3 Go-To Plants Commonly Found In The US

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Service Berry

• A shrubby plant to a small tree size.

• Part of the rose family and has fruit with a very floral flavor.

• Seeds have a slight almond flavor and are a little large.

• Berries are red to purple and the size of small blueberries.

• You can cook in a pie and they pair well with cherries.

• These are found in every state.

Acorns

• Many types of oaks exist throughout the US and natives used them as a staple in their diets.  

• The inside is bitter and must be transformed by leaching it, drying it and leaching it.

• Makes great flour for bread, use it in a cornbread recipe

Stinging Nettle

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• Tall weed with picky points on it.

• Provides immunity boost

• Can be used early summer or late spring

• Can use in teas for alergy relief

• Seeds - not super tasty but can be put in a smoothie for an energy boost.

• The plant should be quickly boiled, steamed or dryed to render the stinging hairs useless.

• Cook similar to spinach, plain with salt and butter or use in an omlet or pesto.

• Very nutritious and high in protein.

Plants Featured in Day After Disaster

Basic Descriptions of the cattail, dandelion and Yampa Cattail - Food for every season

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Cattail

• Shoots - you have to pick at the right time to be tasty. As they elongate they get fibrous.

• Peel the shot and eat the inner layers that are white and tender. Get the shoots from plants that are hip height any taller than that they get too fibrous.

• Ryzomes under the much are best in late fall. They taste like corn.

• The pollen from the top can be used as a flour substitute but you have to use it immediately.

• The cattail part on top can be eaten when green, looks like a corn cob.

• The leaves picked in the late summer and fall can be used to make a mat.

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Dandelion

• Grow everywhere and many parts are edible.

• Dried roots are usually used in tea and makes a rich and hearty flavor.

• The greens are bitter and used in salad. Harvest in early spring.

• Flours are very useful and not bitter. You can put them in salads and fritters.

• The stalks are edible and juicer than the greens but they can be bitter as well.

• Dandelions are high in iron and calcium.

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Yampa

• Not common throughout the US and are a hidden treasure plant.

• Grow in bald habitat with shallow soil and very little trees.

• Leaves look like grass so they are hard to find.

• They have a tiny onion shaped veggie

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Benefits and Risks of Berries

Risks:

• Misidentifying any plant or berry is a huge risk.

• We've developed a sensitive pallet so if it tastes bad, spit it out!

• Learn from a professional and really know the plant before you eat it. 

• Berries are many people's introduction to wild foraging.

Benefits:

• Wild foraged berries are much more nutritious than domestically grown ones. Twice as high in antioxidants and vitamins.

• Unique flavors

• Growing native berries is trending and more environmentally sustainable.

• Diversity in your diet is very important.

Service Berry

Acorn

Stinging Nettle

Cattail

Dandelion

Yampa