Dock is a fairly common, perennial weed introduced from Europe. Found in most states in the Unites States, you’ll also find it in New Zealand, Australia, and many other countries throughout the world. It’s in the buckwheat family, Polygonacea, and often called cushy-cows, butterdock, kettle dock, curly dock, and...
Dandelions are everywhere and most people at least vaguely know how to identify them. The most common look-alike in our area is Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata), but it is also edible. Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is frequently confused as well, but the flowers are a blue-purple, not yellow, and it...
Pine needles are bursting with Vitamin C all winter long and can help keep your immune system up and prevent scurvy even in the worst of winters! Please do not use loblolly pine needles (3 needles), as they contain a chemical that can cause long-term health effects. Also do...
Tracks and Roots has been many years in the making. The seed was planted when I was 17 years old and knew simply that I wanted to spend my life in the woods, studying nature, writing, and practicing survival skills. Perhaps my dream wasn’t concrete enough since my parents...
Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a sprawling, delicious highly nutritious plant common in yards and gardens across the United States as well as in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. There are some related, edible species as well with between 90 and 120 species in the genus Stellaria....
Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a sprawling, delicious highly nutritious plant common in yards and gardens across the United States as well as in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. There are some related, edible species as well with between 90 and 120 species in the genus Stellaria....
The Basics The mushroom that we forage is only the most visible part of a larger organism. The mushroom is a fruiting body. Its purpose is to release spores into the environment. Most of the fungus’ body is composed of fine filamentous structures called hyphae which grow through the...
Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is one of the first wild edible plants I learned and began foraging on my own. This small plant is surprisingly tasty, with a pleasant sour burst. You can eat it plain or sprinkle it on a salad to boost flavor. Identification Habitat: A native...
Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is one of the first wild edible plants I learned and began foraging on my own. This small plant is surprisingly tasty, with a pleasant sour burst. You can eat it plain or sprinkle it on a salad to boost flavor.
As someone with food allergies, I’m always looking for anything to help improve my health, especially my digestive system. Well, look no further than this natural remedy! The way it works is by using demulcent herbs. A demulcent is an herb that contains large amounts of mucilage, which is...
A little-known foraging secret is that you can find wild quinoa right here in the United States! Common names of this awesome edible include goosefoot, lambs quarters, and pigweed, sometimes even fat hen. It’s Latin name is Chenopodium album is in the same Family and Genus as the quinoa...
One of the things that comes to my mind when I think about fall is acorn flour! Acorns are an amazing survival food that has been used during hard times in Europe and the United states. It’s abundant, free, and easy to gather lots of them quickly. There are...
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a common mushroom in North America as well as other parts of the world. One of the best things is that its available 8 months out of the year whereas most mushrooms are only available for a few days to up to two months...
Wild fruit is perhaps my favorite wild edible to harvest. Don’t think that harvesting ends in spring or summer. Fall is an excellent time to get outside and forage – it isn’t nicknamed harvest season for nothing. Persimmons One of my personal favorites, this was named “The Fruit of...
