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Foraging for Food in an Occupied City

I thought we should discuss foraging for food in the city. Let us suppose that the abandoned domiciles and all
shelves of the shops have been picked clean, and that we are not the sort to resort to cannibalism. .. and yet,
we must eat.
There is an abundance of food in the city, though not of the sort we Americans are accustomed to. The most
pressing concern is not finding food, but finding food that will not kill us. Many of the flora and fauna which one
might sup upon in the wild with little or no care may have been raised in or on that most wonderful product of all
metropolises - the toxic cesspool. 
Plants grow resistant, yet store these toxins within their cellular structure.  Insects and small animals eat these, 
who are then eaten in turn by others which we may have designs upon. Each rung up the predatory ladder gets 
ever greater  concentrations of these toxins. Fish from polluted lakes and rivers are notorious for their proclivity 
at storing heavy metals within their flesh. Birds and other carnivores eat the contaminated fish - and we may wish 
to eat those predators.
Yet, we MUST eat. While I am in no way an expert on the toxic capacity of city life - I do not think it would be 
impossible to become fairly well educated on which species one should avoid the most. The choice is between 
starvation and no future, or possible illness and death by slow/medium or fast poisoning.  
The key word here, I believe, is possible. There is nothing uncertain in how starvation eventually ends. It is 
ALWAYS death. It is a long, long, long death in which one might find oneself wondering WHY didn't I choke down
that worm?
SO let's take the obvious, in the most general fashion - a list of possible edible plants and animals to be found in 
near any city. Lets not be squeamish about it and leave out the creepy crawlies. We're talking life and death here.
Once these lists are compiled (though additions will be welcome at any time) let's get a bit more detailed on a
case-by-case, species-by-species manner. It's all about survival - and this may just save your life one day.
TREES
	apples
	plums
	cherries
	acorns
	chestnuts
	pine needles
	pine nuts
	Don't forget maple and birch sap for making syrup! In other areas you may be able to harvest 
	mesquite bean pods, which can be ground to make a very nutritious flour. 
                (see http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119541347/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY;=0)
FLOWERS
	(Beware the Sprays)
GREEN STUFF
	Dandelions
	Berries
	Sheep sorrel 
	Nettles 
	Lambs Quarter
	Burdock
	Chickweed
	Plantain
	Cattail
	Get one or more books on the edible wild plants in your area. Find a mentor who can go foraging 
	with you and show you what's safe and what's poisonous. Do this NOW before TSHTF!
CREEPIES
	Worms
	Grubs
	Slugs/Snails
	Grasshoppers
	Ants?
	Termites?
	So I was downloading a text (which I probably already have somewhere) on maggot therapy for wounds, 
and it occurred to me that I'd left out these tasty little morsels. I was sure that they are edible (JTOC, Ft. Sherman, 
Panama) but lest y'all don't want to take my word for it, here's a sample of what I found on:
	http://askville.amazon.com/maggots-edible 
Details:
I was watching the show "Man vs. Wild" and the host ate some maggots that he found on a rotting animal carcass. 
He says that while the meat was rotten and should not be eaten, the maggots were safe to eat though they taste 
gross.
I would have thought that since they were eating and touching the rotten meat that they'd also contain whatever 
bacteria was in the meat... so it didn't make sense to me that he would eat them. Can they really be eaten safely? 
Should one rinse them off first?
Answers:
"Sure they're edible"
The problem with the meat isn't the maggots themselves, but the other invisible organisms that have been feeding 
on the meat at the same time.  The maggots, being alive, have functioning immune systems that kill any bacteria.  
There may be some bacteria clinging to the outside, but the maggots' immune systems are designed to keep their 
outsides relatively clean, too.  They are used to living in bacteria-filled environments and they don't want their 
skins eaten.
It certainly doesn't hurt to wash them off.  Often, people eating maggots don't, because they're usually pretty 
desperate by the time they're eating the maggots, and it really isn't going to help all that much.  You can't really 
scrub the maggot, which is what's required.  Mostly, you have to count on the fact that you're only going to ingest 
a small number of bacteria and count on your immune system to take care of them.
Many cultures eat maggots, and they often cook them rather than eat them raw.  That kills the bacteria on the 
surface, and makes them much tastier, too. Deep fried, they're crunchy and nutty flavored, a bit like pork rinds.  
They're very fatty, which actually makes them tasty as well as a good source of calories.
CRITTERS
	Dogs
	Cats
	Rats
	Snakes
	ANY Bird
	ANY Birds Eggs
SWIMMERS (Careful!)
	Crawdads
	Fish
	Clams
	Mussels
	Don't forget frogs and turtles.

Response:
Don't forget maple seeds! Very good, even months after falling to the ground. Good raw, salted, toasted, ground 
up in bread, etc.  Also: popple (Poplar) trees inner bark is supposed to make an okay flour, if you peel off strips & 
dry it. I hope to try this soon. 
Think also of plants as bait; a maple seed tied to a string will let you know when a squirrel is trying to nab it -- 
then you get squirrel soup.
Reply:
	Thanks, Kris - good suggestions!
Response:
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.  
		
