Desert Foraging By: Eileen Russell

Introduction to Foraging People have been foraging food for survival for thousands of years In our modern times, we have lost the art of identifying and harvesting wild plants for consumption However, in the last few decades there has been a resurgence of interest in foraging People all over the world are re-discovering that many plants commonly seen as “weeds” are actually delicious! What foragers also know is that time spent hunting for delicious greens, herbs, berries, roots or even medicinal plants has a satisfaction all it’s own

Five Local Plants Cattail Plantain Dandelion Desert Willow Mulberry Cactus Pads

Safety Positive I.D. Before Eating any wild plant, make sure you can ID the plant with 100% accuracy If you cannot I.D. the plant - ask a local There are many ways to I.D. a plant! Check out books Check online Get a Plant I.D. Phone App Taste/Allergy Test After Positive I.D. you must test the plant to see if you are allergic Allergic reactions can happen with non-toxic plants as well as toxic plants! There are many ways to I.D. a plant! Check out books Get a Plant I.D. Phone App

Safety Continued Avoid Polluted Plants Avoid plants from areas that have been sprayed with chemical fertilizers, insecticides or weed control Also avoid plants if you suspect an area you are foraging are polluted with waste water Roadside stops can be tempting but highway plants are contaminated with gasoline and other fossil fuels Always Wash It can be tempting to nibble on a freshly picked plant but ALWAYS bring your collection home to wash first In addition to possible pollution, plants may have come into contact with insects or animal droppings A quick wash will ensure they are ready to eat

Safety Continued Personal Safety ALWAYS ask permission to forage on private land or in National Parks (Or an other areas where it may be considered trespassing) You could find yourself arrested Dangerous Animals/Snakes Be Careful! Become familiar animals/snakes in your foraging areas It is safest to forage in a secluded area with a “buddy” Dress Appropriately It is wise to wear gloves, hat, pants and it doesn’t hurt to carry insect repellent and sunscreen Tools Sharp Knife/Pruning Shears, Shovel Basket/Bucket and perhaps a notebook to jot down the location of plants to find the following year

Poisonous Plants Always consult and expert of a good field guide for your area! Each county/region is different so make sure you have the background information and means to I.D. Some toxic plants can lead to non-fatal reactions, while others can be far more dangerous Poisonous Fungi (Mushrooms) Must be very carefully identified Death Cap Mushroom, False Morels, etc… Poisonous Look-Alikes Familiarize yourself with the features of edible plants and their look-alike toxic cousins Two plants can resemble each other throughout their growing stages Sometimes they resemble each other for only one developmental stage

Resources There are many reliable resources to help you I.D. edible plants and get tips on where to forage in different regions. Listed below are some reputable field guides to reference before attempting foraging. Online: Wild Edible Forage App (This is an app for the IPhone and Android) Firstways – Firstways.com Wild Man Wild Food (UK) – wildmanwildfood.com Fall Fruit – Interactive fruit tree forage – fallingfruit.org Books: The Forest’s Harvest by: Samuel Thayer Wild Edibles; A Practical Guide to Foraging by: Sergee Boutenko The Forager Handbook by: Miles Irving Western Medicinal Plants & Herbs by: Peterson Field Guides Feasting Free on Wild Edibles by: Stackpole Books Wildflowers of Southwestern Utah; A Field Guide to Bryce Canyon Weeds of the West by: The University of Wyoming Learn to Survive Zeb by: Norma Perkins The Complete Guide to Edible Wildplants by: Katie Letcher Lyle

Thank You! Now let’s learn by doing 