Well, I’ve finally had my intro to walking on the wild side — wild edibles, that is!
In Florida’s Wild Edibles, it says: “When you first begin learning about wild edibles you may find the large number of plants available overwhelming. Start by learning a few plants. Pick a handful of plants and get to know the botanical name, where they grow, how they grow, what part is edible, how to prepare it, and what time of year is best for collecting it. If you are unsure of the identification of a plant don’t eat it until you are sure of what it is. Once you master your initial list then move on to others.”

So, that’s just what I’m doing. Starting out! Taking things slowly with my wild edible learning and eating!

I recently met up with Ms. Lesley, naturalist at Tillie Fowler Park, a natural area that spans over 500 acres. Ms. Lesley led me on a fun, educational wild edible adventure, however, we didn’t come close to covering all 500 acres.
My intro to wild edibles with Ms. Lesley — AKA “The Butterfuly Lady” (pictured here) -had been a long time coming. Now that the process has begun, I’m delighted that I’m on my way to having a closer relationship with these highly nutritious plants.

At the park, there was parsley growing in the garden just outside the nature center. Ms. Lesley informed me it’s grown there for the Black Swallowtail butterflies. She gave me a handful of it, which I turned into a divine Parsley/Mango smoothie at home. The lovely taste lingered on my tongue .

The next morning, I made a cup of Spanish Needle tea from the Spanish Needle leaves I had picked with Ms. Lesley– followed by a Spanish Needle/Mango smoothie that evening.

While the smoothie could have been enjoyed through a straw, I poured it in this glass, sat outdoors, and scooped it out with a spoon — pudding-style. That, too, was divine.

Although I didn’t have any cold or flu symptoms when eating the Spanish Needle pudding, I think I understand why that plant is known to be good for colds and flu. Not long after finishing up my last drop of my mixture, my body started to heat up a bit. I bet if I had a cold, the body heat produced by the Spanish Needle would have been a strategy for fighting the cold or flu. The “brains” of nature, huh!
Hmmh, let’s find out what type of nutrition I got from eating Spanish Needle leaves (Bidens pilosa).

This site explains, “The composition of raw Bidens pilosaleaves per 100 g edible portion is: water 85 g, energy 180 kJ (43 kcal), protein 3.8 g, fat 0.5 g, carbohydrate 8.4 g, fibre 3.9 g, β-carotene 1800 μg (Leung, W.-T.W., Busson, F. & Jardin, C., 1968).” However, this resource goes on to say, “Consumption as a raw vegetable is not recommended because of a high saponin content.”

Oh, well, I’ve already consumed it. It tasted great. And I felt great eating it and beyond…

What’s left to try from my recent wild edible pickins’?

Oxalis:I can use the leaves and flowers — not the stems — when using this for edible purposes. According to the “Edible and Medicinal” plants list Ms. Lesley gave to me, the Oxalis leaves can be “put in salad and has a lemony taste.” I’ve been cautioned to “use sparingly.”

Greenbrier: “The new shoots, uncurling leaves and tendrils” can be eaten raw in salads. I’ll be adding them to a Green Smoothie.

Grapevine: The fruit of this plant can be eaten raw. The leaves are known for making tea.

Pine Needle: For tea

Elderberry: Leaves to be dried for a tea (good for diarrhea). According to the the “Edible and Medicinal Plants” list I was given, the flowers of this plant are also good for a tea — to treat a headache. The fruit can be eaten raw.

*The disclaimer at the top of the list I have that includes about 35 Edible and Medicinal plants, it, states: “Please note that the following listing is of plants used historically for food and medicine. In no way should this list be perceived as recommendations to eat these plants our use them medically.”

As Ms. Lesley and I passed by Wax Myrtle, she explained that is used as an insect repellent. It smells so good.

Ms. Lesley, next time I visit, I’ll bring my blender and we can make a Green Smoothie right there!

See you soon!

Many Thanks and Wild Edible Hugs,

Penny

“The secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life, and in elevating them to art.” ~William Morris

Tags: medicinal plants, nature, wild edible plants

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