This chart has been added to the group Files. You can Google Maslow and find out who he was, what he did, etc.  
The reason I am interjecting this here is to point out that in a SOS, there could be a whole host of shortages 
taking place in a short period of time.  We could be psychologically, if not physically overwhelmed by the 
magnitude of the change in our living conditions.  The idea behind Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is that the needs
in each tier must be fulfilled before you can reasonably be expected to fulfill the needs in the next highest tier.
This group was started with the assumption that there will be many who will not have a survival retreat or will be 
hindered in some way from getting to one. Or perhaps you will have simply decided to survive in place, at least for
awhile. Since food is one of the most basic needs, it is important to be prepared in advance to meet that shortage.
Storing seeds is a good idea if you think you are going to have the room and resources to grow a certain amount 
of your food. A lot has been written on the idea of roof-top gardening and container gardening. One other option, 
admittedly much more restrictive, is called window gardening.  It may be your only option if the outdoors is 
temporarily unsafe or unhealthy.
It might be possible for you to grow a small number of rabbits or chickens indoors.  You might not like the idea of 
sharing your living space with any animals but you may have no alternative.  On the plus side, their manure can 
be used as a source of fertilizer for your garden or a source of methane.  
Another source of protein can be found in mushrooms:
	http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2482/2
Mushrooms can be grown indoors or outdoors:
	http://www.fungiperfecti.com/kits/index.html
Foraging for food could be a very dangerous enterprise.  Especially if you are on your own.  Hopefully you will be 
armed when you go out foraging.  Gathering wild food could be out of the question, however; it could be 
contaminated by radioactive fallout.  In that case, of course, you will have to consider leaving for a less 
contaminated area as soon as possible.
(It is late now, so I'm going to close for now.  Maybe I can come up with some less obvious ideas/solutions in the 
morning. Some that don't involve eating my pets.)
Cheers!
Reply:
Some Edible and Medicinal Plants
Canna lily 
Canna indica 
Description: 
The canna lily is a coarse perennial herb, 90 centimeters to 3 meters tall. The plant grows from a large, thick, 
underground rootstock that is edible. Its large leaves resemble those of the banana plant but are not so large. 
The flowers of wild canna lily are usually small, relatively inconspicuous, and brightly colored reds, oranges, or 
yellows. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
As a wild plant, the canna lily is found in all tropical areas, especially in moist places along streams, springs, 
ditches, and the margins of woods. It may also be found in wet temperate, mountainous regions. It is easy to 
recognize because it is commonly cultivated in flower gardens in the United States. 
Edible Parts: 
The large and much branched rootstocks are full of edible starch. The younger parts may be finely chopped and 
then boiled or pulverized into a meal. Mix in the young shoots of palm cabbage for flavoring. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Cattail 
Typha latifolia 
Description: 
Cattails are grasslike plants with strap-shaped leaves 1 to 5 centimeters wide and growing up to 1.8 meters tall. 
The male flowers are borne in a dense mass above the female flowers. These last only a short time, leaving the 
female flowers that develop into the brown cattail. Pollen from the male flowers is often abundant and bright yellow. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Cattails are found throughout most of the world. Look for them in full sun areas at the margins of lakes, streams, 
canals, rivers, and brackish water. 
Edible Parts: 
The young tender shoots are edible raw or cooked. The rhizome is often very tough but is a rich source of starch.
Pound the rhizome to remove the starch and use as a flour. The pollen is also an exceptional source of starch. 
When the cattail is immature and still green, you can boil the female portion and eat it like corn on the cob. Other 
Uses: 
The dried leaves are an excellent source of weaving material you can use to make floats and rafts. The cottony 
seeds make good pillow stuffing and insulation. The fluff makes excellent tinder. Dried cattails are effective insect 
repellents when burned. 
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Cereus cactus 
Cereus species 
Description: 
These cacti are tall and narrow with angled stems and numerous spines. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
They may be found in true deserts and other dry, open, sunny areas throughout the Caribbean region, Central 
America, and the western United States. 
Edible Parts: 
The fruits are edible, but some may have a laxative effect. Other Uses: The pulp of the cactus is a good source of 
water. Break open the stem and scoop out the pulp. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Chestnut 
Castanea sativa 
Description: 
The European chestnut is usually a large tree, up to 18 meters in height. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
In temperate regions, the chestnut is found in both hardwood and coniferous forests. In the tropics, it is found in 
semi-evergreen seasonal forests. They are found over all of middle and south Europe and across middle Asia to 
China and Japan. They are relatively abundant along the edge of meadows and as a forest tree. The European 
chestnut is one of the most common varieties. Wild chestnuts in Asia belong to the related chestnut species. 
Edible Parts: 
Chestnuts are highly useful as survival food. Ripe nuts are usually picked in autumn, although unripe nuts picked 
while green may also be used for food. Perhaps the easiest way to prepare them is to roast the ripe nuts in 
embers. Cooked this way, they are quite tasty, and you can eat large quantities. Another way is to boil the kernels 
after removing the outer shell. After being boiled until fairly soft, you can mash the nuts like potatoes. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Chicory 
Cichorium intybus 
Description: 
This plant grows up to 1.8 meters tall. It has leaves clustered at the base of the stem and some leaves on the 
stem. The base leaves resemble those of the dandelion. The flowers are sky blue and stay open only on sunny 
days. Chicory has a milky juice. 

