Page 161 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Mormon Tea, Ephedra

viridis (EPHEDRACEAE)

MORMON TEA or Green Ephedra grows 3-5 ft. (1-1.5m)
tall and just about as wide. Its twigs emerge in an alter-
nate or whorled pattern from joined woody stems. Mor-
Stan Shebs, CC-BY-SA-3.0
mon tea thrives in warm, semi-arid regions, occurring
on rocky slopes, mesas, and alluvial fans.

CONE AND SEED: Mormon tea reproduces through
spores contained in cone-like structures. Plants have
either male cones or female cones, which cluster at the
nodes in groups of 2 or more. In late spring, male plants
produce floral parts with protruding stamens and yel- Jim Mor efield, C C B Y - S Andrey Zharkikh, CC-BY-2.0
Matt Lavin, CC-BY-SA-2.0A 2.0
low pollen. Female cones are brownish-green.
eaten raw or chewed on for water in survival situa-
LEAF: In April-May, the minute scale-like leaves grow in tions. Seeds are bitter but edible and can be ground
opposite pairs along the stem nodes. Each leaf is 0.08- into flour. Mormon tea is available for harvesting
0.2 inches (0.2-0.5cm) long with a brownish base. year-round.
EDIBLE PARTS: twigs, seeds MORMON TEA: Place a handful of Mormon tea twigs
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Mormon tea is a diuretic and an in a teapot and fill with boiling water. Cover and steep
astringent. for 20 min. If desired, flavor with honey and lemon.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Stems can be used for POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKE: Do not confuse Mormon
tea. Steep them fresh, dried, or roasted, and enjoy a fla- tea with other Ephedra species, especially Ephedra
vor similar to a mild green tea. Young stems can also be sinica, which contains the alkaloid ephedrine.

Nannyberry, Viburnum

lentago (ADOXACEAE)

NANNYBERRY, Sheepberry or Sweet Viburnum is a
large deciduous shrub with very sweet, late-ripening
fruit. It grows up to 20 ft. (6m), has a short, compact
Vojtěch Zavadil, CC-BY-SA-3.0
trunk, and a robust crown of bowing branches. Young
trees bear reddish bark, which becomes scaly and char-
coal-hued with age. They thrive in moist soils and are
found around swamps, lakeshores, wet meadows, and
woodland edges.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Creamy-white blossoms come to
life in May-June. Each round-headed cluster is about 4
inches (10cm) wide. Flowers are 5-lobed and odorless,
for winter. For an earlier harvest, wait until the fruits
with showy stamens. Elliptical yellow fruits ripen to blue-
are fully ripe and the autumn leaves are falling. Ber-
black by the fall. These “berries”, which droop from wiry
ries can be eaten raw or cooked; they are sweet and
reddish stalks, are 0.3-0.5 inches (0.8-1.3cm) across and
juicy with a slightly earthy flavor.
contain a single flattened stone.
NANNYBERRY MAPLE BUTTER: In a pot, let 5 cups
LEAF: The lustrous green foliage is simple and ovate,
nannyberries simmer for 40-45 min. on low heat,
with winged leafstalks. Leaf blades are 2.5 inches (6cm)
while mashing them thoroughly. Pass the puree
long and opposite, and have finely toothed edges. In au-
through a strainer. Add ½ cup maple syrup to the
tumn, foliage turns claret-red.
mixture and blend until smooth. Cook over the fire,
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit stirring occasionally until the butter thickens. Add
KEY MEDICINAL USES: This plant has diuretic and anti- cinnamon.
spasmodic properties. POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKE: Buckthorn, Rhamnus ca-
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Nannyberries are great thartica
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