Edible and Medicinal Plants

Edible and Medicinal Plants
EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS

A short guide to some of the more common edible and medicinal plants found in Alberta, and
North America.
Arctic willow
Salix arctica
Description:
The arctic
willow is a
shrub that
never
exceeds more
than 60
centimeters in
height and
grows in
clumps that
form dense
mats on the
tundra.
Habitat and
Distribution:
The arctic
willow is
common on
tundras in
North
America.
Europe, and
Asia. You can
also find it in
some
mountainous
areas in
temperate
regions.
Edible Parts:
http://www.raems.com/edibles/wildmededibles.htm (1 of 58)4/28/2009 8:50:46 PM

You can
collect the
succulent,
tender young
shoots of the
arctic willow in
early spring.
Strip off the
outer bark of
the new
shoots and
eat the inner
portion raw.
You can also
peel and eat
raw the young
underground
shoots of any
of the various
kinds of arctic
willow. Young
willow leaves
are one of the
richest
sources of
vitamin C,
containing 7
to 10 times
more than an
orange.
Arnica
Arnica spp.
Description:
Arnicas are
perennial
herbs growing
from a
rootstock 2 - 5
cm long. They
have erect
stems and
stand 15 - 60

cm tall. The
leaves are
opposite,
simple, entire
or toothed.
The
composite
flower head is
yellow and
flowering is
from July -
August.
Distribution
& Habitat: It
can be found
in
mountainous
regions
throughout
the Rocky
Mountains.
There are
many species
with similar
properties.
Preparation
& Uses:
Arnica is well
known as a
stimulant. This
herb is almost
always used
in the form of
a tincture. It
is one of the
best
painkillers to
use for
sprains,
fractures, and
bruising. It is
effective as

an external
liniment and is
extremely fast
acting.. It
should not be
used if the
skin is broken
and the area
is bleeding as
it is toxic if it
enters the
bloodstream.
This herb
should not be
use internally,
except under
special
conditions,
because it
can cause,
among other
effects,
blistering of
the intestinal
tract.
Arrowhead
Maranta and
Sagittaria
species
Description:
The
arrowhead is
an aquatic
plant with
arrow-shaped
leaves and
potatolike
tubers in the

mud.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Arrowhead is
found
worldwide in
temperate
zones and the
tropics. It is
found in moist
to wet
habitats.
Edible Parts:
The rootstock
is a rich
source of high
quality starch.
Boil the
rootstock and
eat it as a
vegetable.
Bearberry or
kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos
uvaursi
Description:
This plant is a
common
evergreen
shrub with
reddish, scaly
bark and
thick, leathery
leaves 4
centimeters
long and 1
centimeter

wide. It has
white flowers
and bright red
fruits.
Habitat and
Distribution:
This plant is
found in
arctic,
subarctic, and
temperate
regions, most
often in sandy
or rocky soil.
Edible Parts:
Its berries are
edible raw or
cooked. You
can make a
refreshing tea
from its young
leaves.
Blackberry,
raspberry,
and
dewberry
Rubus
species
Description:
These plants
have prickly
stems (canes)
that grow
upward,
arching back
toward the
ground. They
have
alternate,

usually
compound
leaves. Their
fruits may be
red, black,
yellow, or
orange.
Habitat and
Distribution:
These plants
grow in open,
sunny areas
at the margin
of woods,
lakes,
streams, and
roads
throughout
temperate
regions. There
is also an
arctic
raspberry.
Edible Parts:
The fruits and
peeled young
shoots are
edible.
Flavour varies
greatly.
Other Uses:
Use the
leaves to
make tea. To
treat diarrhea,
drink a tea
made by
brewing the
dried root bark
of the

blackberry
bush.
Blueberry
and
huckleberry
Vaccinium
and
Gaylussacia
species
Description:
These shrubs
vary in size
from 30
centimeters to
3.7 meters
tall. All have
alternate,
simple leaves.
Their fruits
may be dark
blue, black, or
red and have
many small
seeds.
Habitat and
Distribution:
These plants
prefer open,
sunny areas.
They are
found
throughout
much of the
north
temperate
regions and at
higher
elevations in