Habitat and Distribution: 
Look for chicory in old fields, waste areas, weedy lots, and along roads. It is a native of Europe and Asia, but is 
also found in Africa and most of North America where it grows as a weed. 
Edible Parts: 
All parts are edible. Eat the young leaves as a salad or boil to eat as a vegetable. Cook the roots as a vegetable. 
For use as a coffee substitute, roast the roots until they are dark brown and then pulverize them. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Chufa 
Cyperus esculentus 
Description: 
This very common plant has a triangular stem and grass like leaves. It grows to a height of 20 to 60 centimeters. 
The mature plant has a soft fur like bloom that extends from a whorl of leaves. Tubers 1 to 2.5 centimeters in 
diameter grow at the ends of the roots. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Chufa grows in moist sandy areas throughout the world. It is often an abundant weed in cultivated fields. 
Edible Parts: 
The tubers are edible raw, boiled, or baked. You can also grind them and use them as a coffee substitute. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Coconut 
Cocos nucifera 
Description: 
This tree has a single, narrow, tall trunk with a cluster of very large leaves at the top. Each leaf may be over 6 
meters long with over 100 pairs of leaflets. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Coconut palms are found throughout the tropics. They are most abundant near coastal regions. 
Edible Parts: 
The nut is a valuable source of food. The milk of the young coconut is rich in sugar and vitamins and is an 
excellent source of liquid. The nut meat is also nutritious but is rich in oil. To preserve the meat, spread it in the 
sun until it is completely dry. 
Other Uses: Use coconut oil to cook and to protect metal objects from corrosion. Also use the oil to treat saltwater
sores, sunburn, and dry skin. Use the oil in improvised torches. Use the tree trunk as building material and the 
leaves as thatch. Hollow out the large stump for use as a food container. The coconut husks are good flotation 
devices and the husk's fibers are used to weave ropes and other items. Use the gauzelike fibers at the leaf bases 
as strainers or use them to weave a bug net or to make a pad to use on wounds. The husk makes a good 
abrasive. Dried husk fiber is an excellent tinder. A smoldering husk helps to repel mosquitoes. Smoke caused by 
dripping coconut oil in a fire also repels mosquitoes. 
To render coconut oil, put the coconut meat in the sun, heat it over a slow fire, or boil it in a pot of water. 
Coconuts washed out to sea are a good source of fresh liquid for the sea survivor. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Common jujube 
Ziziphus jujuba 
Description: 
The common jujube is either a deciduous tree growing to a height of 12 meters or a large shrub, depending upon 
where it grows and how much water is available for growth. Its branches are usually spiny. Its reddish-brown to 
yellowish-green fruit is oblong to ovoid, 3 centimeters or less in diameter, smooth, and sweet in flavor, but has 
rather dry pulp around a comparatively large stone. Its flowers are green. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
The jujube is found in forested areas of temperate regions and in desert scrub and waste areas worldwide. It is 
common in many of the tropical and subtropical areas of the Old World. In Africa, it is found mainly bordering the 
Mediterranean. In Asia, it is especially common in the drier parts of India and China. The jujube is also found 
throughout the East Indies. It can be found bordering some desert areas. 
Edible Parts: 
The pulp, crushed in water, makes a refreshing beverage. If time permits, you can dry the ripe fruit in the sun like 
dates. Its fruits are high in vitamins A and C. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Cranberry 
Vaccinium macrocarpon 
Description: 
This plant has tiny leaves arranged alternately. Its stem creeps along the ground. Its fruits are red berries. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
It only grows in open, sunny, wet areas in the colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere. 
Edible Parts: 
The berries are very tart when eaten raw. Cook in a small amount of water and add sugar, if available, to make a 
jelly. 
Other Uses: Cranberries may act as a diuretic. They are useful for treating urinary tract infections. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Crowberry 
Empetrum nigrum 

Description: 
This is a dwarf evergreen shrub with short needlelike leaves. It has small, shiny, black berries that remain on the 
bush throughout the winter. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Look for this plant in tundra throughout arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. 
Edible Parts: 
The fruits are edible fresh or can be dried for later use. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Dandelion 
Taraxacum officinale 
Description: 
Dandelion leaves have a jagged edge, grow close to the ground, and are seldom more than 20 centimeters long. 
Its flowers are bright yellow. There are several dandelion species. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Dandelions grow in open, sunny locations throughout the Northern Hemisphere. 

Edible Parts: 
All parts are edible. Eat the leaves raw or cooked. Boil the roots as a vegetable. Roots roasted and ground are a 
good coffee substitute. Dandelions are high in vitamins A and C and in calcium. 
Other Uses: Use the white juice in the flower stems as glue. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Daylily 
Hemerocallis fulva 
Description: 
This plant has unspotted, tawny blossoms that open for 1 day only. It has long, sword like, green basal leaves. Its 
root is a mass of swollen and elongated tubers. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Daylilies are found worldwide in Tropic and Temperate Zones. They are grown as a vegetable in the Orient and as
an ornamental plant elsewhere. 
Edible Parts: 
The young green leaves are edible raw or cooked. Tubers are also edible raw or cooked. You can eat its flowers 
raw, but they taste better cooked. You can also fry the flowers for storage. CAUTION: Eating excessive amounts 
of raw flowers may cause diarrhea. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Duchesnea or Indian strawberry 
Duchesnea indica 
Description: 
The duchesnea is a small plant that has runners and three-parted leaves. Its flowers are yellow and its fruit 
resembles a strawberry. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
It is native to southern Asia but is a common weed in warmer temperate regions. Look for it in lawns, gardens, and 
along roads. 
Edible Parts: 
Its fruit is edible. Eat it fresh. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Elderberry 
Sambucus canadensis 
Description: 
Elderberry is a many-stemmed shrub with opposite, compound leaves. It grows to a height of 6 meters. Its flowers 
are fragrant, white, and borne in large flat-topped clusters up to 30 centimeters across. Its berrylike fruits are dark 
blue or black when ripe. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
This plant is found in open, usually wet areas at the margins of marshes, rivers, ditches, and lakes. It grows 
throughout much of eastern North America and Canada. 
Edible Parts: 
The flowers and fruits are edible. You can make a drink by soaking the flower heads for 8 hours, discarding the 
flowers, and drinking the liquid. CAUTION: All other parts of the plant are poisonous and dangerous if eaten. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Fireweed 
Epilobium angustifolium 
Description: 
This plant grows up to 1.8 meters tall. It has large, showy, pink flowers and lance- shaped leaves. Its relative, the 
dwarf fireweed (Epilobium latifolium), grows 30 to 60 centimeters tall. 

