skip to main content

California Gardening

Wild edible plant book

12 years ago

Can anyone recommend a book for edible plants that grow wild in San Diego? More specifically coastal area? Thank you for your help

Tim

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

borderbarb
12 years ago
The link below lists both edible and poisonous natives. And reference several books
[1]Wild Edible Plants,Kirk, 1975, Naturegraph,,,,
[2]Edible Wild Plants,Medsger,1966,Macmillan Pub
/////
http://www.laspilitas.com/classes/herbs.htm#California Herbs in cooking -- California herbs in cooking
/////
http://artofmanliness.com/2010/10/06/surviving-in-the-wild-19-common-edible-plants/ -- Surviving in the Wild: 19 Common Edible Plants
/////
Hope these help ... Also might find ISHI - LAST OF HIS TRIBE useful ... as I recall there were lists of edible plants -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishi

Here is a link that might be useful: Edible Native Plants
0
fabaceae_native
12 years ago
I've read dozens and dozens of these books, and own a good percentage of the same, so it's no easy answer for me.

First of all, I'm not aware of anything out there that is specific to the SoCal Coast. Most are more general or have a regional bias without making that clear in the title.

My all-around favorite is without a doubt: Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods, by Thomas Elias, Peter A. Dykeman. It packs loads of information into a manageable sized book, including harvesting methods, nutritional stats, and preparation instructions. It is the only user friendly edibles guide that can really be used anywhere on the continent.

A Taste of Nature by Kahanah Farnsworth is a nice little book for the beginning forager with an obvious SoCal bent, and some useful recipes. Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and The Southwest by Delena Tull is another great resource, although it's too big to take in the field with you.

I could not give any recommendations under this topic without mentioning Euell Gibbons. His books remain the most accessible, realistic, and interesting to date. His Stalking the Wild Asparagus is a general guide with a Northeast focus, but includes all of the major edibles that are common anywhere.

Finally -- I apologize for the length of this, but you've hit on a passion of mine -- you might want to familiarize yourself with the host of temperate and sub-tropical zone weeds and cultivated edibles. When I go to Southern California, my best finds are not native wild plants, but rather naturalized non-natives. In fact I would say that the native flora of Southern, especially coastal, California is one of the poorest for fleshy fruits especially, and edibles in general. BUT, add to this the multitude of introduced plants that produce numerous luscious things and you have a region that is hard to beat for the forager.