Central
America.
Edible Parts:
Their fruits are
edible raw.
Burdock
Arctium minus
& spp.
Description:
These large
biennial herbs
stand 1 - 2.5
m tall and
have broad
alternate
leaves with
several flower
heads. The
leaves are
ovate to
oblong, even
cordate and
up to 50 cm
long. The
flowers are
tubular, pink
or purplish.
The seeds are
borne in
prickly burrs.
Habitat &
Distribution:
The plant was
introduced
from Europe
and now
grows in
waste lands
throughout

North America.
Edible parts
& Uses: The
young shoots
and leaves
are cooked as
a green. The
inner pith of
the stems can
be eaten raw.
The roots are
eaten both
boiled and
roasted and
are often used
as a coffee
substitute.
An infusion of
the roots is
used to
stimulating
bile flow and
has a mild
laxative effect.
The tea or a
tincture of the
roots has
been used for
stomach
complaints
and for a
prolapsed
uterus. A
decoction of
the roots is
used for gout
and
rheumatism,
to wash sores
and
traditionally as
an antidote

after eating
poisonous
food,
especially
mushrooms.
The powdered
seeds have
been used as
a diuretic. The
leaves can be
used as a
poultice for
poison ivy,
poison oak, to
soothe skin
irritations, for
impetigo,
syphilis,
gonorrhea
and sunburn.
The seeds are

an excellent
diuretic. A
tincture of the
seed has
been used as
a folk remedy
for joint
inflammation.

Cattail
Typha latifolia
Description:
Cattails are
grasslike
plants with
strap-shaped
leaves 1 to 5
centimeters
wide and
growing up to
1.8 meters
tall. The male
flowers are
borne in a
dense mass
above the
female
flowers.
These last
only a short
time, leaving
the female
flowers that
develop into
the brown
cattail. Pollen
from the male
flowers is
often
abundant and
bright yellow.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Cattails are
found
throughout
most of the
world. Look
for them in full
sun areas at

the margins of
lakes,
streams,
canals, rivers,
and brackish
water.
Edible Parts:
The young
tender shoots
are edible raw
or cooked.
The rhizome
is often very
tough but is a
rich source of
starch. Pound
the rhizome to
remove the
starch and
use as a flour.
The pollen is
also an
exceptional
source of
starch. When
the cattail is
immature and
still green, you
can boil the
female portion
and eat it like
corn on the
cob.
Other Uses:
The dried
leaves are an
excellent
source of
weaving
material you
can use to

make floats
and rafts. The
cottony seeds
make good
pillow stuffing
and
insulation.
The fluff
makes
excellent
tinder. Dried
cattails are
effective
insect
repellents
when burned.
Chicory
Cichorium
intybus
Description:
This plant
grows up to
1.8 meters
tall. It has
leaves
clustered at
the base of
the stem and
some leaves
on the stem.
The base
leaves
resemble
those of the
dandelion.
The flowers
are sky blue
and stay open
only on sunny

days. Chicory
has a milky
juice.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Look for
chicory in old
fields, waste
areas, weedy
lots, and
along roads. It
is a native of
Europe and
Asia, but is
also found in
Africa and
most of North
America
where it grows
as a weed.
Edible Parts:
All parts are
edible. Eat the
young leaves
as a salad or
boil to eat as
a vegetable.
Cook the
roots as a
vegetable. For
use as a
coffee
substitute,
roast the roots
until they are
dark brown
and then
pulverize
them.