Habitat and Distribution: 
Tall fireweed is found in open woods, on hillsides, on stream banks, and near seashores in arctic regions. It is 
especially abundant in burned-over areas. Dwarf fireweed is found along streams, sandbars, and lakeshores and 
on alpine and arctic slopes. 
Edible Parts: 
The leaves, stems, and flowers are edible in the spring but become tough in summer. You can split open the 
stems of old plants and eat the pith raw. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Foxtail grass 
Setaria species 
Description: 
This weedy grass is readily recognized by the narrow, cylindrical head containing long hairs. Its grains are small, 
less than 6 millimeters long. The dense heads of grain often droop when ripe. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Look for foxtail grasses in open, sunny areas, along roads, and at the margins of fields. Some species occur in 
wet, marshy areas. Species of Setaria are found throughout the United States, Europe, western Asia, and tropical 
Africa. In some parts of the world, foxtail grasses are grown as a food crop. 
Edible Parts: 
The grains are edible raw but are very hard and sometimes bitter. Boiling removes some of the bitterness and 
makes them easier to eat. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Hackberry 
Celtis species 
Description: 
Hackberry trees have smooth, gray bark that often has corky warts or ridges. The tree may reach 39 meters in 
height. Hackberry trees have long-pointed leaves that grow in two rows. This tree bears small, round berries that 
can be eaten when they are ripe and fall from the tree. The wood of the hackberry is yellowish. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
This plant is widespread in the United States, especially in and near ponds. 
Edible Parts: 
Its berries are edible when they are ripe and fall from the tree. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Hazelnut or wild filbert 
Corylus species 
Description: 
Hazelnuts grow on bushes 1.8 to 3.6 meters high. One species in Turkey and another in China are large trees. 
The nut itself grows in a very bristly husk that conspicuously contracts above the nut into a long neck. The 
different species vary in this respect as to size and shape. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Hazelnuts are found over wide areas in the United States, especially the eastern half of the country and along the 
Pacific coast. These nuts are also found in Europe where they are known as filberts. The hazelnut is common in 
Asia, especially in eastern Asia from the Himalayas to China and Japan. The hazelnut usually grows in the dense 
thickets along stream banks and open places. They are not plants of the dense forest. 
Edible Parts: 
Hazelnuts ripen in the autumn when you can crack them open and eat the kernel. The dried nut is extremely 
delicious. The nut's high oil content makes it a good survival food. In the unripe stage, you can crack them open 
and eat the fresh kernel. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Indian potato or Eskimo potato 
Claytonia species 
Description: 
All Claytonia species are somewhat fleshy plants only a few centimeters tall, with showy flowers about 2.5 
centimeters across. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Some species are found in rich forests where they are conspicuous before the leaves develop. Western species 
are found throughout most of the northern United States and in Canada. 
Edible Parts: 
The tubers are edible but you should boil them before eating. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Juniper 
Juniperus species 
Description: 
Junipers, sometimes called cedars, are trees or shrubs with very small, scale like leaves densely crowded around 
the branches. Each leaf is less than 1.2 centimeters long. All species have a distinct aroma resembling the 
well-known cedar. The berrylike cones are usually blue and covered with a whitish wax. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Look for junipers in open, dry, sunny areas throughout North America and northern Europe. Some species are 
found in southeastern Europe, across Asia to Japan, and in the mountains of North Africa. 
Edible Parts: 
The berries and twigs are edible. Eat the berries raw or roast the seeds to use as a coffee substitute. Use dried 
and crushed berries as a seasoning for meat. Gather young twigs to make a tea. CAUTION: Many plants may be 
called cedars but are not related to junipers and may be harmful. Always look for the berrylike structures, needle 
leaves, and resinous, fragrant sap to be sure the plant you have is a juniper. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Lotus 
Nelumbo species 
Description: 
There are two species of lotus: one has yellow flowers and the other pink flowers. The flowers are large and 
showy. The leaves, which may float on or rise above the surface of the water, often reach 1.5 meters in radius. 
The fruit has a distinctive flattened shape and contains up to 20 hard seeds. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
The yellow-flowered lotus is native to North America. The pink-flowered species, which is widespread in the Orient,
is planted in many other areas of the world. Lotuses are found in quiet fresh water. 

Edible Parts: 
All parts of the plant are edible raw or cooked. The underwater parts contain large quantities of starch. Dig the 
fleshy portions from the mud and bake or boil them. Boil the young leaves and eat them as a vegetable. The 
seeds have a pleasant flavor and are nutritious. Eat them raw, or parch and grind them into flour. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Marsh marigold 
Caltha palustris 
Description: 
This plant has rounded, dark green leaves arising from a short stem. It has bright yellow flowers. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
This plant is found in bogs, lakes, and slow-moving streams. It is abundant in arctic and subarctic regions and in 
much of the eastern region of the northern United States. 
Edible Parts: 
All parts are edible if boiled. CAUTION: As with all water plants, do not eat this plant raw. Raw water plants may 
carry dangerous organisms that are removed only by cooking. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Mulberry 
Morus species 
Description: 
This tree has alternate, simple, often lobed leaves with rough surfaces. Its fruits are blue or black and many 
seeded. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Mulberry trees are found in forests, along roadsides, and in abandoned fields in Temperate and Tropical Zones 
of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. 
Edible Parts: 
The fruit is edible raw or cooked. It can be dried for eating later. CAUTION: When eaten in quantity, mulberry fruit 
acts as a laxative. Green, unripe fruit can be hallucinogenic and cause extreme nausea and cramps. 
Other Uses: 
You can shred the inner bark of the tree and use it to make twine or cord. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Nettle 
Urtica and Laportea species 
Description: 
These plants grow several feet high. They have small, inconspicuous flowers. Fine, hair like bristles cover the 
stems, leafstalks, and undersides of leaves. The bristles cause a stinging sensation when they touch the skin. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Nettles prefer moist areas along streams or at the margins of forests. They are found throughout North America, 
Central America, the Caribbean, and northern Europe. 
Edible Parts: 
Young shoots and leaves are edible. Boiling the plant for 10 to 15 minutes destroys the stinging element of the 
bristles. This plant is very nutritious. 
Other Uses: Mature stems have a fibrous layer that you can divide into individual fibers and use to weave string 
or twine. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Oak 
Quercus species 
Description: 
Oak trees have alternate leaves and acorn fruits. There are two main groups of oaks: red and white. The red oak 
group has leaves with bristles and smooth bark in the upper part of the tree. Red oak acorns take 2 years to 
mature. The white oak group has leaves without bristles and a rough bark in the upper portion of the tree. White 
oak acorns mature in 1 year. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Oak trees are found in many habitats throughout North America, Central America, and parts of Europe and Asia. 

