Urban foraging is harvesting free food in urban environments. Not sure if you can eat the weeds in your backyard? Green Deane leads classes in Florida to help students identify wild edibles in thei…
Are you growing or foraging elderberries in Florida? They're here - learn to spot them and start gathering your own healthy elderberries!
Food is everywhere and can be found as long as it's simplified. Learn some lessons from a Florida Forager, Green Deane, on how to successfully forage.
The best edible plants available in Florida wild habitats are hidden secrets that can be found in your own back yard.
Commonly mistaken for a weed, purslane is one of the most nutritious vegetables on the planet. Find out how to identify it and use it in 20 delicious recipes! #purslane #verdolagas #foraging
Latin name: Stachys floridana - Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Like fishing and hunting, collecting food from wild sources fulfills an innate drive and provides an excellent opportunity for immersion in the outdoors. While some foraging is seasonal, each season offers an abundance of species, many of which can also be harvested year around. Here's how you c
Scientific name: Stachys floridana Abundance: common What: tubers, leaves, stems How: tubers raw, cooked, or pickled; leaves & stems in tea or smoked; leaves in salad Where: shady undergrowth, lawns When: during cool seasons, especially winter Nutrional value: calories from tuber, antioxidants in leaves, Dangers: plants can reproduce from even small section of tuber making them invasive Medicinal Summary: Leaves/Stems/Flowers - hemostatic; reduces cold symptoms; reduces bronchial issues; improves digestion; soothes skin inflammations (tisane, smoke, poultice) Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged opposite-alternating along the stems. Leaf Shape: The leaves are lanceolate, with a lengths of approximately 1" and widths of 3/4". Base is broader than the rounded tip. Leaf Venation: The venation is pinnate. Leaf Margin: The leaf margins are toothed, providing a slightly scalloped appearance. Leaf Color: The leaves are typically green, and there may not be a significant color difference between the top and underside. Flower Structure: The flowers are arranged in dense spikes at the tips of the stems, with individual flowers forming small, tubular structures. Each flower typically has a hood-like upper lip and a three-lobed lower lip. Flower Color: The flowers can vary in color, commonly appearing in shades of pink, purple, or lavender. Fruit: The fruit is a small nutlet or seed, produced after the flowering period. Seed: Seeds are small, ovoid, and may have a brown or black color. Stem: The stems are typically square-shaped, a characteristic feature of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Roots: Fibrous root structure with numerous white, segmented tubers when plant is mature. Hairs: The plant may have fine hairs on the stems or leaves, contributing to a slightly fuzzy or textured appearance. Height: Stachys floridana can reach a height of 12"-18", depending on environmental conditions. Young plant and immature tubers Plant and edible tuber Mature plant after it dropped its flowers in the spring. Betony patch (plants with the purple flowers are betony) Close-up of betony flowers. Close-up of betony tubers. The tubers will be this large in the spring and summer. Close-up of betony leaf. Note the square stem and the alternating, opposite leaf arrangement. These are signs of the mint family. If you have a cold, sell your coat and buy betony! -Italian proverb North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. 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. This map is VERY incomplete. Betony appears all through Gulf & East Texas. Large patches of betony plants can be found in local forest from mid-fall until mid/late spring. During this time the tubers are growing, reaching full size of over four inches long. Not every plant produces a tuber, you need to dig up quite a few to find them. The looser the soil the bigger the tubers will grow. These plants readily reproduce from bits of tubers and roots and so are considered to be invasive. Betony flowers in the spring and this is a sign the plant is almost done for the year. You can eat the flowers or make a tea from them but they don't have the strong medicinal properties of the younger leaves. Usually by the time the flowers appear it's too late to harvest betony leaves. Betony has a long history of being an herbal "magic bullet" capable of curing many ills. It's high tannic acid content helps it staunch bleeding; assorted alkaloids and antioxidants supposedly give relief from fevers and headaches along with improving overall blood circulation. In Europe it is believed to help with issues with the stomach, liver and gallbladder. It was ingested as a tea, herb, and also by both smoking and as snuff well before the arrival of tobacco. 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.
Wild edible plants are everywhere. Today I take a 2-block walk and discover 17 wild edibles just on that short trip. You can do it too - and survive.
All hail flatweed, the wonderful edible weed. This plant is easy to recognise and grows in abundance
A Pond Apple blossom in a tree by the roadside. Annona glabra Family Annonaceae Melbourne, Florida, USA. For more; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annona_glabra ============================================================================== ALL MY IMAGES OF POND APPLE; www.flickr.com/photos/3point141/sets/72157625069019545/de... ==============================================================================
The best edible plants available in Florida wild habitats are hidden secrets that can be found in your own back yard.
Herbalists know that burdock root is powerful medicine, but most would be surprised to learn that the burdock is edible as well. Burdock leaves, stalks and roots are edible and can be downright tasty if you
What Medicinal Herbs Grow Well in Central Florida? "I moved to Florida and I want to know which native medicinal herbs to look for and grow here at my new home." Question from Susan of St. Pete Beach, Florida
Gathering, drying, and using clover is so simple! If you are a beginner at using wild edibles, then learning how to preserve white clover is the place to start! #foraging #foodpreservation #whiteclover #wildedibles #howtoforage #homesteading #eattheyard #eatthelawn
Browse the botanically inspired Goods Shop products to support your herbal studies and adventures!
An edible lichen species with medicinal properties that is highly sensitive to air pollution
Chunky potting soil #happyplants #satisfyingvideo #plantparent #soil. Foraging Fosters · Original audio
As soon as I finish this delicious cup of Yaupon Holly Tea, I'll show you how to make it. As always, Pure Florida was ahead of t...
Comfrey is a wonder plant for your garden and for your medicine cabinet. It's time to start growing and foraging for comfrey!
