Mallow - Marsh

Scientific name: Hibiscus lasiocarpos
Abundance: rare
What: roots, young leaves, flower buds,
How: Leaves, roots, stem, and flowers contain a mucilage-like material which can be used to thicken soups and stews. Flowers can be eaten raw. Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked with other greens or boiled alone. Roots are peeled, sliced then fried. Flower buds can be raw or cooked. All parts of the plant can be made into tea, seeds are roast and ground for a coffee substitute.
Where: Moist areas
When: Young leaves in spring, summer; roots all year, flowers in summer.
Nutritional Value: Roots high in starch, rest of plant contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals

Medicinal Summary:
Root - demulcent; laxative; slows sugar transfer from stomach to blood; soothes gastrointestinal inflammations (poultice, tisane)

Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are broadly ovate, with a length of approximately 4 to 6 inches and a width of 3 to 5 inches.

Leaf Venation: The venation is palmate, with prominent veins.

Leaf Margin: The leaf margin is serrated, featuring tooth-like projections along the edge.

Leaf Color: The upper side of the leaves is typically medium to dark green, while the underside may have a lighter hue.

Flower Structure: The 5-petaled flowers are large and showy, with a diameter of about 3 to 5 inches. They are located at the terminal ends of the stems.

Flower Color: The flowers are white to pink with deeper red centers. Calyx have long, narrow protrusions wrapping up the sides of the flower buds.

Fruit: The fruit is an okra-like capsule, approximately 1" long, containing longitudinal lines of seeds attached to a central, multi-sided rib.

Seed: Immature seeds are white and soft, turning dark and hard when mature.

Stem: The stems are erect, with a woody base, supporting the large, terminal flowers. Young stems sections are green or red whereas lower, mature sections can be brown.

Hairs: The leaves, stems, sepals, and calyx are covered in fine, fuzzy hairs.

Height: Hibiscus lasiocarpos can reach a height of 3 to 6 feet, with the large flowers extending above the foliage.

Marsh mallow flowers and flower buds, both of which are edible.


Marsh mallow (plants grow up to four feet tall). Note last year's dried seedpods.




Marsh mallow leaf.


Close-up of marsh mallow leaf. Note the fine hairs which give it a velvety feel.


Marsh mallow flower.




Marsh mallow flower buds before blooming.


Note the long, narrow calyx wrapping up the sides of the buds .


Tender seedpods taste kind of like okra.


Dried marsh mallow seed pods which have split open, revealing their seeds.


North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.


Marsh mallows are usually found in shady, moist areas but on occasion they can be found in sunny, moist areas, too.

To make original marshmallows, peel roots and slice them into thin wafers then boil 20 minutes in minimum amount of water. Remove the root slices, add sugar or other sweetener and boil down fluid until very thick. Whip this hot fluid like egg whites then drop globs onto wax paper, after they've cooled dust them with powdered sugar.

The seeds can be roasted then ground in a coffee grinder for use as a substitute for real coffee. It tastes pretty good, though does not have any caffeine.

Young leaves and tender flower buds can be used to thicken soups, stews, curries, and other sauces. The tender flower buds can also be pickled or fried like okra. Opened flowers can be used in salads or made into tea though these are best the first day they've opened.

The dried root has been used in herbal "tobacco" substitutes.

Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides 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.

Mallow

Scientific name: Malva neglecta, Malva parviflora
Abundance: common
What: leaves, young shoots, roots
How: raw, steamed, sauteed, tea. leaves and roots produce a thickening agent
Where: sunny, fields, yards
When: spring, summer, fall, winter
Nutritional Value: very high in minerals, vitamins A & C, and protein.

Medicinal Summary:
Leaves - demulcent; laxative; slows sugar transfer from stomach to blood; soothes gastrointestinal inflammations (tisane, poultice)

Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged in an alternate pattern along the stem.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are round to kidney-shaped, typically measuring about 1 to 2.5 inches in diameter.

Leaf Venation: The venation is palmate, with several major veins radiating from a single point at the leaf base.

Leaf Margin: The margins of the leaves are crenate to serrate (rounded to sharp).

Leaf Color: The leaves are a deep green, often with a lighter shade on the underside.

Flower Structure: The flowers are small, with five petals, and are borne in clusters in the leaf axils or at the stem tips. Each flower measures about 0.5 to 1 inch across.

Flower Color: The flowers are usually pale pink with darker pink stripes.

Fruit: The fruit is a round, flat, disk-like schizocarp, divided into segments (mericarps).

Seed: Each segment of the fruit contains one seed, which is kidney-shaped and light brown.

Stem: The stem is hairy and can be either erect or sprawling.

Hairs: The plant has fine hairs covering the stems and leaves.

Height: Malva neglecta typically grows to a height of 6 to 24 inches.

Young Mallow sprouts.


Mallow leaves and flowers.






Close-up of the Malva neglecta flower and "cheese" seedpod.


If not mowed, these mallows can become small bushes.