Edible Parts: 
All parts are edible, but often contain large quantities of bitter substances. White oak acorns usually have a better 
flavor than red oak acorns. Gather and shell the acorns. Soak red oak acorns in water for 1 to 2 days to remove 
the bitter substance. You can speed up this process by putting wood ashes in the water in which you soak the 
acorns. Boil the acorns or grind them into flour and use the flour for baking. You can use acorns that you baked 
until very dark as a coffee substitute. CAUTION: Tannic acid gives the acorns their bitter taste. Eating an 
excessive amount of acorns high in tannic acid can lead to kidney failure. Before eating acorns, leach out this 
chemical. 
Other Uses: Oak wood is excellent for building or burning. Small oaks can be split and cut into long thin strips (3 
to 6 millimeters thick and 1.2 centimeters wide) used to weave mats, baskets, or frameworks for packs, sleds, 
furniture, etc. Oak bark soaked in water produces a tanning solution used to preserve leather. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Orach 
Atriplex species 
Description: 
This plant is vine like in growth and has arrowhead-shaped, alternate leaves up to 5 centimeters long. Young 
leaves maybe silver-colored. Its flowers and fruits are small and inconspicuous. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Orach species are entirety restricted to salty soils. They are found along North America's coasts and on the 
shores of alkaline lakes inland. They are also found along seashores from the Mediterranean countries to inland 
areas in North Africa and eastward to Turkey and central Siberia. 
Edible Parts: 
The entire plant is edible raw or boiled
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Palmetto palm 
Sabal palmetto 
Description: 
The palmetto palm is a tall, unbranched tree with persistent leaf bases on most of the trunk. The leaves are large, 
simple, and palmately lobed. Its fruits are dark blue or black with a hard seed. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
The palmetto palm is found throughout the coastal regions of the southeastern United States. 
Edible Parts: 
The fruits are edible raw. The hard seeds may be ground into flour. The heart of the palm is a nutritious food 
source at any time. Cut off the top of the tree to obtain the palm heart. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Persimmon 
Diospyros virginiana and other species 
Description: 
These trees have alternate, dark green, elliptic leaves with entire margins. The flowers are inconspicuous. The 
fruits are orange, have a sticky consistency, and have several seeds. 

Habitat and Distribution: 
The persimmon is a common forest margin tree. It is wide spread in Africa, eastern North America, and the Far 
East. 

Edible Parts: 
The leaves are a good source of vitamin C. The fruits are edible raw or baked. To make tea, dry the leaves and 
soak them in hot water. You can eat the roasted seeds. CAUTION: Some persons are unable to digest persimmon 
pulp. Unripe persimmons are highly astringent and inedible. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Pincushion cactus 
Mammilaria species 
Description: 
Members of this cactus group are round, short, barrel-shaped, and without leaves. Sharp spines cover the entire 
plant. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
These cacti are found throughout much of the desert regions of the western United States and parts of Central 
America. 
Edible Parts: 
They are a good source of water in the desert. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Pine 
Pinus species 
Description: 
Pine trees are easily recognized by their needlelike leaves grouped in bundles. Each bundle may contain one to 
five needles, the number varying among species. The tree's odor and sticky sap provide a simple way to 
distinguish pines from similar looking trees with needlelike leaves. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Pines prefer open, sunny areas. They are found throughout North America, Central America, much of the 
Caribbean region, North Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and some places in Asia. 
Edible Parts: 
The seeds of all species are edible. You can collect the young male cones, which grow only in the spring, as a 
survival food. Boil or bake the young cones. The bark of young twigs is edible. Peel off the bark of thin twigs. You 
can chew the juicy inner bark; it is rich in sugar and vitamins. Eat the seeds raw or cooked. Green pine needle tea 
is high in vitamin C. 
Other Uses : Use the resin to waterproof articles. Also use it as glue. Collect the resin from the tree. If there is 
not enough resin on the tree, cut a notch in the bark so more sap will seep out. Put the resin in a container and 
heat it. The hot resin is your glue. Use it as is or add a small amount of ash dust to strengthen it. Use it 
immediately. You can use hardened pine resin as an emergency dental filling. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Plantain, broad and narrow leaf 
Plantago species 
Description: 
The broad leaf plantain has leaves over 2.5 centimeters across that grow close to the ground. The flowers are on 
a spike that rises from the middle of the cluster of leaves. The narrow leaf plantain has leaves up to 12 
centimeters long and 2.5 centimeters wide, covered with hairs. The leaves form a rosette. The flowers are small 
and inconspicuous. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Look for these plants in lawns and along roads in the North Temperate Zone. This plant is a common weed 
throughout much of the world. 
Edible Parts: 
The young tender leaves are edible raw. Older leaves should be cooked. Seeds are edible raw or roasted. 
Other Uses: To relieve pain from wounds and sores, wash and soak the entire plant for a short time and apply it 
to the injured area. To treat diarrhea, drink tea made from 28 grams (1 ounce) of the plant leaves boiled in 0.5 
liter of water. The seeds and seed husks act as laxatives. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Pokeweed 
Phytolacca americana 
Description: 
This plant may grow as high as 3 meters. Its leaves are elliptic and up to 1 meter in length. It produces many large 
clusters of purple fruits in late spring. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Look for this plant in open, sunny areas in forest clearings, in fields, and along roadsides in eastern North 
America, Central America, and the Caribbean. 
Edible Parts: 
The young leaves and stems are edible cooked. Boil them twice, discarding the water from the first boiling. The 
fruits are edible if cooked. CAUTION: All parts of this plant are poisonous if eaten raw. Never eat the underground 
portions of the plant as these contain the highest concentrations of the poisons. Do not eat any plant over 25 
centimeters tall or when red is showing in the plant. 
Other Uses: Use the juice of fresh berries as a dye. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Prickly pear cactus 
Opuntia species 
Description: 
This cactus has flat, padlike stems that are green. Many round, furry dots that contain sharp-pointed hairs cover 
these stems. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
This cactus is found in arid and semiarid regions and in dry, sandy areas of wetter regions throughout most of the 
United States and Central and South America. Some species are planted in arid and semiarid regions of other 
parts of the world. 
Edible Parts: 
All parts of the plant are edible. Peel the fruits and eat them fresh or crush them to prepare a refreshing drink. 
Avoid the tiny, pointed hairs. Roast the seeds and grind them to a flour. CAUTION: Avoid any prickly pear cactus 
like plant with milky sap. 

