By: Tom Kearney | Apr 23, 2011 | #
Earth Day Foraging
This morning I set out to meet up with a group of like-minded forage-curious Brooklynites at Grand Army Plaza. The get together was organized by Green Edge Collaborative. Our guide was Leda Meredith, author, ethnobotanist, educator, homesteader and all around swell lady. It was great having Leda as our guide not only because of her encyclopedic knowledge of the species but because she is so actively committed to using seasonally available plants in her own life. I liked hearing about the medicinal and psychoactive effects of the various plants. Have a look at some of our finds. And Happy Earth Day!
Magnolia (the flowers are edible as are the flowers of all stone fruit trees)
Chickweed (salad material)
Garlic-Mustard (smells like it sounds—used like an herb)
Echinacea (the stuff people turn to when they’re sick. But actually should be used as a preventative)
Field Garlic
Pine (edible as in a tea. The resins can also be used for cleaning)