Page 148 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Crowberry, Empetrum

nigrum (ERICACEAE)

CROWBERRY is a creeping, evergreen dwarf shrub
that frequently forms dense mats. Thriving in either
moist or dry acidic soils, it occurs in bogs, open tundra,
moorlands, and forests. Crowberry plants grow 4-20
inches (10-50cm) tall.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Minute urn-shaped flowers ap-
pear in May and June. They may be pink, purple, or ma-
genta. Each flower is 0.16–0.24 inches (0.4-0.6cm) long,
and formed of 3 petals and 3 sepals. Fruits are round
drupes and ripen to inky purple in autumn, containing Matt Lavin, CC-BY-SA-2.0
6-9 seeds.
and mellow in flavor, berries can be enjoyed raw,
LEAF: Leaves are linear to elliptic and stalkless, resem-
processed into jellies and jams, brewed in teas, or
bling the needles of spruce trees. They grow in an alter-
fermented into wine.
nate pattern. Their color can vary from dark or bright
AKUTAQ: Chop fresh salmon into pieces and place
green to yellow.
into a pot. Fill with water just until fish is submerged.
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit
Bring to a boil, then lower heat to slow simmer for 20
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Fruit has anti-inflammatory, an- min. or until cooked. Let fish cool to room tempera-
tibacterial, and antifungal properties. ture. Take off any skin or bones and squeeze out any
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: They ripen in July-No- water. Mash up the fish. Add 2 large scoops of lard
vember, often last into the winter, and have a long pick- and a splash of vegetable oil. Whip until creamy. Add
ing season. Some plant varieties produce their fruits sugar or maple syrup to sweeten. Add in a nice big
abundantly, while others yield only a few berries. Juicy handful of crowberries.

Desert Lavender, Hyptis
emoryi (LAMIACEAE)

DESERT LAVENDER is found in arid environments and
can grow from 3-10 ft. (1-3m) tall, with a rounded or
upright columnar crown. It thrives in dry, sandy regions
Stan Shebs, CC-BY-SA-3.0
with full sun or partial shade.
FLOWER: It has light purple or bluish hue and a tangy
lavender-like fragrance. Flowers are up to 1 inch (2.5cm)
across and occur in clusters. While appearing through-
out the year, flowers are most abundant in the spring.
LEAF: Leaves are grey-green and oval-shaped with
pointed tips and toothed edges. Their coating of fine Stan Shebs, CC-BY-SA-3.0
hair makes leaves soft to the touch. Growing up to 1 inch stalk open.
(2.5cm) long, they remain on the plant throughout the
DESERT LAVENDER HERBAL TEA: Heat water to a
year.
boil and then let it cool for 10 min. This will draw
EDIBLE PARTS: leaves (infusion) out the fragrance and healing properties of your des-
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Betulinic acid, which can be de- ert lavender leaves. Pour water over 2 tbsp. of fresh
rived from desert lavender, has been studied for its use or dried leaves. Let steep for 3-5 min. Sweeten with
as a treatment against chronic pain. honey or agave nectar.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Leaves can be dried or POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Silverleaf Nightshade,
used fresh and made into slightly minty infusions. The Solanum elaeagnifolium – its leaves are much longer,
best time to pick them is when the lowest flowers on the growing up to 6 inches (15cm), with waved edges.

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