Other Uses: The pad is a good source of water. Peel it carefully to remove all sharp hairs before putting it in your
mouth. You can also use the pads to promote healing. Split them and apply the pulp to wounds. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Purslane 
Portulaca oleracea 
Description: 
This plant grows close to the ground. It is seldom more than a few centimeters tall. Its stems and leaves are fleshy 
and often tinged with red. It has paddle shaped leaves, 2.5 centimeter or less long, clustered at the tips of the 
stems. Its flowers are yellow or pink. Its seeds are tiny and black. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
It grows in full sun in cultivated fields, field margins, and other weedy areas throughout the world. 
Edible Parts: 
All parts are edible. Wash and boil the plants for a tasty vegetable or eat them raw. Use the seeds as a flour 
substitute or eat them raw. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Reindeer moss 
Cladonia rangiferina 
Description: 
Reindeer moss is a low-growing plant only a few centimeters tall. It does not flower but does produce bright red 
reproductive structures. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Look for this lichen in open, dry areas. It is very common in much of North America. 
Edible Parts: 
The entire plant is edible but has a crunchy, brittle texture. Soak the plant in water with some wood ashes to 
remove the bitterness, then dry, crush, and add it to milk or to other food. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Rock tripe 
Umbilicaria species 
Description: 
This plant forms large patches with curling edges. The top of the plant is usually black. The underside is lighter in 
color. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Look on rocks and boulders for this plant. It is common throughout North America. 
Edible Parts: 
The entire plant is edible. Scrape it off the rock and wash it to remove grit. The plant may be dry and crunchy; 
soak it in water until it becomes soft. Rock tripes may contain large quantities of bitter substances; soaking or 
boiling them in several changes of water will remove the bitterness. CAUTION: There are some reports of 
poisoning from rock tripe, so apply the Universal Edibility Test. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Rose apple 
Eugenia jambos 
Description: 
This tree grows 3 to 9 meters high. It has opposite, simple, dark green, shiny leaves. When fresh, it has fluffy, 
yellowish-green flowers and red to purple egg-shaped fruit. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
This tree is widely planted in all of the tropics. It can also be found in a semi-wild state in thickets, waste places, 
and secondary forests. 
Edible Parts: 
The entire fruit is edible raw or cooked. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Sassafras 
Sassafras albidum 
Description: 
This shrub or small tree bears different leaves on the same plant. Some leaves will have one lobe, some two lobes,
and some no lobes. The flowers, which appear in early spring, are small and yellow. The fruits are dark blue. The 
plant parts have a characteristics root beer smell. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Sassafras grows at the margins of roads and forests, usually in open, sunny areas. It is a common tree throughout 
eastern North America. 
Edible Parts: 
The young twigs and leaves are edible fresh or dried. You can add dried young twigs and leaves to soups. Dig the
underground portion, peel off the bark, and let it dry. Then boil it in water to prepare sassafras tea. 
Other Uses: Shred the tender twigs for use as a toothbrush. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Sheep sorrel 
Rumex acerosella 
Description: 
These plants are seldom more than 30 centimeters tall. They have alternate leaves, often with arrow like bases, 
very small flowers, and frequently reddish stems. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Look for these plants in old fields and other disturbed areas in North America and Europe. 
Edible Parts: 
The plants are edible raw or cooked. CAUTION: These plants contain oxalic acid that can be damaging if too 
many plants are eaten raw. Cooking seems to destroy the chemical. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Sorghum 
Sorghum species 
Description: 
There are many different kinds of sorghum, all of which bear grains in heads at the top of the plants. The grains 
are brown, white, red, or black. Sorghum is the main food crop in many parts of the world. 

Habitat and Distribution: 
Sorghum is found worldwide, usually in warmer climates. All species are found in open, sunny areas. 
Edible Parts: 
The grains are edible at any stage of development. When young, the grains are milky and edible raw. Boil the 
older grains. Sorghum is a nutritious food. 
Other Uses: Use the stems of tall sorghum as building materials. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Spatterdock or yellow water lily 
Nuphar species 
Description: 
This plant has leaves up to 60 centimeters long with a triangular notch at the base. The shape of the leaves is 
somewhat variable. The plant's yellow flowers are 2.5 centimeter across and develop into bottle-shaped fruits. 
The fruits are green when ripe. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
These plants grow throughout most of North America. They are found in quiet, fresh, shallow water (never deeper 
than 1.8 meters). 
Edible Parts: 
All parts of the plant are edible. The fruits contain several dark brown seeds you can parch or roast and then 
grind into flour. The large rootstock contains starch. Dig it out of the mud, peel off the outside, and boil the flesh. 
Sometimes the rootstock contains large quantities of a very bitter compound. Boiling in several changes of water 
may remove the bitterness. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Strawberry 
Fragaria species 
Description: 
Strawberry is a small plant with a three-leaved growth pattern. It has small, white flowers usually produced during 
the spring. Its fruit is red and fleshy. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Strawberries are found in the North Temperate Zone and also in the high mountains of the southern Western 
Hemisphere. Strawberries prefer open, sunny areas. They are commonly planted. 
Edible Parts: 
The fruit is edible fresh, cooked, or dried. Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C. You can also eat the 
plant's leaves or dry them and make a tea with them. WARNING Eat only white-flowering true strawberries. Other 
similar plants without white flowers can be poisonous. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Tamarind 
Tamarindus indica 
Description: 
The tamarind is a large, densely branched tree, up to 25 meters tall. Its has pinnate leaves (divided like a feather) 
with 10 to 15 pairs of leaflets. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
The tamarind grows in the drier parts of Africa, Asia, and the Philippines. Although it is thought to be a native of 
Africa, it has been cultivated in India for so long that it looks like a native tree. It is also found in the American 
tropics, the West Indies, Central America, and tropical South America. 