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.


North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.


Don't mistake young toxic. Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens) for Mallow seedlings. Creeping Buttercup leaves have deeper clefts and a shinier, light-green color. If you aren't sure what you have, wait a few weeks to see how the plant grows. If it develops yellow flowers and sharply cleft leaves it's the toxic Creeping Buttercup.

Young, toxic Creeping Buttercup.


Mature, toxic Creeping Buttercup.


Driving through Giddings, TX always excites me because that's where I start seeing Malva neglect. The coarse, hairy plant appears in forms ranging from small, scraggly yard weeds to thick, lush, large beds along country roads. Leaves will range in size from under one inch to over two inches across. The green, scalloped leaves quickly become unmistakable after a few encounters, allowing the forager to pick them out from quite a distance. Unless knocked back by a very hard frost these mallows will continue to grow all year long. They do seem to do a bit better in cooler months, however.

The flowers of Malva neglecta are mainly white with pinkish or purplish stripes which can end up coloring the entire flower. After the flower comes the "cheese" which is a round seedpod. These seedpods are a good nibble when still green and tender. Later on when the pods turn hard and brown the seeds can be collected and eaten but they are quite small.

These mallows are "superfoods" rich in vitamins, minerals and protein. It's mature leaves are rarely eaten fresh as they are stiff and rough and have a bland taste that is easy covered by others flavors. A popular way of consuming this plant is to dry it then crumble it into smoothies, soups, stews, or other foods with sauces.


Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides 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.

Mallow - Rose

Scientific Names: Hibiscus palustris
Abundance: very rare
What: flowers, leaves, seeds, seed pods, roots
How: flowers raw, young leaves raw or cooked, seeds roasted. Tender seed pods are cooked. Roots are diced then roasted.
Where: sunny areas, often used in landscaping
When: spring, summer, fall
Nutritional Value: Flowers high in antioxidants; seeds are high in protein & starch; leaves high in minerals; roots contain starch.

Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are typically palmately lobed, with a length of approximately 3 to 5 inches and a width of 2 to 4 inches.

Leaf Venation: The venation is palmate, with several prominent veins spreading outward from the base of the leaf.

Leaf Margin: The leaf margin is toothed, featuring serrations along the edge.

Leaf Color: The upper side of the leaves is medium to dark green, while the underside may have a lighter hue.

Flower Structure: The 5-petaled flowers are typically solitary, with a diameter of about 2 to 4 inches. They are located at the leaf axils. Calyx has long, spidery fingers running up alongside the flower buds.

Flower Color: The flowers can range in color from white to pale pink or light lavender with a darker red interior.

Fruit: The fruit is a 1" capsule, containing seeds.

Seed: Seeds are small, dark, and numerous within the capsule. They start out white/off-white and then turn brown as the mature.

Stem: The stems are erect, often reddish in color, and may have fine hairs.

Hairs: Fine hairs may be present on the stems and leaves.

Height: Hibiscus palustris can reach a height of 3 to 6 feet, with the flowers positioned at the leaf axils along the stems.

Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus palustris) plants grow up to five feet tall.




Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus palustris) flower and bud.


Closeup of flower buds (green fruit).


Closeup of Rose Mallow flower (petals may be white to pink in color).




Closeup of Rose Mallow seeds inside pod (brown fruit).


Halberd-Leaved Rose Mallow (Hibiscus militaris) plant and flower buds.


Close-up of Halberd-Leaved Rose Mallow (Hibiscus militaris) leaf.


Close-up of young Halberd-Leaved Rose Mallow (Hibiscus militaris) flower bud.


Rose mallows are usually found in moist, sunny areas but on occasion they can be found in shady, moist areas, too.

The seeds can be roasted then ground in a coffee grinder for use as a substitute for real coffee. It tastes pretty good, though does not have any caffeine.

Young tender leaves can be cooked like spinach but I find them a bit too rough/stiff to use raw. The flowers are good raw or added to tea. The tender, young flower buds and seed pods can be used like okra, either friend, pickled, or added to Cajun and African foods. The flowers work well in salads.


Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides 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.

Maple

Scientific name: Acer spp.
Abundance: common
What: Inner bark, seeds, leaves, sap
How: Boil inner bark or dry into flour, cook seeds, young leaves raw or cooked, boil sap down to syrup
Where: everywhere
When: anytime
Nutritional value: sugar in sap, protein and carbohydrates in seeds, minerals in leaves, carbohydrates in inner bark.

Leaf Arrangement: Opposite arrangement along the stem.

Leaf Shape: Simple, palmately lobed leaves with typically five lobes, each measuring 3 to 5 inches in width.

Leaf Color: Green on top and grayish underneath in summer, transitioning to vibrant shades of orange, red, or yellow in the fall.

Leaf Margin: Serrated leaf margins.

Flower Structure: Inconspicuous, small, greenish-yellow flowers in clusters (racemes).

Flower Size: Individual flowers are tiny, around 1/8 inch.

