John Kallas, a Portland-based forager, recently published Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods from Dirt to Plate. Although the book only covers 15 edible greens (all of which are widely distributed), it does so in the greatest detail I've ever seen. (Left: Milkweed Flowers (Asclepias syriaca) by wide eyed lib. This plant has edible parts, but unfortunately it closely resembles toxic spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium).)
Every entry features plentiful photographs so each plant can be recognized at any stage of growth. Kallas also gives detailed harvest and preparation methods, including numerous recipes and tips on how to grow these plants in your own garden.
An experienced forager might find the level of detail unnecessary. But this book is geared toward beginners; it's perfect for those who may have been intimidated by plants guides in the past. It's a personal trainer for foragers, filled with extremely explicit step-by step instructions and lots of encouragement. I highly recommend it.
Covered: white lettuce & salsify
continued at Daily Kos....