Edible Parts: 
The pulp surrounding the seeds is rich in vitamin C and is an important survival food. You can make a pleasantly 
acid drink by mixing the pulp with water and sugar or honey and letting the mixture mature for several days. Suck 
the pulp to relieve thirst. Cook the young, unripe fruits or seedpods with meat. Use the young leaves in soup. You 
must cook the seeds. Roast them above a fire or in ashes. Another way is to remove the seed coat and soak the 
seeds in salted water and grated coconut for 24 hours, then cook them. You can peel the tamarind bark and chew 
it. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Thistle 
Cirsium species 
Description: 
This plant may grow as high as 1.5 meters. Its leaves are long-pointed, deeply lobed, and prickly. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Thistles grow worldwide in dry woods and fields. 

Edible Parts: 
Peel the stalks, cut them into short sections, and boil them before eating. The roots are edible raw or cooked. 
CAUTION: Some thistle species are poisonous. 
Other Uses: Twist the tough fibers of the stems to make a strong twine. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Walnut 
Juglans species 
Description: 
Walnuts grow on very large trees, often reaching 18 meters tall. The divided leaves characterize all walnut spades.
The walnut itself has a thick outer husk that must be removed to reach the hard inner shell of the nut. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
The English walnut, in the wild state, is found from southeastern Europe across Asia to China and is abundant in 
the Himalayas. Several other species of walnut are found in China and Japan. The black walnut is common in the 
eastern United States. 
Edible Parts: 
The nut kernel ripens in the autumn. You get the walnut meat by cracking the shell. Walnut meats are highly 
nutritious because of their protein and oil content. 
Other Uses: You can boil walnuts and use the juice as an antifungal agent. The husks of "green" walnuts 
produce a dark brown dye for clothing or camouflage. Crush the husks of "green" black walnuts and sprinkle them 
into sluggish water or ponds for use as fish poison. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Water chestnut 
Trapa natans 
Description: 
The water chestnut is an aquatic plant that roots in the mud and has finely divided leaves that grow underwater. 
Its floating leaves are much larger and coarsely toothed. The fruits, borne underwater, have four sharp spines on 
them. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
The water chestnut is a freshwater plant only. It is a native of Asia but has spread to many parts of the world in 
both temperate and tropical areas. 
Edible Parts: 
The fruits are edible raw and cooked. The seeds are also a source of food. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Water lettuce 
Ceratopteris species 
Description: 
The leaves of water lettuce are much like lettuce and are very tender and succulent. One of the easiest ways of 
distinguishing water lettuce is by the little plantlets that grow from the margins of the leaves. These little plantlets 
grow in the shape of a rosette. Water lettuce plants often cover large areas in the regions where they are found. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Found in the tropics throughout the Old World in both Africa and Asia. Another kind is found in the New World 
tropics from Florida to South America. Water lettuce grows only in very wet places and often as a floating water 
plant. Look for water lettuce in still lakes, ponds, and the backwaters of rivers. 
Edible Parts: 
Eat the fresh leaves like lettuce. Be careful not to dip the leaves in the contaminated water in which they are 
growing. Eat only the leaves that are well out of the water. CAUTION: This plant has carcinogenic properties and 
should only be used as a last resort. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Water lily 
Nymphaea odorata 
Description: 
These plants have large, triangular leaves that float on the water's surface, large, fragrant flowers that are usually 
white, or red, and thick, fleshy rhizomes that grow in the mud. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Water lilies are found throughout much of the temperate and subtropical regions. 
Edible Parts: 
The flowers, seeds, and rhizomes are edible raw or cooked. To prepare rhizomes for eating, peel off the corky 
rind. Eat raw, or slice thinly, allow to dry, and then grind into flour. Dry, parch, and grind the seeds into flour. 
Other Uses: Use the liquid resulting from boiling the thickened root in water as a medicine for diarrhea and as a 
gargle for sore throats. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Water plantain 
Alisma plantago-aquatica 
Description: 
This plant has small, white flowers and heart-shaped leaves with pointed tips. The leaves are clustered at the 
base of the plant. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Look for this plant in fresh water and in wet, full sun areas in Temperate and Tropical Zones. 
Edible Parts: 
The rootstocks are a good source of starch. Boil or soak them in water to remove the bitter taste. CAUTION: To 
avoid parasites, always cook aquatic plants. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Wild crab apple or wild apple 
Malus species 
Description: 
Most wild apples look enough like domestic apples that the survivor can easily recognize them. Wild apple 
varieties are much smaller than cultivated kinds; the largest kinds usually do not exceed 5 to 7.5 centimeters in 
diameter, and most often less. They have small, alternate, simple leaves and often have thorns. Their flowers are 
white or pink and their fruits reddish or yellowish. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
They are found in the savanna regions of the tropics. In temperate areas, wild apple varieties are found mainly in 
forested areas. Most frequently, they are found on the edge of woods or in fields. They are found throughout the 
Northern Hemisphere. 
Edible Parts: 
Prepare wild apples for eating in the same manner as cultivated kinds. Eat them fresh, when ripe, or cooked. 
Should you need to store food, cut the apples into thin slices and dry them. They are a good source of vitamins. 
CAUTION: Apple seeds contain cyanide compounds. Do not eat. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Wild dock and wild sorrel 
Rumex crispus and Rumex acetosella 
Description: 
Wild dock is a stout plant with most of its leaves at the base of its stem that is commonly 15 to 30 centimeters big.
The plants usually develop from a strong, fleshy, carrotlike taproot. Its flowers are usually very small, growing in 
green to purplish plumelike clusters. Wild sorrel similar to the wild dock but smaller. Many of the basal leaves are 
arrow-shaped but smaller than those of the dock and contain a sour juice. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
These plants can be found in almost all climatic zones of the world, in areas of high as well as low rainfall. Many 
kinds are found as weeds in fields, along roadsides, and in waste places. 
Edible Parts: 
Because of tender nature of the foliage, the sorrel and the dock are useful plants, especially in desert areas. You 
can eat their succulent leaves fresh or slightly cooked. To take away the strong taste, change the water once or 
twice during cooking. This latter tip is a useful hint in preparing many kinds of wild greens. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Wild grape vine 
Vitis species 
Description: 
The wild grape vine climbs with the aid of tendrils. Most grape vines produce deeply lobed leaves similar to the 
cultivated grape. Wild grapes grow in pyramidal, hanging bunches and are black-blue to amber, or white when 
ripe. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Wild grapes are distributed worldwide. Some kinds are found in deserts, others in temperate forests, and others in
tropical areas. Wild grapes are commonly found throughout the eastern United States as well as in the 
southwestern desert areas. Most kinds are rampant climbers over other vegetation. The best place to look for wild 
grapes is on the edges of forested areas. Wild grapes are also found in Mexico. In the Old World, wild grapes are 
found from the Mediterranean region eastward through Asia, the East Indies, and to Australia. Africa also has 
several kinds of wild grapes. 
Edible Parts: 
The ripe grape is the portion eaten. Grapes are rich in natural sugars and, for this reason, are much sought after 
as a source of energy-giving wild food. None are poisonous. 
Other Uses: You can obtain water from severed grape vine stems. Cut off the vine at the bottom and place the 
cut end in a container. Make a slant-wise cut into the vine about 1.8 meters upon the hanging part. This cut will 
allow water to flow from the bottom end. As water diminishes in volume, make additional cuts further down the vine.
CAUTION: To avoid poisoning, do not eat grapelike fruits with only a single seed (moonseed). 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Wild onion and garlic 
Allium species 
Description: 
Allium cernuum is an example of the many species of wild onions and garlics, all easily recognized by their 
distinctive odor. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Wild onions and garlics are found in open, sunny areas throughout the temperate regions. Cultivated varieties are 
found anywhere in the world. 
Edible Parts: 
The bulbs and young leaves are edible raw or cooked. Use in soup or to flavor meat. CAUTION: There are several
plants with onionlike bulbs that are extremely poisonous. Be certain that the plant you are using is a true onion or 
garlic. Do not eat bulbs with no onion smell.