Coltsfoot
Petasites spp.
(a.k.a.
Tussilago
spp.)
Description:
This perennial
herb rises
from a thick
creeping
rhizome, with
large basal
leaves. The
flower stalk
grows up to
30 cm tall in
early spring,
fruiting and
dying usually
before the
leaves show.
The flowers
are purple,
white or
yellow, the
stem reddish.
The leaves
are from
thumb size to
30 cm.
Habitat &
Distribution:
Coltsfoot can
be found on
stream banks,
in swamps
and wet
tundra. It
ranges from
Alaska to
Washington

and into
Alberta.
Edible parts
and other
uses: The
young
flowering stem
is a tasty
spring
vegetable,
steamed, or
stir fried. The
young leaves
are also
edible. The
rootstock may
be roasted
and then
eaten.
The most
common use
for this herb is
cough
suppression.
It is applied to
cases of
whooping
cough,
asthma,
bronchial
congestion
and shortness
of breath. It
was used (in
the form of a
smudge) by
many Natives
to cure
problems
caused by
smoking too
much. It has

also been
used for
menstrual
cramps.
Externally, a
decoction or
poultice can
be made to
alleviate the
discomfort of
sores, insect
bites and
arthritic pain.
Cranberry
Vaccinium
macrocarpon
Description:
This plant has
tiny leaves
arranged
alternately. Its
stem creeps
along the
ground. Its
fruits are red
berries.
Habitat and
Distribution:
It only grows
in open,
sunny, wet
areas in the
colder regions
of the
Northern
Hemisphere.

Edible Parts:
The berries
are very tart
when eaten
raw. Cook in a
small amount
of water and
add sugar, if
available, to
make a jelly.
Other Uses:
Cranberries
may act as a
diuretic. They
are useful for
treating
urinary tract
infections.
Crowberry
Empetrum
nigrum
Description:
This is a dwarf
evergreen
shrub with
short
needlelike
leaves. It has
small, shiny,
black berries
that remain on
the bush
throughout
the winter.
Habitat and

Distribution:
Look for this
plant in tundra
throughout
arctic regions
of North
America and
Eurasia.
Edible Parts:
The fruits are
edible fresh or
can be dried
for later use.
Dandelion
Taraxacum
officinale
Description:
Dandelion
leaves have a
jagged edge,
grow close to
the ground,
and are
seldom more
than 20
centimeters
long. Its
flowers are
bright yellow.
There are
several
dandelion
species.
Habitat and
Distribution:

Dandelions
grow in open,
sunny
locations
throughout
the Northern
Hemisphere.
Edible Parts:
All parts are
edible. Eat the
leaves raw or
cooked. Boil
the roots as a
vegetable.
Roots roasted
and ground
are a good
coffee
substitute.
Dandelions
are high in
vitamins A
and C and in
calcium.
Other Uses:
Use the white
juice in the
flower stems
as glue.

Daylily
Hemerocallis
fulva
Description:
This plant has
unspotted,
tawny
blossoms that
open for 1 day
only. It has
long,
swordlike,
green basal
leaves. Its
root is a mass
of swollen and
elongated
tubers.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Daylilies are
found
worldwide in
Tropic and
Temperate
Zones. They
are grown as
a vegetable in
the Orient and
as an
ornamental
plant
elsewhere.
Edible Parts:
The young
green leaves
are edible raw
or cooked.
Tubers are
also edible

raw or
cooked. You
can eat its
flowers raw,
but they taste
better cooked.
You can also
fry the flowers
for storage.
Eating too
many of the
raw flowers
may cause
diarrhea.
Fireweed
Epilobium
angustifolium
Description:
This plant
grows up to
1.8 meters
tall. It has
large, showy,
pink flowers
and lance-
shaped
leaves. Its
relative, the
dwarf
fireweed
(Epilobium
latifolium),
grows 30 to
60
centimeters
tall.
Habitat and
Distribution:

Tall fireweed
is found in
open woods,
on hillsides,
on stream
banks, and
near
seashores in
arctic regions.
It is especially
abundant in
burned-over
areas. Dwarf
fireweed is
found along
streams,
sandbars, and
lakeshores
and on alpine
and arctic
slopes.
Edible Parts:
The leaves,
stems, and
flowers are
edible in the
spring but
become tough
in summer.
You can split
open the
stems of old
plants and eat
the pith raw.

