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You'd be surprised what you find in your yard that can be considered "wild edibles" since you didn't plant them there yourself. One of my favorite books is "Weeds" http://www.amazon.com/Weeds-South-Wo.../dp/0820330469
It has very detailed descriptions, good pics of mature plants and cotyledons. It's a good way to familiarize yourself with identification without even having to leave home. You can practice between filing on blades ;)
You should be able to find a similar book for your area. This one was published by UGA Press, I think.
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Well, I clicked your link and right on the bottom of the page was "Weeds of the Midwest" and "Weeds of the Norhteast" (the latter being me) so I guess I'll have to pick that up soon. I've been looking for a book like that and never though about searching for weeds... lol
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Anything that doesn't grow in a place where we plant it is considered a "weed" whether it's clover, oxalis, or a pecan tree. You might also try any of the wildflower books that fit your region. Normally none of those books will have any edibility info, but that is of little concern if you can't identify the plant. It's too easy to make a plant fit a description in a field guide with sketches, which I found made me antsy to try to eat things I could not properly identify. That's dangerous if you lack self control!!
Thankfully, I got hold of Sam Thayer's book about the same time and I learned to control my "appetite" by forcing myself to learn the plant FIRST, and later worrying about how to cook it (or not lol)
In that respect, most "forests" are just "weed plots". You'll find many of those edible "weeds" in the same places in the woods as in your yard, whether it's a shady corner, a sandy walkway, or a wet depression. You can learn a lot about plants without ever leaving home.
Good luck on your quest. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
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