Weeds

Post pole shift forage plants:

Dandelions grow in shade and sun. I eat the leaves all year, contrary to what the books say which is to eat them when tender in the spring. I find them almost everywhere I travel. Our Chippewa neighbors say they came with the white man but that they instantly figured out what to do with them.

Pigweed. Anybody eat pigweed?

Lambs Quarters, in fact all the goose foots are favorites of mine. Mild flavor

Nettles love shade and really wet conditions. According to Karate lore Masutatsu Oyamu would live on nettles and fresh water each summer living in a cave. When the tree he worked out on fell over he would return to town. My wife says you have to put them in boiling water first to keep them from stinging your mouth.

Purslane grows everywhere and is high in EFA's.

A friend of mine found a big Puffball once and ate it for weeks, slicing some off each day, frying and eating it raw.

In this part of the country wild Leeks are common in mature woods and a sign that Morel mushrooms might be nearby.

Garlic Mustard grows in the shade. It is an invasive pest plant around here.

Plantain grows on the shady side of our house. The seed tops have lots of vitamin A. I remember someone making a poultice for hemorrhoids from plantain once.

If it is wet then maybe Bull Rushes will grow. I tried cooking the rhizomes once and it was a lot of work. The green tops are ok as I have heard but I have not tried them. Native Americans used the pollen for flour too.

Offered by Steve.