Change of Venue here - Page 2

My grandma and dad used to fix boiled polk. I helped pick tons of it. I never did like it though. Feels like slime going down. I never knew it ws toxic. I sure a lot of people ate it and no problems. I think I remember something about boiling it twice but Im not sure. There is another weed my grandma used to fix called "Dockweed". She boiled it too. Watercress is another. How about sasfrass tea? I just recently heard that was toxic too!!!! Is there nothing that wont kill you these days???

Scout....

Are you sure about watercress? Is there a part of the plant that is toxic? I used to eat this crunchy thing called watercress once in a while. And Okie, what is lambsquarter?nbsp

My guess would be that many of these plants being talked about are alkaloid toxins....but I would have to know the real name to find out more.

I have a nice head start on my onions and lettuce, and have managed to keep my tomato seedlings safe through three freezing evenings.

I'll pass on the wild stuff tho.

We planted tomatoes/ squash/ beans/ peppers and a couple of other things...  can't wait till we get to start harvesting!!  Nothing better than a fresh home salad!!!! 

I am aware of the wild things people cook and eat - never been that brave!!  Just knowing how my luck lands I'd pick the wrong plant or part and end up in a world of hurt!!!!

Everyone here has been out hunting the Morels (mushrooms) .

They don't last long depending on the climate.

I just meant that watercress was another wild edible...not that it was toxic. Watercress is found in streams. Im from Okla so all of the plants I mentioned were found there. Ever chewed on sheepshour? Looks sort of like big clover. We also used to have a natural grape we called possum grapes. Makes the best jelly ever.......mmmm. 

Scout,

I generally have not chewed on green things. I always felt that if I was supposed to eat green things, God would have made me a rabbit.nbsp

Glad to know watercress is not toxic. I probably have not had it for years, but I did like it.

The world is a garden if you know whats what! At least that stuff isnt processed. I think the processing is whats killing us all. Well..... that and the pussification of America. What if some of the toxicity of certain plants is beneficial to humans? The shit they put in twinkies is probably 100 times more harmful!

Hi Hodie,

Pokeweed and locoweed are not of the same genus. Pokeweed contains phytolaccatoxin and phytolaccigenin which are alkaloids, and locoweed contains neurotxins.

Several years ago I had pulled a pokeweed and tossed it on the burn pile. One of my GSDs began gnawing on the long tap root. At that time I didn't know what the plant was and had no idea of its toxicity. In fact - and I now shudder at the memory - I had let the plants grow on the property because they do have very pretty blossoms in Spring and then produce interesting looking berries. Birds love them but unfortunately, when they come out of the bird they make some nasty purple stains on siding, decks, tiled walks and such.

Anyway, I did take the root away from the dog, don't know how much he actually ingested, but not an hour later I had a very, very sick dog. Vomiting, shivering, panting, very sick. He survived but this experience set me on a quest to exterminate pokeweed from our surroundings.

Since it apparently tastes like spinach why not just eat spinach?

Have the storms settled down some out your way?

I like that thinking!!!  Kinda like all the different exotic meats I've heard - tastes like chicken!!!  Then why not eat chicken???