Saturday, April 3, 2010

Wild Edibles in the Yard

Today I decided to identify the native plants in the yard that are either are edible or produce something edible. Here is what I've found so far:

Oregon Grape - a sour grape that contains a natural pectin and is good for jams or jellies. The roots of this plant are yellow like the young berries and can be used to make a natural dye for fabric.

















Salal - produces sweet berries that can be used for jams or jellies. When the berries ripen they must be picked quickly for they do not last. I haven't tasted these berries yet.

















Salmonberry - orange yellow or orange red berry usually sweet and delicious. First ripening berry in the yard and is always yummy fresh and can be used in jams or jellies.

















Red Huckleberry - super tart berry that is loved by my daughter.

















We do have this beautiful nurse stump that is mother to this large Red Huckleberry bush and a Salal patch.


4 comments:

  1. How wonderful - My grandmother was an herbalist. It is wonderful to know what plants are edible and some of their uses. G

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  2. That salmon berry flower is beautiful. I've never heard of salmon berry before.

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  3. Awesome. We are going to plant some Salal and Huckleberries this year I think. I grew up eating Huckleberries and Salmon berries as a kid, can't wait to grow some more!

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    1. I'm looking forward to the first Salmon berries ripening in the early summer. Good luck with your Salal and Huckleberries!

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