Whether you are homeless or not, you may find learning about wild edibles a necessity, For example, did you know that aspirin is derived from the bark of the weeping willow tree? It is easy to slice off some bark and make tea if you need to relieve pain. Remember, it is aspirin, so please learn the limits of consumption.
While Long Island offers many forageables, it's important to prioritize safety and responsible harvesting, especially when relying on wild edibles for sustenance. Here's why foraging should be done with caution.
Misidentification: Even common plants can have toxic look-alikes. One mistake can be dangerous.
Seasonal Availability: Most edibles have specific harvesting windows. April might be too early for many Long Island plants.
Here are some safer alternatives to consider. :
Start with positive identification: Always double- and triple-check with a reliable field guide or online resource before consuming anything. There are many resources available online and in libraries, look for established authorities like botanical gardens or universities. Also, look for reliable sources on YouTube.
We use Google Lens and the PlantNet app to identify plants. We have a five-point system for identifying the edible plant. Sight, touch, smell, verify with other free apps, and finally taste. Google Lens and the other free apps give you an idea of what the plant looks like, feels like, smells like, and tastes like. You could do a sample of the taste very little bit to verify and wait 30 minutes to make sure you have no bad reaction to the plant.
Focus on Common Edibles: Start with easily identifiable plants like dandelions, of which the leaves, root, and flower are all edible, chickweed (high in vitamins and minerals), or clover (flowers for tea or salads). Pine needle and white oak bark make for great tea.
Harvest responsibly: Take only what you need, and leave plenty behind for the plant to survive and reproduce for your future consumption. We use Google Maps to save the locations of wild edibles when we find them.
Remember, foraging should be supplemental and medicinal, not your primary source of food. Here are some resources that can be helpful:.
Some local libraries: have a world of information on wild edibles and may also know of wild edible tours.
Homeless Long Island: We use the app PlantNet along with Google Lens to identify the wild edibles and look up the benefits and side effects of the plants in question. https://plantnet.org/en/ We are not experts on wild edibles, but we do have a few years of experience, Feel free to call us if you have any questions.
25 plants you can forage in nature. https://youtu.be/eRylBLWhB6s?si=eSf6I5Yssp4mKoU_
Foraging can be a fun and rewarding experience, but safety should always be your top priority. Consider the above resources along with foraging as you navigate your current situations .
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