1. FORAGING
17 JAN 2013

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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.

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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

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

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

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

16. DULSE Palmaria palmata Dried dulse Maine dulse
Habitat view New Brunswick