The purpose of this lab is to have some fun thinking about how plants have been useful for food, etc. throughout human history. Please note...do not eat anything ever unless you are 101% certain you know what it is - mistakes can be costly to the point of death!
This activity can be very simple and very quick. You are not required to actually forage (though you are welcome to do it!). Many things can be eaten...even in your own yard! You must complete ONE of the following activities:
Activity A: Do some research about where you live. What are some common edible plants that grow wild or as weeds? What do you think about the idea of eating them? Would your family or friends accept this way of seeing the plants around us? Write up your research and reflections in about 2 paragraphs...feel free to include photos you find!
Activity B: Actually go foraging for edible plants that grow wild or as weeds. Before you eat anything make sure you are 101% certain that you know what you are eating. Share this bounty with someone. Write up 2 paragraphs discussing your foraging trip, what you thought about it, the process of making food from these plants, and what it was like to share it with someone.
Your 2 paragraph write-up from either Activity A or Activity B [60 points]
Following are a number of videos to get you excited about foraging wild plants. You are not required to watch them but I put them here as they are pertinent to Merry Lea and what has been covered in our Botany course. There are MANY more videos online that can direct you regarding specific plants in different regions...feel free to use whatever you like as a resource!
This video is about foraging for a salad close around Merry Lea at this time of year. Emerson and Evelyn Pontius are guest instructors this time around, ha. They share some ‘unique' insights! Consider this recipe for a Simple wild-foraged salad
linden leaves (basswood)
redbud blossoms
wild blue violets
waterleaf
garlic mustard (if you like bitter flavors)
wood sorrel
The following 4 videos all have to do with the very common plant - cattails (Typha sp.). I came to love this plant under the tutelage of Dani Tippman - a local member of the Miami tribe (the native inhabitants of the land Merry Lea now occupies). She brought be to respect this plant for its many uses - medicine, bedding, insulation, diapers, food, a building material for homes, etc. Before our region was drained cattail marshes were scattered everywhere across the landscape. That meant that wherever you were, you had this plentiful and versatile resource easy at hand. Note - the flesh of cattails takes up pollutants in the water it is growing in. If you want to eat them make sure the water is clean that they are growing in (no heavy metals, pesticides, etc.).
Cattail 1
Cattail 2
Cattail 3
Cattail 4
Other videos...
Eating Cambium!
Yard Salad!
Purslane...it grows everywhere!
Common Mullein - good for more than toilet paper!