Eating Weeds – Everything You Need to Know!

At eattheplanet.org we have been eating weeds for a long time. Foraging for wild edibles can be a safe and fun way to strengthen our relationship with the natural world and each other. Eating weeds, in particular, is a great place for a novice forager to begin since weeds are abundant and somewhat familiar. Weeds […]

The History of Wild Strawberries

A real treat to discover whilst out exploring the wilderness or hiking woodland trails, wild strawberries (Fragaria) can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. With around 20 different species naturalized to different countries and continents. The two most common strawberry species within the US are the Virginia Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and the Woodland (European) Strawberry […]

Wild Strawberries and Mock Strawberries (How to Tell the Difference)

Wild strawberries (Fragaria) glow like ruby red jewels at the edges of woodlands, hay fields and meadows in North America. Ripening in the first few weeks of full summer sunshine, they’re a true treat to find whilst out hiking local trails and wandering across mountain slopes. As with any type of foraging, it’s important to be cautious […]

The Native Grape Vines of North America

Long before the masses of European grape varieties like Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet (Vitis vinifera) set root in American vineyards, North America was coated with its own unique collection of grapevine species. Once named ‘Vinland’ by very early Norse European explorers, who discovered masses of vines creeping along the edges of forest clearings. American […]

The Wild History of Grapes in North America

The link between humans and wild grapes in North America is richly interesting. As a plant, their characteristics differ to the popular wine grape varieties grown within Europe. But they have a lot to offer, they’re edible, and are already widely used within a few popular products. For example Concord jelly, often used in the […]

Are Wild Grapes Edible? Exploring The Fruit of Wild Grape Vines

Grapes are incredibly well known as a widely cultivated fruit. Grown in vineyards and harvested to make delicious wines and juices; and also eaten by the bunch as ‘table grapes’, in seedless or even unique cotton candy-flavored varieties! But what about their wild counterparts? How are they different from supermarket and vineyard grapes? And importantly, […]

Native Apple Trees of North America

Standing proud at the edge of woodlands, disguised in the hedgerows of old farmed fields or perched along a hiking trail. Native North American apple trees are a fantastic fruit to stumble across whilst out exploring. These native wild apples are edible and full of flavor, although some can be particularly bitter! You can collect […]

The Wild Origin of the Humble Apple

The history of our humble orchard apple (Malus domestica) is a wild and wonderful one. Like the majority of our farmed fruits and vegetables, the simple supermarket apple began life in the wild, as a fruit known as the crabapple (Malus). Grown over millennia, across the temperate Northern hemisphere, we now have over 7000 known […]

Are Crabapples Edible? Exploring The Fruit of the Crabapple Tree

Crabapples or crab apples (Malus), are often considered a foragers favorite. A common misconception, and old wives tale, is that crab apples are toxic or unsafe to eat. But this is generally an assumption based on a few species and varieties which have bitter flavoring, and the popularity of the already well known orchard apples. […]

The Story of Wild lettuce (Lactuca.)

Wild Lettuce (Lactuca.) refers to a large genus of plants that belong to the daisy family. They include the incredibly well known garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa), of which we have cultivated a large number of commercial varieties. We’re likely all greatly familiar with these leafy vegetables, with varieties such as iceberg lettuce and romaine lettuce […]

Common Cattail | Highly Familiar and Amazingly Versatile

Common cattail (Typha latifolia) is a species of plant you will likely be very familiar with. As its name suggests, it’s a very common find, especially along the margins of ponds, wetlands and lakes where it resides. It’s a species that has dominated habitats around the World for centuries, and has developed a unique collection […]

The Story of the American Chestnut

The American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata) was once a common find within it’s range of habitat across the Northeastern states. Whilst exploring its native range, one in four trees that you would have found would have been an American chestnut. It has an extensive history, once being a tree of huge importance, it was frequently […]

The Story of the American Cranberrybush

The American Cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum) is a deciduous shrub that produces small edible, ruby red berries in the fall. Whilst the fruits greatly resemble cranberries, they are in fact of a completely different species. Both the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and American cranberrybush share a native range. However they are not as closely related as […]

Mugwort, an Age-Old Herb that Uncovers Our Herbal History

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), has a long and prominent history throughout many cultures as a herb of healing, spiritual protection and culinary merit. A fairly inconspicuously named plant, mugwort has slowly faded from our medicinal radars, whilst other modern and effective medicines have raced ahead. It however holds great importance as a plant that was part […]

Common Reed (Phragmites), an Age Old Sweet Treat

Common Reed (Phragmites australis subsp. americanus), is a subspecies of tall, perennial wetland grass that is native to the US. A subject of much scientific debate, it was once thought to be an introduced species from European colonisers. But studies have known shown this subspecies has been established in the US for thousands of years. […]

Wild Parsnip, Flagrant Foilage but a Tasty Taproot

Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), is a fairly well known biennial garden vegetable and a member of the carrot and parsley family ‘Apiaceae’. Both the wild and garden varieties share the same taxon, meaning they are able to cross pollinate.  It was once a native of Europe and Asia, but spread throughout many parts of the […]

Eastern Prickly Pear, Hardy Spines Hiding a Sweet Treat

Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa), is a species of cacti that is a common occurrence in sandy and dry soils in the midwest and eastern states. You may also see it being referred to as devil’s-tongue or Indian fig, the latter hinting at its value as a wild edible. As a cactus it can be […]

Evening Primrose, a Nutritious and Medicinal Garden Favorite

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis), is a common weed, or wildflower, found throughout the northeastern and midwestern states. Other curious names include sundrop, King’s cure all and evening star, hinting at its beauty and medicinal history. It is native to North America, but was likely introduced to Europe in the 1600’s, as European settlers exported goods […]

Waterlily, a Decorative and Nutritious Wild Edible

Waterlily (Nymphaea spp.), a beautiful, staple feature in many garden ponds. But did you know the ornate water lily is also a wild edible of the midwest? Found throughout the world, a number of waterlily species are endemic to North America and can be found often in the wild. You may come across a variety […]

Yellow Pond Lily, Cheerful Blooms and Popcorn like Snacks

Yellow pond lily (Nuphar spp.), is the name given to a number of species within the Nymphaeaceae family. With the true number of  species currently unknown, you will usually find them within temperate regions, particularly in far northern area with a cooler climate. You can find a number of yellow pond lilies growing natively within […]