Horsetail
Equisetum sp.
Description:
Horsetails are
perennial
plants with
jointed,
branched,
creeping root
stocks. The
aerial stems
are jointed
with scale-like
leaves at the
nodes, which
are encased
in a toothed
sheath. The
internodes are
hollow. The
branches are
whorled from
the nodes,
when present.
The plant
reproduces
from spore-
bearing,
terminal
cones.
Horsetails
contain a
large amount
of silica, and
has been
used for
polishing
metal and
wood.
Habitat &
Distribution:

Horsetails are
common in a
wide
distribution,
from lowlands
to the high
alpine. They
are found in
moist and
shallow
aquatic
habitats.
Edible Parts:
The outer
tissue can be
peeled away
and the sweet
inner pulp
eaten raw.
The young
heads of this
common plant
can be boiled
like
asparagus,
but it is
advisable to
boil them for
about 20
minutes with a
change of
water (if large
amounts are
being eaten),
due to their
toxic effect.
After
Equisetum is
boiled, it can
be mixed with
flour or dipped
in an egg and
crumb

mixture, then
fried. Horsetail
roots are
somewhat
tuberous and
can be eaten
raw in the
early spring or
boiled later in
the season.
Some Indians
and early
settlers used
the stems of
horsetail as a
stimulating tea
but its most
prominent
property is as
a diuretic. It
may also be
used to help
heal wounds,
applied in the
form of a
poultice.
Ingested, it is
believed to be
good for all
internal
bleeding, and
as a
connective
tissue
strengthener.
Caution:
Dosages over
a pound
may lead to
symptoms of
poisoning.
There are

several
chemicals in
this plant that
have slightly
toxic effects --
typically the
destruction of
thiamine (a B
vitamin).
Consumption
of B vitamins
will speedily
reverse major
side effects.
Juniper
Juniperus
species
Description:
Junipers,
sometimes
called cedars,
are trees or
shrubs with
very small,
scalelike
leaves
densely
crowded
around the
branches.
Each leaf is
less than 1.2
centimeters
long. All
species have
a distinct
aroma

resembling
the well-
known cedar.
The berrylike
cones are
usually blue
and covered
with a whitish
wax.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Look for
junipers in
open, dry,
sunny areas
throughout
North America
and northern
Europe. Some
species are
found in
southeastern
Europe,
across Asia to
Japan, and in
the mountains
of North
Africa.
Edible Parts:
The berries
and twigs are
edible. Eat the
berries raw or
roast the
seeds to use
as a coffee
substitute.
Use dried and
crushed
berries as a
seasoning for

meat. Gather
young twigs to
make a tea.
CAUTION
Many plants
may be called
cedars but are
not related to
junipers and
may be
harmful.
Always look
for the
berrylike
structures,
needle
leaves, and
resinous,
fragrant sap
to be sure the
plant you
have is a
juniper.
Lotus
Nelumbo
species
Description:
There are two
species of
lotus: one has
yellow flowers
and the other
pink flowers.
The flowers
are large and
showy. The
leaves, which
may float on

or rise above
the surface of
the water,
often reach
1.5 meters in
radius. The
fruit has a
distinctive
flattened
shape and
contains up to
20 hard
seeds.
Habitat and
Distribution:
The yellow-
flowered lotus
is native to
North
America. The
pink-flowered
species,
which is
widespread in
the Orient, is
planted in
many other
areas of the
world. Lotuses
are found in
quiet fresh
water.
Edible Parts:
All parts of the
plant are
edible raw or
cooked. The
underwater
parts contain
large
quantities of

starch. Dig the

fleshy portions
from the mud
and bake or
boil them. Boil
the young
leaves and
eat them as a
vegetable.
The seeds
have a
pleasant
flavor and are
nutritious. Eat
them raw, or
parch and
grind them
into flour.
Nettle
Urtica and
Laportea
species
Description:
These plants
grow several
feet high.
They have
small,
inconspicuous
flowers. Fine,
hairlike
bristles cover
the stems,
leafstalks, and
undersides of
leaves. The
bristles cause
a stinging
sensation

when they
touch the
skin.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Nettles prefer
moist areas
along streams
or at the
margins of
forests. They
are found
throughout
North
America,
Central
America, the
Caribbean,
and northern
Europe.
Edible Parts:
Young shoots
and leaves
are edible.
Boiling the
plant for 10 to
15 minutes
destroys the
stinging
element of the
bristles. This
plant is very
nutritious.
Other Uses:
Mature stems
have a fibrous
layer that you
can divide into
individual
fibers and use

