Roots
Posted by Mythili Thedchanamoorthy on April 12, 2005
Q: Hi,
I live near Taylor Creek Park in Toronto, Ontario Canada. I enjoy eating sprouts, young plants and leaves from nature. What are the plants I can eat in Early spring from the Marsh area/park? Also like artichokes are the common Thistle buds edible?(purple flower).
Thank you
Mythili
A: Looking forlocal plants to eat can certainly add some fun to your outings but needs to be done with caution. Don't want to scare anyone but it's important to BE SURE of the identify of any plant one might sample. One needs to be aware also that some areas are sprayed for insects and/or weeds so be sure that there are no chemicals on anything you may want to try. And then there's the issue of whose land can one "sample from"? Take a look at this web site and see if it doesn't provide some answers and also more links to get you started.
www.naturalhub.com Also, this book is older but certainly a classic -
"Stalking the Wild Asparagus" by E. Gibbons and should still be available. Although artichokes are in the thistle family, the common thistles around the northeast are definitely NOT edible.
Bon appetite.
John Wiessinger ( April 13, 2005)