The Wild and Edible
Florida is home to some of the most diverse amount of wild and edible plant species in the United States. Many of you may have stumbled upon a few of these species without even knowing.
Foraging for wild and edible plants can be a job, but it doesn’t have to be; it can also be a hobby. As we are in the day where we do not have to rely only on what we find in the wilderness, we can learn how to forage for supplementation, for nutrients, and for connections to the earth.
Many of the wild edible plants in Florida prosper under a harvesting, and you may be surprised to find that those “weeds” you have been trying to eradicate can actually supplement your yogurt parfait, salad, or dinner meal. Many of the wild edible species have as high or higher nutrient levels in them than swiss chard or spinach, making them an excellent addition to the family table.
As these items are being harvested from the plant, they will undoubtedly require work to turn some of them into an edible food source, especially those that shouldn’t be eaten raw or are just not recommended to be eaten raw. When foraging for wild edibles, there are a couple key things to keep in mind:
When harvesting, mindfulness of the location is of utmost importance as some of these plants can grow along sides of the road, ditches, yards, and other areas that may be prone to pesticide and herbicide spraying. It is never recommended to harvest and eat plants with potential poisons applied.
Leave food for the wildlife. Wild edibles are a main food source for many wildlife species, birds specifically. By harvesting all of a specific plant, we take more than we need, putting the health and wellbeing of other species at risk. A good rule of thumb to go by is to never take more than half.
Never harvest the first plant that you see; this could potentially be the last of its kind in that area.
Know exactly what you are gathering. Some plants have look-a-likes which can lead to serious danger. Make sure to know all the plant parts and its edible stages. Some are edible young while others are edible when they are mature.
Learn 1-2 plants at a time as to not overwhelm and confuse yourself. If you are uncertain, don’t try it!
Remember, all plants are edible at least once!