to weave
string or
twine.
Pine
Pinus species
Description:
Pine trees are
easily
recognized by
their needle
like leaves
grouped in
bundles. Each
bundle may
contain one to
five needles,
the number
varying
among
species. The
tree's odour
and sticky sap
provide a
simple way to
distinguish
pines from
similar looking
trees with
needle like
leaves.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Pines prefer
open, sunny
areas. They
are found
throughout
North

America,
Central
America,
much of the
Caribbean
region, North
Africa, the
Middle East,
Europe, and
some places
in Asia.
Edible Parts:
The seeds of
all species are
edible. You
can collect the
young male
cones, which
grow only in
the spring, as
a survival
food. Boil or
bake the
young cones.
The bark of
young twigs is
edible. Peel
off the bark of
thin twigs.
You can chew
the juicy inner
bark; it is rich
in sugar and
vitamins. Eat
the seeds raw
or cooked.
Green pine
needle tea is
high in vitamin
C.
Other Uses :

Use the resin

to waterproof
articles. Also
use it as glue.
Collect the
resin from the
tree. If there is
not enough
resin on the
tree, cut a
notch in the
bark so more
sap will seep
out. Put the
resin in a
container and
heat it. The
hot resin is
your glue. Use
it as is or add
a small
amount of ash
dust to
strengthen it.
Use it
immediately.
You can use
hardened pine
resin as an
emergency
dental filling.

Pineapple
Weed
Matricaria
matricaioides
Identification:
This plant is
related to
chamomile
(M.
chamomile).
Pineapple
weed is an
annual, 10 -
40 cm tall with
a non-rayed
composite
flower head.
It does have
a distinctive
pineapple
scent. Its
leaves are
pinnate.
Habitat &
Distribution:
Pineapple
weed is found
in almost all
waste areas.
It can be seen
growing in
cracks in the
sidewalk in
the centre of
most towns
and along
many a
backwoods
dirt road.
Edible Parts:
Pineapple

weed may be
eaten as a
tasty snack
item while
hiking or
added to a
wild salad. It
makes a
calming tea
when steeped
in hot water.
The crushed
leaves, stems,
and
flowerheads
may be
applied to the
skin as an
insect
repellent. A
wash made of
pineapple
weed will
remove
greases from
the hair and
act as a
general
shampoo and
natural hair
tonic.
It can be used
as a treatment
for diarrhea,
stomachaches,
flatulence, as
a mild
relaxant, and
for colds and
menstrual
problems.
Externally it
can be used
for itching and

sores.
Plantain,
broad and
narrow leaf
Plantago
species
Description:
The broad
leaf plantain
has leaves
over 2.5
centimeters
across that
grow close to
the ground.
The flowers
are on a spike
that rises from
the middle of
the cluster of
leaves. The
narrow leaf
plantain has
leaves up to
12
centimeters
long and 2.5
centimeters
wide, covered
with hairs.
The leaves
form a rosette.
The flowers
are small and
inconspicuous.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Look for these

plants in
lawns and
along roads in
the North
Temperate
Zone. This
plant is a
common
weed
throughout
much of the
world.
Edible Parts:
The young
tender leaves
are edible
raw. Older
leaves should
be cooked.
Seeds are
edible raw or
roasted.
Other Uses:
To relieve
pain from
wounds and
sores, wash
and soak the
entire plant for
a short time
and apply it to
the injured
area. To treat
diarrhea, drink
tea made from
28 grams (1
ounce) of the
plant leaves
boiled in 0.5
liter of water.
The seeds

and seed
husks act as
laxatives.
Prickly pear
cactus
Opuntia
species
Description:
This cactus
has flat,
padlike stems
that are
green. Many
round, furry
dots that
contain sharp-
pointed hairs
cover these
stems.
Habitat and
Distribution:
This cactus is
found in arid
and semiarid
regions and in
dry, sandy
areas of
wetter regions
throughout
most of the
United States
and Central
and South
America.
Some species
are planted in
arid and
semiarid

