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.
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...
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...
Oyster Mushrooms are one of the easiest wild mushrooms to identify. They grow exclusively on wood, either living or dead. Do not harvest them unless clearly on wood. They also always have white or light colored gills that run down their stem. They like cool weather, so look for...
Burdock (Arctium spp) is a genus of the plant kingdom that is found all over the world with both edible and medicinal uses. Burdock and I go way back to my college days when my knowledge of the natural world grew very rapidly. The sweet smell of burdock flowers...
As fall blows in with the sudden blast of cold this past week, it’s time to start thinking about and keeping a look out for fall mushrooms. Just like plants, mushrooms are usually seasonal, with a few exceptions. You’ll see far more mushrooms in the fall than in the...
The herb I’m about to share has taken the herbal market by storm in recent years. Many people are turning to natural cures rather than prescription based ones that cause a lengthy list of hazardous side affects. The good new is with a little time learning to harvest or...