Page 129 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense and

A. caudatum (ARISTOLOCHIACEAE)

WILD GINGER, Snakeroot or Canadian Wild Ginger (A.
canadense) is native to rich, moist, rocky soils. It spreads
by rhizomes with foliage and flowers growing along the
A. canadense
length of the rhizomes. Dense colonies form carpets of
heart-shaped leaves growing on 6-12 inches (15-30cm)
tall, fuzzy stems.
FLOWER: In April-June, solitary, bell-shaped flowers
bloom on short, leafless stalks. Flowers measure 2 inch-
es (5cm) across. 3 sepals are light brown and fused at
the hairy base. A. caudatum A. canadense
LEAF: Leaf pairs grow on stalks along branching rhi- tolochic acid is not very soluble in water, thus tea is a
zomes. Dark green, almost circular, heart-shaped basal good way to enjoy this plant.
leaves have many deep veins and grow 3-6 inches (7.6-
WILD GINGER ROOT CANDY: Soften roots in boiling
15cm) long and wide.
water for 1h. Dissolve 2 cups sugar in 1 cup water on
EDIBLE PARTS: flowers and roots medium heat. Once soft, add the Wild Ginger Root to
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Wild ginger is used as a tea for simmer 30 min. Remove root, dry, and enjoy as a can-
digestion, regulating blood sugar, infections, and gingi- dy. The leftover syrup can be saved and used.
vitis. WARNING: Fresh, raw leaves are toxic and cause
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: It can be harvested year- skin irritation. Considered safe in small doses, Wild
round, but best in early spring-fall. Harvest by carefully Ginger has aristolochic acid, which can cause kid-
digging up a length of the rhizomes that contain a few ney problems, and even renal failure in high enough
plants. Replant the plants with the bulbs. Flowers and amounts. Wild Ginger also stimulates menses and
roots can be eaten in small amounts raw or cooked. Aris- can cause miscarriages in high doses.

Wild Leek/Ramps, Allium
tricoccum (AMARYLLIDACEAE)

WILD LEEK/ RAMP, Wood Leeks, or Rampion Bell-
flower are monocots found growing in rich, moist soils
of shady, deciduous forests. They are easily identified
by their onion smell and their onion-like, white flower
clusters that bloom after leaves die off.

FLOWER: Solitary flower stalks, with a 1-1.5 inch (2.5-
4cm) diameter spherical cluster of 30-50 white flowers,
radiate out from a central point at the apex of the stem.
Flowering stems grow from the bulb as leaves die off
in May. Individual flowers have 6 rays, consisting of 3
shorter sepals and 3 longer petals, measuring 0.25 inch-
tive issues, worms, and lipid and cholesterol control.
es (0. cm) across. Seed heads ripen and disperse glossy,
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Harvest greens pri-
black, spherical seeds from October through November.
or to flowering, as leaves wither away upon flower-
LEAF: From March through May, 2 to 3 elliptical, 8-12
ing. Eat leaves pickled or sautéed as a green. Focus
inch (20-24cm) long and 1-3 inch (2.5-7.5cm) wide, sim-
on harvesting only leaves while leaving the bulbs to
ple, green basal leaves grow from a single bulb. Leaves
reproduce, as it takes up to 5 years to reach repro-
have parallel veins and smell like onions. Leaf stalks and
ductive maturity. Also, be conscious to leave at least a
sheaths are reddish-purple.
leaf for the plant to.
EDIBLE PARTS: whole plant (raw, pickled, and cooked)
STEAMED WILD LEEKS: Steam a handful of leaves
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Wild Leeks are used for diges- for 3 min. Drizzle with olive oil, season, enjoy.
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