regions of
other parts of
the world.
Edible Parts:
All parts of the
plant are
edible. Peel
the fruits and
eat them fresh
or crush them
to prepare a
refreshing
drink. Avoid
the tiny,
pointed hairs.
Roast the
seeds and
grind them to
a flour.
Other Uses:
The pad is a
good source
of water. Peel
it carefully to
remove all
sharp hairs
before putting
it in your
mouth. You
can also use
the pads to
promote
healing. Split
them and
apply the pulp
to wounds.

Purslane
Portulaca
oleracea
Description:
This plant
grows close to
the ground. It
is seldom
more than a
few
centimeters
tall. Its stems
and leaves
are fleshy and
often tinged
with red. It
has
paddleshaped
leaves, 2.5
centimeter or
less long,
clustered at
the tips of the
stems. Its
flowers are
yellow or pink.
Its seeds are
tiny and black.
Habitat and
Distribution:
It grows in full
sun in
cultivated
fields, field
margins, and
other weedy
areas
throughout
the world.
Edible Parts:

All parts are

edible. Wash
and boil the
plants for a
tasty
vegetable or
eat them raw.
Use the seeds
as a flour
substitute or
eat them raw.
Reindeer
moss
Cladonia
rangiferina
Description:
Reindeer
moss is a low-
growing plant
only a few
centimeters
tall. It does
not flower but
does produce
bright red
reproductive
structures.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Look for this
lichen in
open, dry
areas. It is
very common
in much of
North
America.

Edible Parts:
The entire
plant is edible
but has a
crunchy,
brittle texture.
Soak the plant
in water with
some wood
ashes to
remove the
bitterness,
then dry,
crush, and
add it to milk
or to other
food.
Rock tripe
Umbilicaria
species
Description:
This plant
forms large
patches with
curling edges.
The top of the
plant is
usually black.
The underside
is lighter in
color.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Look on rocks
and boulders
for this plant.
It is common
throughout

North
America.
Edible Parts:
The entire
plant is edible.
Scrape it off
the rock and
wash it to
remove grit.
The plant may
be dry and
crunchy; soak
it in water until
it becomes
soft. Rock
tripes may
contain large
quantities of
bitter
substances;
soaking or
boiling them in
several
changes of
water will
remove the
bitterness.
CAUTION :
There are
some reports
of poisoning
from rock tripe

Sheep sorrel
Rumex
acerosella
Description:
These plants
are seldom
more than 30
centimeters
tall. They
have alternate
leaves, often
with arrowlike
bases, very
small flowers,
and frequently
reddish
stems.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Look for these
plants in old
fields and
other
disturbed
areas in North
America and
Europe.
Edible Parts:
The plants are
edible raw or
cooked.
CAUTION :
These plants
contain oxalic
acid that can
be damaging
if too many
plants are
eaten raw.

Cooking
seems to
destroy the
chemical.
Spatterdock
or yellow
water lily
Nuphar
species
Description:
This plant has
leaves up to
60
centimeters
long with a
triangular
notch at the
base. The
shape of the
leaves is
somewhat
variable. The
plant's yellow
flowers are
2.5 centimeter
across and
develop into
bottle-shaped
fruits. The
fruits are
green when
ripe.
Habitat and
Distribution:
These plants
grow
throughout
most of North

America. They
are found in
quiet, fresh,
shallow water
(never deeper
than 1.8
meters).
Edible Parts:
All parts of the
plant are
edible. The
fruits contain
several dark
brown seeds
you can parch
or roast and
then grind into
flour. The
large
rootstock
contains
starch. Dig it
out of the
mud, peel off
the outside,
and boil the
flesh.
Sometimes
the rootstock
contains large
quantities of a
very bitter
compound.
Boiling in
several
changes of
water may
remove the
bitterness.