So I hope you find some books that suit you, and don't be afraid to check out that vacant lot loaded with fruiting olive trees, pineapple guavas, fruiting palms, or the dandelions in your yard, and the weedy mallow coming up in the park.
0
Related Discussions
Wild Springtime Edibles
Q
Comments (9)
Yeah, the garlic is everywhere. I actually live next to Clifty Falls State Park. There's a nature center run by DNR and volunteers as well as plenty of trail area. The main attraction in the park is the steeeeep drop the streams leading to the Ohio have to make down to the Ohio River. This is the main part of the park, but on the eastern end you can, although there are no marked trails, get a feel for what a high, woodland forrest area looks like in Indiana. One of my prominent thoughts yesterday was how nature and animals are connected and grow each other. "Animals like deer worship berries, nuts, and edible greens they can stoop down and reach, while humans, at least in these parts, worship the god of trees / sun (we are tree people, no?) and the hunt / moon as well". Light powers it all and works on so many levels of energy from humans down to tree moss. One thing I was going to ask about was this crazy looking mushroom spawn. In a deer clearing on the hills I noticed a single tree that had these tiny, white toadstool mushrooms ALL OVER the trunk. Most of the other vegetation around that tree had, long ago, been cleared out or something. I was reminded of what Paul Stamets says about mushrooms and their programmed similarity to string theory, because these mushrooms singularity rule seemed to help this tree alone... instead of promoting a healthy ecosystem these mushrooms only let sunlight reach this particular tree and other infected trees in the area where the spore spread. Does anyone know what this fungi is? Also, I noticed that wild strawberries seem even more evasive than the onion plants, but they are still a ways from bearing fruit. Are these berries edible? One final thing I noticed is the abundant ammount of raspberry / blackberry plants! These got me very excited. =) Even if someone can talk about nature doesn't mean they are really interested in getting out and hiking. Basically, the few friends I have are Hanover College Philosophy majors who like to talk about buddha nature and reality but see actually getting out into the woods as a "duty" or "doing their time" rather than a pure enjoyment. I'm sure I will, in good time, come across more people like myself spending time in nature.... For now, I have a few (peterson and others) guides coming in the mail that I think will be very helpful... I can write down dates I first see certain plants coming into bloom and when I start seeing them die off. anyways, thanks for the welcome naturegirl =) /ramble
...See More
Wild edible plants
Q
Comments (4)
Yes, prickly pear is edible and so are its fruits. Below is a link to an article about all its wonders. I never ate it. Sometimes I imagine being lost in the wilderness dying of starvation and walking by (or stepping on) wild plants that could save my life and knowing nothing about them. Sad,eh? Here is a link that might be useful: Prickly pear cactus
...See More
edible plant family book
Q
Comments (2)
I believe you'll be amazed at the number of plant families which have been documented. And the sad fact is that new families are being created every week either as new entities or split off from existing families. Taxonomic botany has become a first class nightmare. Most economically and horticulturally significant plants have been hybridised to such a degree that precise identification has become impossible. Best of luck with your project!!!
...See More
strange wild edibles
Q
Comments (2)
I have a book on edible garden weeds in Ontario. The book has recipes and the aim is to try them all this summer. So far I have eaten sow thistles(they are much like spinach (cooked) but a little bitter)and Comfrey leaves and stems (fairly bland but ok). Burdock roots (Gobo)and cattail /bulrushes are next. Josie23 - The half grown milk weed pods are edible according to my book. They're on for later this summer.
...See More
Related Professionals
Birmingham Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Lowell Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Richmond Heights Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Hartford Landscape Contractors · Pelham Landscape Contractors · Concord Landscape Contractors · Downey Landscape Contractors · East Lake-Orient Park Landscape Contractors · Forest Hills Landscape Contractors · Kearny Landscape Contractors · La Mirada Landscape Contractors · North Lauderdale Landscape Contractors · Soddy Daisy Landscape Contractors · West Coon Rapids Landscape Contractors · White Center Window Contractors

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Edible Plants That Double as Ornamentals

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Try growing these tasty plants with your ornamentals for an attractive garden and fresher meals

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Wild Lupine Dresses Up Rocky Gardens

By Pollination Press LLC

Spiky blue flowers and a high tolerance for poor soil make this plant ideal for tough sites

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Easy Edibles for First-Time Gardeners

By Marianne Lipanovich

Focus on these beginner-friendly vegetables, herbs, beans and salad greens to start a home farm with little fuss

EDIBLE GARDENS 7 Edible, Pretty Wonders of the Plant World

By CYAN Horticulture

It's OK to like them just for their looks, but these flowers, trees and greens have a tasty side too

EDIBLE GARDENS A Formerly Weedy Lot Now Brims With Edibles and Honeybees

By Mitchell Parker

Photographers transform their barren backyard into an oasis filled with fruit, vegetables, honey, eggs and more

BULBS Great Design Plant: Wild Hyacinth for a Bolt of Blue

By Paintbox Garden

Get knockout spring blooms on spiky stems by planting these bulbs before the ground freezes

FARM YOUR YARD 14 Crazy Places to Grow Edibles

By Annie Thornton

Some Houzzers may lack ground for gardening, but they’re never short on imagination

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Edible Flowers Offer a Sweet Taste from the Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Flowers that beautify the landscape can also pretty up the plate or sweeten a spread

FRONT YARD IDEAS 10 Ideas for a Front-Yard Edible Garden Your Neighbors Will Love

By Laura Gaskill

Choosing attractive, well-mannered plants and sharing the bounty will go a long way toward keeping the peace

GARDENING GUIDES How to Plan Your Edible Garden

By Abundant City

Get organized before you plant to ensure that your fruits and vegetables have a chance to thrive

Sponsored

More Discussions

mosquito strategy help

7

I used AI to make one of my dream roses.

21

Blushing Drift rose, can anyone share their experience?

0

Zinnias? A little help?

1

Lyonothamnus - Plant out now, or in spring?

2