Other Uses: Eating large quantities of onions will give your body an odor that will help to repel insects. Garlic 
juice works as an antibiotic on wounds 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Wild rice 
Zizania aquatica 
Description: 
Wild rice is a tall grass that averages 1 to 1.5 meters in height, but may reach 4.5 meters. Its grain grows in very 
loose heads at the top of the plant and is dark brown or blackish when ripe. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Wild rice grows only in very wet areas in tropical and temperate regions. 
Edible Parts: 
During the spring and summer, the central portion of the lower sterns and root shoots are edible. Remove the 
tough covering before eating. During the late summer and fail, collect the straw-covered husks. Dry and parch the 
husks, break them, and remove the rice. Boil or roast the rice and then beat it into flour. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Wild rose 
Rosa species 
Description: 
This shrub grows 60 centimeters to 2.5 meters high. It has alternate leaves and sharp prickles. Its flowers may be 
red, pink, or yellow. Its fruit, called rose hip, stays on the shrub year-round. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Look for wild roses in dry fields and open woods throughout the Northern Hemisphere. 
Edible Parts: 
The flowers and buds are edible raw or boiled. In an emergency, you can peel and eat the young shoots. You can 
boil fresh, young leaves in water to make a tea. After the flower petals fall, eat the rose hips; the pulp is highly 
nutritious and an excellent source of vitamin C. Crush or grind dried rose hips to make flour. CAUTION: Eat only 
the outer portion of the fruit as the seeds of some species are quite prickly and can cause internal distress. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Wood sorrel 
Oxalis species 
Description: 
Wood sorrel resembles shamrock or four-leaf clover, with a bell-shaped pink, yellow, or white flower. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
Wood sorrel is found in Temperate Zones worldwide, in lawns, open areas, and sunny woods. 
Edible Parts: 
Cook the entire plant. CAUTION: Eat only small amounts of this plant as it contains a fairly high concentration of 
oxalic acid that can be harmful. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Yam 
Dioscorea species 
Description: 
These plants are vines that creep along the ground. They have alternate, heart-or arrow-shaped leaves. Their 
rootstock may be very large and weigh many kilograms. 
Habitat and Distribution: 
True yams are restricted to tropical regions where they are an important food crop. Look for yams in fields, 
clearings, and abandoned gardens. They are found in rain forests, semi-evergreen seasonal forests, and scrub 
and thorn forests in the tropics. In warm temperate areas, they are found in seasonal hardwood or mixed 
hardwood-coniferous forests, as well as some mountainous areas. 
Edible Parts: 
Boil the rootstock and eat it as a vegetable. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

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