View Full Version : Edible Plants Growing Along Trail
I wanted to know what species of edible plants, if any grew along the trail to be eaten from Pen Mar, PA to Harper's Ferry WV. Thanks for the input.
This really doesn't answer your question but you can start with: http://www.eattheweeds.com/www.EatTheWeeds.Com/EatTheWeeds.com/EatTheWeeds.com.html
I dove into this subject and even took a class at the local nature center. There are many edible plants and medicinal plants growing all around us. There is very interesting and empowering information out there on the web. HOWEVER, be happy to grab a handful of raspberries as you hike. I guess what I'm trying to say is that hiking and foraging don't mix very well. For me, it takes way too much time to gather and prepare edible plants.
OOPS! I meant to throw this one in. Here is another site to find some answers: http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/ He seems a little weird, but knows his stuff.
fiddlehead
08-10-2008, 02:33
That's only about 40 miles, aye?
Never hiked it in August or Sept but that should be prime time for raspberries, blackberries, wild apples, wild cherries, and maybe pears. But you may have to go off trail to find them.
I know there's a few soda machines on the trail in that section. Enjoy!
Most raspberries and blackberries ripen in late spring or early summer.
You may find paw paws in September.
Two Speed
08-10-2008, 08:25
Paw paws are something I want to learn to reliably identify. Haven't had a chance to try 'em, but have heard folks rave about them.
Pawpaws vary considerably in their size/weight and also the color and flavor of their flesh. Seedlings (potted) are available on a limited basis from some nurseries by mail order.
Do your research before buying and purchase only recommended cultivars. You can Google all the information you'll need. Source some seedlings and plant them next spring.:)
Two Speed
08-10-2008, 08:47
Didn't realize you could propogate them. Ever done that, and if so how tough were they to get going?
kayak karl
08-10-2008, 09:36
Paw paws vary considerably in size, flavor and color of their flesh. They are available on a limited basis from some nurseries by mail order.
Do your research before buying and purchase only recommended cultivars. You can Google all the information you need. Source some seedlings and plant them next spring.:)
http://www.post-gazette.com/food/20030918pawpaw0918fnp2.asp i have never seen these. where would u look?
This post is my final contribution to pawpaw thread drift and my solution to it. I don't ever think I found pawpaws objectionable before and hope I never do again.
Click on Mad about pawpaws!:) (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40037) to read a thread with a shorter name, but the same subject matter. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling as nearly as creative when I named it.
rocketsocks
07-05-2012, 13:03
Three plants available to me;Dandelions, Pine nuts, and the Daisey's around my neighbors mail box,...he love's me, he loves me not, he lov.........;)
Hairbear
07-05-2012, 18:51
I wanted to know what species of edible plants, if any grew along the trail to be eaten from Pen Mar, PA to Harper's Ferry WV. Thanks for the input. cool that knowledge to me was a great changing point in my life and the way i viewed the things around me .research lambs quarter ,perslain,cattails,mustard,dandelion,curly dock,pokeweed,chickweed,wood nettle.dont listen to a dumb a.. like me verify everything before you eat it.know it before you use it and dont harvest from along roads or places of possible pollution.this is a small list to whats out there but it is a start .hope it helps ,and oh yeah dont forget you have green in your teeth when you smile at the trail candy lol.
Hairbear
07-05-2012, 19:01
also learn jewel weed it a handy plant dont eat it but crush the stem in your hand use the juice to cure poison ivy. first sign of contact rub juice on itch and a little later you wont even remember it .it also helps with skin rashes ,athletes foot ,and believe it or not hemoroids also.if you get a nettle rash split the skin on the stem and rub the inner juice on burn it goes away.glad someone asked something i knew alot about so i could give back a little for all ive taken from you all.happy munching
Wild onions or Ramps I hear alot about down south -seems plenty of hikers like them.. I'm a big fan of mushrooms and when you see old apple trees or ash trees look for the Mighty Morel mushrooms early in the season.
Hairbear
07-05-2012, 19:46
http://www.post-gazette.com/food/20030918pawpaw0918fnp2.asp i have never seen these. where would u look?
hi look along streams and creeks in full sun or growing under other trees on the outer drip line of branches .can get up to twenty feet tall,but most will be shorter.look for dark green leaves with fruit growing on the ends of branches usually in clusters of 5.they taste like the love child of a bannana and a mellon with a custard pie texture grows midwest and east coast from P A south they bare a dandy treat.
