The "poisonous plant fable" is a term that wild foods expert Samuel Thayer uses to describe the fear (of the unknown) spread among the general public about foraging. It's the kind of propaganda that sensationalized the deaths of people like Chris McCandless and Euell Gibbons. Not that you can't hurt yourself if you're not careful, but the thought is that plants look so much alike that even an experienced forager could pick the wrong one by mistake. That's like saying you could mistake your own family member in a crowd. Well, from the front at least!
Anyway, I only know a puny amount about wild food, but it really interests me. A true hunter and gatherer would have to devote lots and LOTS of time to reap a significant harvest, but I like knowing that it's at least a healthy supplement to my modern life of dependence. Although...I tend to get a little self-righteous about the things I'm passionate about. ;)
it's kind of fun to just be walking along with somebody and then reach down, pluck a plant & pop it in your mouth..then watch their reaction.
ReplyDelete