FORAGING 17 JAN 2013

Identifying Plants Never eat a plant unless you are 100 percent positive of its identity

Identifying Plants 1. Tentative identification A first encounter The plant appears similar to one seen in a field guide. Is this Japanese knotweed?

Identifying Plants 2. Reference comparison Compare the plant to the description in Nature’s Garden Confirm as many characters as possible

Identifying Plants 3. Cross-referencing Does the description in the text agree with the description in the field guide? Compare to other field guides.

Identifying Plants 4. Specimen search Do all plant specimens at the site or location agree with the descriptions

Identifying Plants 5. Contradictory confidence There is a complete identification. The plant is Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decr., Japanese knotweed Experience is a valuable means of enlarging a base knowledge of edible plants. The more plants that are identified, more specimens are observed, more terms become familiar, plants are associated with specific habitats.

If the taste is not agreeable, do not eat! Know your allergies – nuts are known as allergens to many.

Poisons Conium maculatum Rheum rhabarbarum Water hemlock, all parts are poisonous Rhubarb leaves are rich in oxalic acid, leaf stalks or petioles contain much less Conium maculatum Rheum rhabarbarum

Edible Plant Parts Storage Organs Reproductive Parts Meristems Roots Tubers, Rhizomes, Bulbs, Corms Leaves Reproductive Parts Flowers Fruits Seeds Meristems

Asparagus officinalis Meristems Meristems of stems: Break or snap Tend to be weak or pliable Leaves are immature Appear thicker than mature parts Abrupt ends Appear lighter than mature stems May be devoid of hairs, ridges, thorns, etc Asparagus officinalis Fallopia japonica

Meristems Lactuca sativa Lettuce The young leaves are preferred Meristems of leaves: Small in size Folded or curved Lobes may not be fully developed Leaves usually lighter in color Young leaves may be stretched

Meristems Brassica oleracea Broccoli The unopened flowers or buds are preferred Brassica oleracea

KOMBU Laminaria japonica A brown seaweed; kelp Habitat Drying Cuisine Delicious as is, soaked, simmered, sauteed, roasted, pan fried or marinated.

NORI Porphyra yezoensis and P. tenera Rice cracker sushi wrap plant from nature Smoked salmon rice cracker snack

DULSE Palmaria palmata Dried dulse Maine dulse Habitat view New Brunswick