By Terry Kelly
University of Georgia
Before there were fast food restaurants and grocery stores,
most
people grew a lot of the food they ate. Before he learned to
cultivate crops, early man hunted and gathered his food.
Apparently, that instinct is still alive in today’s society.
Almost invariably, when people find something novel in the
wild
that has a fruit or tender vegetative part, the first thing they
want to know is if it’s edible.
Certainly, there are many wild plants native to Georgia that
are
edible. While some may have unique flavors or be rich in
nutrients, others may not be safe to eat.
Being adventurous can be deadly
It may be adventurous and provide that back-to-nature
experience,
but eating wild plants that are unfamiliar can be unwise. After
all, groceries are still relatively cheap, but medical treatment
can be quite expensive.
One plant frequently found growing in Georgia is the sword
bean
(Canavalia gladiata) or jack bean (C.
ensiformis). These beans
draw lots of attention due to their size. The pods may reach
10-14 inches long and 1-2 inches wide. The seeds are ½ to ¾
inches
long and almost as wide.
Most jack beans are white with a black seed scar, while most
sword beans are red. The sword bean tends to be more vining than
the jack bean. Both beans are edible in the immature stage.
The young tender pods can be sliced and boiled or the beans
can
be shelled out and eaten like broad beans. However, the beans can
be poisonous when eaten in large quantities and the water should
be drained off after boiling and discarded.
Ramps, or wild leeks (Allium tricoccum and A.
brudickii L.) are native to
the mountain
areas of the state. It appears in the spring of the year and is
harvested for the root. There are several communities across the
South that have festivals in honor of the “ramp.”
The roots are very pungent and may be eaten raw or cooked.
Cooking the roots makes them less pungent. When raw, the
pungency is so intense that it can linger with the consumer for
several days.
There are many recipes for ramps. Cooking them with eggs is a
favorite.
There can be side effects
Ramps are entirely safe to eat. However, if you’re intent on
eating a mess of raw ones, be prepared to be exiled from your
family and friends for a few days.
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana L.) is well-known as a
weed that
has edible leaves. However, the roots, berries and seeds are
poisonous. “Poke salad” has been popular for generations. The
young tender shoots are gathered in the spring and are used as a
potherb.
Cut the shoots in the same way as asparagus, being careful not
to
take any part of the poisonous root or older stem. Older leaves
may be eaten as greens if boiled and the water drained to remove
the bitterness.
Pokeweed can be found in many places including pastures,
woodlands, fence rows and gardens.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is another weed that
has some
palatable properties. The leaves and stems are very fleshy and
succulent. (This isn’t the same plant as Florida Pusley.)
Common purslane has smooth purplish red prostrate stems coming
from a single taproot. Whole young plants, and especially young
leaves and tender stems, can be used as a potherb or eaten raw in
salads. They taste similar to watercress or spinach.
There are many other plants in the wild or in the yard that
can
be eaten. However, proper identity is crucial since picking the
wrong plant can lead to more than just a bad case of
indigestion.
In this case, asking if it’s edible is the right thing to
do.