Fruit (Samara): Paired samaras or "helicopters," each about 1 to 1.5 inches long.

Seed Size: 1/2 inch seed with a wing extending approximately out 1" from each.

Bark: Gray and smooth on young trees, becoming rough with age, forming ridges and furrows.

Height: Mature trees can reach heights of 60 to 75 feet, occasionally exceeding 100 feet.

Hairs: Sparse hairs may be present on young stems and leaves.

Maple leaves and almost-mature "helicopter" seeds.


Maple leaves.


Close-up of sugar maple leaves (top and bottom).


Trunk/bark of sugar maple tree.


Mature sugar maple seeds (August in Houston).


Red maple seeds. They are ready in the spring before the tree puts out its leaves.


Traditional drill, bucket and spile (tap) for collecting maple sap.


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.


North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.


One doesn't usually think of maples as common Texas trees however native stand of sugar maples (Acer saccharum Marsh.) still survive in TX Lost Maples Canyon as holdovers from the last ice age. Sugar maples are a common landscaping plant but they are heavy water users. The native red maple (Acer rubrum), with its beautiful red seeds and leaves, is much more common. Both will have the five-pointed leaves like one sees on Canadian flags and beer bottle labels. Both will also produce the "helicopter" seeds hat twirl and spin as they fall from the tree.

In late winter/early spring maples will begin producing leaf buds. These tiny buds and the newest leaves they produce make a good woodland's nibble. They can be added raw to salads or even cooked like spinach.

Maple seeds can be roasted like pumpkins seeds. Remove the seeds from their "wings" before roasting. The young leaves are best within the first few weeks of appearing and are delicious raw and wonderful when added to salads, especially with a tangy oil/vinegar dressing.

The inner bark is mainly a survival food. Cut long vertical strips of the bark off the tree, not exceeding more than 10% of the width of the tree trunk. Taking more will most likely kill the tree and even just taking 10% will greatly weaken it. The inner bark looks like a brown paper bag. Slice it into thin strips then boil it for several hours to make a mush. It will still tastes pretty much like a boiled paper bag.

Tapping sugar maples is best done in late winter when daytime highs are 40-50F but below freezing at night. Texas weather rarely gives such a clear sign so some luck is involved in getting the timing right. Note that it takes boiling down 40 gallons of sap to get one gallon of syrup. Complete directions for making maple syrup and maple sugar are HERE.


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.

Mayapple

Scientific Name(s): Podophyllum peltatum
Abundance: uncommon
What: fruit
How: peel rind then eat raw
Where: woods
When: early summer
Nutritional Value:
Dangers: fruit contains a small amount of toxin but is safe to eat in moderation. Do not eat the seeds or fruit rind.

Leaf Arrangement: 1st year plants have one leaf. Plants two years or older plants will have two leaves opposite each other at the end of the stem.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are large, deeply lobed, and umbrella-like, often reaching lengths of 12 to 16 inches and widths of 8 to 12 inches.

Leaf Venation: The venation is palmate, with several prominent veins radiating outward from the base of the leaf.

Leaf Margin: The leaf margin is typically lobed and can be smooth or slightly wavy.

Leaf Color: The leaves are bright green and may have a slightly glossy appearance. The underside is paler than the upper surface.

Flower Structure: The flowers are solitary, one per plant, and appear at the leaf axils, typically measuring around 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

Flower Color: The flowers are usually white, occasionally with a tinge of pink or yellow.

Fruit: The fruit is a large, fleshy berry.

Seed: The seeds are numerous, small, and brown, contained within the berry.

Stem: The stem is round and smooth.

Hairs: The plant may have minimal to no hairs on the stem and leaves.

Height: Podophyllum peltatum can reach a height of 12 to 18 inches, with the large, distinctive leaves held above the ground on a single stem.

Mayapple seedling.


Mayapples in East Texas woods in March.


Mayapple plants in June in central Texas. They can have either one or two leaves.


Individual mayapple plant.


Mayapples stems are about nine inches long before the Y-joint and about 18 inches overall.


Mayapple leaves.


Mayapple Y-joint. A single fruit grows off the small stem at the center of the Y-joint.


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.


North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.


Mayapples are oddly named as its single, white flower appears in the spring, but the fruit doesn't ripen until early June in Texas. The fruit is yellow and somewhat wrinkly when ripe and small, about two inches along it's longest dimension. Do not eat the fruit if it is still green. Peel the fruit and just eat the inner flesh. Do not eat the skin/rind as it is a strong laxative. The seeds, root, and leaves contain powerful toxins and must NOT be consumed. After enjoying the fruit's flesh, plant the seeds so more mayapples will grow.

Mayapples prefer moist soil in dappled shade so look for it in low-laying woods along paths or where the tree canopy has openings that let a bit of sunlight reach the forest floor. Usually several of the above ground portions near each other are connected via a long, single root. The entire above-ground portion dies away in late summer/early fall.


Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides 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.