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Ramps or wild leeks are usually just that...wild. They're foraged in the early spring, by people who happen to know a "secret" patch, usually somewhere on public land. More often than not, your "secret spot"
Homemade honeysuckle syrup with its light, sweet flavor, is so easy to make! It can be used in several ways such as on foods and to sweeten herbal preparations. Here's a simple recipe to get you started. Try it today!
Learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare the most delicious, abundant, and nourishing plants around—edible wild weeds and invasives. These wild herbs pack a medicinal punch and make for tasty, sustainable nutrient-dense dishes.
What are some of Best Florida Plants for Honeybees? Florida’s subtropical climate makes it possible to grow a host of different honeybee-friendly plants year-round. Some…
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we explore the key differences between Queen Anne’s Lace and Poison Hemlock, helping you to identify these plants safely. Remember the old adage: “The queen has hairy legs” – Queen Anne’s Lace has...
Typha Latifolia Swamp socks and a dead duck was a common occurrence growing up in the country. And summer evenings always seemed to spur a much needed shower after a day of hide and seek with the b…
Did you know that all parts of angelica are edible? Learn how to harvest and use leaves, stems, and roots – plus bonus recipe ideas – on Gardener's Path.
Scientific name: Hydrocotyle spp. Abundance: plentiful What: leaves, stems How: raw Where: yards, marshes, water When: spring, summer, fall Nutritional Value: some minerals Dangers: Thoroughly wash plants collected from water to remove any harmful bacteria. Leaf Arrangement: Leaves emerge singly on long petioles from creeping stems. Leaf Shape: The leaves are round and peltate, meaning the leaf stalk attaches to the center of the leaf blade. They typically measure 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Leaf Venation: Venation is obicular, radiating out from the central point where the petiole attaches. Leaf Margin: The leaf margins are scalloped or toothed. Leaf Color: Leaves are a bright, glossy green, sometimes with a slightly lighter color in the center. Flower Structure: Small, umbrella-like clusters of tiny flowers rise on slender stalks from the leaf axils. Flower Color: The flowers are generally white or pale green. Fruit: Produces a small, flat fruit, not typically noticeable. Seed: The seeds are contained within the small fruits, are minute in size. Stem: Stems are slender, creeping, underground, and rooted at the leaf nodes. Hairs: There are no significant hairs on the leaves or stems. Height: The foliage and flowers typically rise a few inches above the ground, with the creeping stems spreading widely along the ground surface. Dollarweeds domineering wood sorrel, pony's foot, and young cleavers. A yard taken over by dollarweeds. Dollarweeds in the woods. Dollarweeds along the shore of a pond. 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. Dollarweed is a common yard weed that drives many people nuts. The single, round leaf with a centered stem seems to explore across otherwise perfect lawns. Mowing them down or picking them leaves the roots behind which will quickly produce a new crop of green disks. These weeds vex homeowners in all but the very hottest and coldest times of the year, becoming most prevalent in the spring and fall. Dollarweeds the size of quarters or smaller and my favorites, tasting somewhat like cucumber peels. I prefer the younger, more tender, nickel-sized "circles" over larger ones. The larger ones have a dry, slightly bitter/chalky taste. Luckily, Dollarweeds of all sizes can be fermented like cabbage to make "dollarweed-kraut" or a yard-based version of kimchee. Just pick the circles, leave the stingy, tough stems behind. Dollar weed on left, edible Pony's Foot on right. Some people get confused between dollarweed and pony's foot (Dichondra carolinensis). The leaf of dollarweed is a complete circle whereas pony's foot is cleft, giving it the shape of a horse's hoof. 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.
Not sure what weeds are in your yard? Check out our Florida Weed Identification page. We are here to help you get rid of weeds, and prevent more from growing.
The manchineel holds the Guinness record for world's most dangerous tree. Everything from the fruit to the bark of this tree is poisonous and can cause blistering, burns and even blindness
WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: FLORIDA HEDGENETTLE; FLORIDA BETONY (Stachys floridana) Can be aggressive so use cautiously, but the butterflies, bees and other pollinators will LOVE …
Foraging for medicinal plants and food in Canada's far north is fun. These seven useful plants grow wild right on our doorstep.
The humble Carolina geranium (Geranium carolinianum; AKA ) grows profusely throughout North America. It is commonly… by gardenofeden
Scientific name: Arundinaria gigantea Abundance: uncommon What: seeds, young shoots How: cooked/steamed Where: river banks above high-water level When: early spring through summer Nutritional Value: small amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and vitamin C Other uses: fishing poles, lattice structures, blow guns Dangers: beware of deadly purple Ergot fungus. Leaf Arrangement: Alternate, with each leaf spaced out along the culm (stem), which is characteristic of many grass species. Leaf Shape: Lanceolate and elongated, typically 8 to 12 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. Leaf Venation: Parallel venation is prominent, running the length of the leaf from base to tip. Leaf Margin: Margins are serrulate, with fine teeth along the edge that are perceptible to touch. Leaf Color: The foliage is a deep green, often turning yellow-green in fall. Flower Structure: Inflorescences are panicles, branched and open, appearing terminal on the culms. Flower Color: The small, individual flowers within the panicles are not showy, usually green or brownish. Fruit: Produces a caryopsis, a grain typical of the Poaceae family, though fruiting is infrequent. Seed: Seeds are small, enclosed within the dry fruit, and not commonly harvested or seen. Stem: 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. Hairs: Young shoots may have a coating of fine hairs, which becomes less noticeable as the plant matures. Height: Mature stands can range from 10 to 25 feet in height. Rivercanes. Rivercane Closeup of stem. Edible tips (peel off and discard the leaves). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
