Callicarpa americana flowers can be pink to purple.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fruit:</b> The fruit is a drupe, usually glossy and violet to purple, about 1/8 inch in diameter.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seed:</b> Seeds are small and enclosed within the drupe.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bark:</b> The bark is usually smooth and brown.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hairs:</b> Leaves and stems have fine hairs.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Height:</b> Callicarpa americana typically grows to a height of 3 to 8 feet.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
American Beautyberry with ripe berries.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/2818434375/" title="beautyberry.jpg by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="beautyberry.jpg" height="375" src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/2818434375_b9b9556028.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Closeup of the berries. They are almost ripe, just need to darken to a deep purple color.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5004636614/" title="Beautyberries by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Beautyberries" height="500" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5004636614_1215deb873.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Closeup of a beautyberry leaf.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5004637630/" title="BeautyberryLeaf by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BeautyberryLeaf" height="500" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5004637630_737b9f2de5.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Immature berry clusters.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/3623428905/" title="Youngbeautyberry by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Youngbeautyberry" height="500" src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3623428905_922c27839f.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Japanese beautyberry stay white rather than turn purple. They are edible.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/5004639040/" title="AsianBeautyberry by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="AsianBeautyberry" height="375" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5004639040_fe2f9fd1c0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12471955875/" title="BeautyberryTX by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="BeautyberryTX" height="346" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/12471955875_ee69c3da37.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16402403@N00/12472430364/" title="Beautyberry by merriwether, on Flickr"><img alt="Beautyberry" height="415" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/12472430364_ca1f158614.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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As late summer turns to fall the bright magenta berries of American beautyberry capture the eye. These shrubs average 3’ to 5’ tall and wide but exceptional ones can grow over 8’ tall. They are understory plants found in most wooded areas, especially if moist soil. American beautyberry shrubs lose their leaves in the winter but the clusters of dried berries often remain on its long, drooping branches. Leaves appear in late spring, often after many other plants. The clusters of purple/pink flowers appear in early summer and quickly become small, white-pink berries.<br />
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American beautyberry berries become edible upon reaching full ripeness which usually occurs in late summer to early fall. They should be a dark purple/magenta color but not turning wrinkled and dry. These berries can be eaten raw and have a mild, slight medicinal flavor. To truly maximize the potential of these berries it is best to make jelly out of them. Combine 1.5 qts of berries with 1 qt. water, boil for 20 minutes and then strain out the solids. Add 4.5 cups of sugar and one envelope of Sure Jell to the liquid. Bring the liquid back up to boil for two minutes, skimming off any foam. Pour the hot jelly into sterilized jars and seal. If it doesn't set up you'll need to add another 1/4 envelope of Sure Jell or just use it as a fantastic syrup! The resulting jelly has a unique flavor which reminds me of rose petals and champagne.<br />
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These berries can also be used to make wine. Being low in sugars it is best to combine American beautyberry fruit with something sweeter such as grapes or bananas, otherwise the resulting wine will be a bit weak and have an uncomplex flavor. <br />
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Some people have reported stomach upset after eating beauty berries. Limit yourself to small servings until you know how your body will react<br />
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Three different molecules having mosquito repellent properties have been found in the leaves. Testing by the US army shows these compounds are similar to DEET in their ability to repel mosquitoes but human toxicity has not been determined. I recommend rubbing crushed leaves on your clothing rather than directly onto bare skin. Also note, while effective against mosquitoes these three chemicals don't seem to repel wood ticks or chiggers. <br />
<br /><br />
<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C">Buy my book! <i>Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging </i>covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.<br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1PH0C"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxYGv5CZmJFfrpzfpdcI4fVnLlhUY5TdFike1TLLXUzgrG06zBChLgSpunuyZogmATXBCXGq6iiLzfYkO0TbK1SXNS-Aw-6L3VrbRgrxAr1gCe85irIOrMbvv8B-B8u3niDXAEyFUepDWLtvhXWZZZpK59vQbOco4ATKfLLKoW2haAvIj-YszgQvxYQ/w155-h200/Foraging_OAG_FT.jpeg" width="155" /></a></span></div>Merriwetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739216676240138158noreply@blogger.com