My Peterson Guide Arrived

[Skysoldier]

Got my "Wild Edible Plants" guide yesterday afternoon, and I've already found out that what I've been calling "milkweed" for umpteen years is NOT milkweed. I think it's "sow thistle" but I'm not sure just yet. I do know what it's not, however. I like the guide, especially the format. It's easy to follow, even though the majority of pictures are drawings. I like pictures.:tongue_smilie:

[pocomoonskyeyes]

If you are talking about what I think you are... I grew up calling Sow thistle Milkweed too.

[crashdive123]

Good deal SS. I use my Petersos Field Guides almost daily. My wild edibles one has a rubberband around it because the pages started to separate. When I joined this forum I knew zero about wild edibles. Now, thanks to everybody here and some of my own research I know just a little bit more than zero. It certainly is/will be a continuing process.

[Rick]

Pictures = good
Learning = gooder
Leaning what to eat = goodest

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

I have used petersons field guides for many years and I recomend them to everybody. easy to use and accurate they are (if not the best) exelent ...

[wareagle69]

its funny what people have grown up calling plants, around here allot of folks mistake joe pye weed (composite or daisy family) for common milkweed (milkweed family)
but have fun with it and as always note every single thing about the plant, even the roots, if there is enough of the plant around, details, is the best
good luck

[pocomoonskyeyes]

OK just to make sure we are on the same "sheet of paper" so to speak. These are some pics I took this morning of Milkweed and what I had been calling sow thistle is actually Bull thistle!! First are pics of Milkweed then the Bull Thistle

This is Milkweed seed pods with insects in the splitting pod---

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt61/pocomoonskyeyes/Edible%20plants/Asclepiaspodswithinsects.jpg

This is the Milkweed plant without the seed pods---

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt61/pocomoonskyeyes/Edible%20plants/Milkweed.jpg

This is a couple of shots of Bull Thistle---

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt61/pocomoonskyeyes/Edible%20plants/Sowthistle1.jpg

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt61/pocomoonskyeyes/Edible%20plants/Sowthistle2.jpg

I hope this helps, if not you then someone else who reads this thread.

[crashdive123]

I know that there are more than 100 species of Milkweed. Here's what it looks like in my backyard.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Wild%20Edibles/Milkweed005.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Wild%20Edibles/Milkweed007.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Wild%20Edibles/Milkweed003.jpg

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Uh Crash, I'm not familiar with that one, but if that is Asclepias tuberosa it is poisonous. The specie I showed Asclepias syriaca is edible, and has medicinal properties as well.

[crashdive123]

I suppose that's why scientific names are so important (Canid stresses that a lot). While the pictures I posted are of the Asclepias genus, they are the curassaviaca species. We plant them to attract Monarch butterflies. You are correct though - while the pictures I posted are Milkweed, they are not edible - the acid in the milky sap is what gives the Monarch its defense mechanism.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Yeah that is something I believe in as well,Especially when talking about edible or medicinal plants. I still like using the example of bachelors button (flower) Ask 50 different people you will get 50 different plants,in different Families even.

[your_comforting_company]

I would like to add here that anyone foraging should also try to pick up Samuel Thayers book "The Foragers Harvest" as it speaks in detail about each plant covered. There aren't many plants included, but the author knows each one intimately.
Using the peterson guides, I have identified a few plants that are in Thayers book, even tried a few. The best part of Thayers guide is that he talks about preparation and dangers of each plant and includes his own personal experiences. It's not regurgitations of books he read 50 years ago. He's actually spent many years researching, identifiying, and eating each plant that he includes.
If I had one beef about any of these books, It would be the word "bitter" used when discussing greens. Do people really regard such greens as mustard bitter? I call it spicy and delicious and prefer NOT to cook them. Collards and turnips aren't bitter either, not to me. I enjoy the flavor and just add a little 'wild pepper' sauce to give it kick, especially when served with game and tubers. I always eat my veggies.
After reading in several guides about greens, I have decided to disregard what's considered palatable by others, and any comments about flavor they discuss. The rest of the information is pertinent, but flavors and personal taste vary wildly.
I too have always called various thistles and dandelions "milkweed" though now I know better. I've been seeing the actual milkweed all my life and never knew what it was. Thanks for posting the pics, that helps clarify a lot. I have, since acquiring the guides, spotted some milkweed but haven't cross referenced it in enough books to be willing to try it yet. Looks too similar to dogbane.
If anyone has pictures of dogbane, can we get a post of that for reference to keep with this thread?