Hairbear
07-05-2012, 19:54
Didn't realize you could propogate them. Ever done that, and if so how tough were they to get going?
they do not transplant well at all they are starting to grow them domesticly.the flowers are so ugly and stinky that bees wont polinate them.so alot of growers put dead carcases by the plants so the flies will pollinate them.
rocketsocks
07-05-2012, 21:37
cool that knowledge to me was a great changing point in my life and the way i viewed the things around me .research lambs quarter ,perslain,cattails,mustard,dandelion,curly dock,pokeweed,chickweed,wood nettle.dont listen to a dumb a.. like me verify everything before you eat it.know it before you use it and dont harvest from along roads or places of possible pollution.this is a small list to whats out there but it is a start .hope it helps ,and oh yeah dont forget you have green in your teeth when you smile at the trail candy lol.Thaks Hearbear, trying to learn a little more about this subject, as my knowledge is very limited.
As Hearbear says and probably the best advise on this subject is to do your own verification, one other plant/tree I just read about is the Willow tree, in the soft under bark, it has the same active ingredient as Aspirin, Salicylic acid.
Wise Old Owl
07-05-2012, 22:05
Paw paws are something I want to learn to reliably identify. Haven't had a chance to try 'em, but have heard folks rave about them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asimina_triloba
16466
Wise Old Owl
07-05-2012, 22:08
UUUUHHHH Phillys suck this year ...RS could they do any worse.....
rocketsocks
07-05-2012, 22:28
UUUUHHHH Phillys suck this year ...RS could they do any worse.....Who were you playin the 'Mets', cause I just heard the wife yell "ohYeah the Mets win", sorry for your loss,he he he haw haw, he he he haw haw.
Hairbear
07-05-2012, 22:46
Thaks Hearbear, trying to learn a little more about this subject, as my knowledge is very limited.
As Hearbear says and probably the best advise on this subject is to do your own verification, one other plant/tree I just read about is the Willow tree, in the soft under bark, it has the same active ingredient as Aspirin, Salicylic acid. +1 good for tooth aches too bite down and hold some between teeth
rocketsocks
07-05-2012, 22:52
+1 good for tooth aches too bite down and hold some between teethOr maybe on trail for a suspected heart attack, although if that is the case, probably best to have some Aspirin,well that just made my first aid kit, as I've always carried Tylenol.
FarmerChef
07-06-2012, 21:03
These are one of my luxury items while hiking: http://www.campingsurvival.com/wicaedwifo.html. They are playing cards with images/drawings on one side and a description of most everything you need to identify an edible plant. Plus, they have a hole through which you can pass a carabiner.
I agree that it takes too long to gather anything meaningful outside of the larger fruits. Still, I have been known to reach down and pick a few leaves of dandelion or similar to munch just to remember what fresh produce tastes like...
Wise Old Owl
07-08-2012, 20:29
Farmer Chef - its a great idea. I would prefer a good Kindle book on the subject.
Didn't realize you could propogate them. Ever done that, and if so how tough were they to get going?
You'll want to plant them in a creek bottom. They need rich moist soil. And they are an understory tree, you don't want them in full sun. The three I planted died the first season. I didn't do the things I just mentioned. Its really much easier to find a clonal cluster of trees in the woods somewhere and go pick the fruit in the fall.
Coffee Rules!
07-10-2012, 02:40
and believe it or not hemoroids also
I can just see that one. "Umm, excuse me. I know we just met at along the trail earlier today, but I have this little problem I need some help with. Would you mind applying this to my..."
bushcraft
07-12-2012, 16:25
There is many wild edibles out there. Start by researching them before eating and you can have a feast during the warmer months.
An ever growing list of wild edibles and in depth write-ups regarding them
http://blog.emergencyoutdoors.com/category/edible-wild-plants/
Pedaling Fool
07-12-2012, 17:26
I've learned that most plants are edible and it's not near as dangerous eating (picking) wild edibles as compared to mushrooms, but of course you want to be careful. There are so many wild edibles that I actually grow quite a few of them in my garden, basically I don't "weed" my garden anymore and they just comeback year after year. However, there are a few veggies I still like to grow, especially tomatoes and peppers, among other things.
Just picked these today:
rocketsocks
07-12-2012, 18:53
There is many wild edibles out there. Start by researching them before eating and you can have a feast during the warmer months.
An ever growing list of wild edibles and in depth write-ups regarding them
http://blog.emergencyoutdoors.com/category/edible-wild-plants/Wow, what a resorce, thanks for posting this bushcraft, great color plates, and a ton of historical information.....Book marked!
Josh Calhoun
07-22-2012, 14:16
try you some Indian pipe :)