Strawberry
Fragaria
species
Description:
Strawberry is
a small plant
with a three-
leaved growth
pattern. It has
small, white
flowers
usually
produced
during the
spring. Its fruit
is red and
fleshy.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Strawberries
are found in
the North
Temperate
Zone and also
in the high
mountains of
the southern
Western
Hemisphere.
Strawberries
prefer open,
sunny areas.
They are
commonly
planted.
Edible Parts:
The fruit is
edible fresh,
cooked, or
dried.

Strawberries
are a good
source of
vitamin C.
You can also
eat the plant's
leaves or dry
them and
make a tea
with them.
Water lily
Nymphaea
odorata
Description:
These plants
have large,
triangular
leaves that
float on the
water's
surface, large,
fragrant
flowers that
are usually
white, or red,
and thick,
fleshy
rhizomes that
grow in the
mud.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Water lilies
are found
throughout
much of the
temperate
and

subtropical
regions.
Edible Parts:
The flowers,
seeds, and
rhizomes are
edible raw or
cooked. To
prepare
rhizomes for
eating, peel
off the corky
rind. Eat raw,
or slice thinly,
allow to dry,
and then grind
into flour. Dry,
parch, and
grind the
seeds into
flour.
Other Uses:
Use the liquid
resulting from
boiling the
thickened root
in water as a
medicine for
diarrhea and
as a gargle for
sore throats.

Wild dock
and wild
sorrel
Rumex
crispus and
Rumex
acetosella
Description:
Wild dock is a
stout plant
with most of
its leaves at
the base of its
stem that is
commonly 15
to 30
centimeters
brig. The
plants usually
develop from
a strong,
fleshy,
carrotlike
taproot. Its
flowers are
usually very
small, growing
in green to
purplish
plumelike
clusters. Wild
sorrel similar
to the wild
dock but
smaller. Many
of the basal
leaves are
arrow-shaped
but smaller
than those of
the dock and
contain a sour

juice.
Habitat and
Distribution:
These plants
can be found
in almost all
climatic zones
of the world,
in areas of
high as well
as low rainfall.
Many kinds
are found as
weeds in
fields, along
roadsides,
and in waste
places.
Edible Parts:
Because of
tender nature
of the foliage,
the sorrel and
the dock are
useful plants,
especially in
desert areas.
You can eat
their succulent
leaves fresh
or slightly
cooked. To
take away the
strong taste,
change the
water once or
twice during
cooking. This
latter tip is a
useful hint in
preparing

many kinds of
wild greens.
Wild onion
and garlic
Allium species
Description:
Allium
cernuum is an
example of
the many
species of
wild onions
and garlics, all
easily
recognized by
their
distinctive
odor.
Habitat and
Distribution:
Wild onions
and garlics
are found in
open, sunny
areas
throughout
the temperate
regions.
Cultivated
varieties are
found
anywhere in
the world.
Edible Parts:
The bulbs and
young leaves
are edible raw

or cooked.
Use in soup or
to flavor meat.
CAUTION
There are
several plants
with onion like
bulbs that are
extremely
poisonous. Be
certain that
the plant you
are using is a
true onion or
garlic. Do not
eat bulbs with
no onion smell.
Wild rose
Rosa species
Description:
This shrub
grows 60
centimeters to
2.5 meters
high. It has
alternate
leaves and
sharp prickles.
Its flowers
may be red,
pink, or
yellow. Its
fruit, called
rose hip, stays
on the shrub
year-round.
Habitat and

Distribution:
Look for wild
roses in dry
fields and
open woods
throughout
the Northern
Hemisphere.
Edible Parts:
The flowers
and buds are
edible raw or
boiled. In an
emergency,
you can peel
and eat the
young shoots.
You can boil
fresh, young
leaves in
water to make
a tea. After
the flower
petals fall, eat
the rose hips;
the pulp is
highly
nutritious and
an excellent
source of
vitamin C.
Crush or grind
dried rose
hips to make
flour.
CAUTION :
Eat only the
outer portion
of the fruit as
the seeds of
some species
are quite
prickly and

can cause
internal
distress.

Edible and Medicinal Plants

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Edible and Medicinal Plants

EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS

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The seeds are

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starch. Dig the

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Use the resin

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All parts are

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