Page 173 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Trailing Arbutus, Epigaea

repens (ERICACEAE)

TRAILING ARBUTUS or Mayflower is an evergreen
shrub that grows in open woodlands and clearings, par-
ticularly under pine trees and rocky slopes. It only grows
Doug McGrady, CC BY 2.0
up to 4 inches (10cm) high, but can form a thick carpet
with a 2-ft. (60cm) spread in ideal conditions.
FLOWER: Up to 8 tubular-shaped flowers are clustered
above the leaves, each ½ inch (1cm) long. The color
ranges from white to pink. The flowers are held by hairy
sepals that are as long as the petals. Fruit are ¼ inch
(6mm) in diameter, covered in glandular hairs and are Fritzflohrr e ynolds, C C-B Y - S
Matt Lavin, CC-BY-SA-2.0A-3.0
white and fleshy inside. Trailing Arbutus flowers from
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Leaves can be picked
late April to May, hence the name Mayflower.
at any time of the year; however, young fresh leaves
LEAF: Thick, egg-shaped, leathery leaves are about 1-4
harvested in spring are best. Flowers can be picked
inches (2.5-10cm) long and half as wide. Trailing Arbu-
in April and May.
tus is easily recognizable by the stiff, long, rusty colored
TRAILING ARBUTUS VINAIGRETTE RECIPE: In-
hairs growing on the leaves, stems and sepals; the abun-
gredients: ¼ cup leaves and flowers, ¼ cup of vine-
dance of these hairs decreases with the age of the plant.
gar, ¾ cup of olive oil, salt and pepper. Place all the
EDIBLE PARTS: leaves and flowers
ingredients in a jar and shake. Leave in the fridge
KEY MEDICINAL USES: In small doses, the leaves are overnight. Either strain the vinaigrette the next day
commonly used to treat kidney stones, bladder infec- for a light taste, or leave for a week for a stronger
tions and urinary problems. flavor.

Wax Myrtle, Morella
cerifera (MYRICACEAE)

WAX MYRTLE is an evergreen shrub famous for its
waxy fruits, which are harvested for candle-making.
Growing 10-30 ft. (3-9m) high, its numerous pale-grey
Forest & Kim Starr, CC-BY-3.0
stems are often hairy and dotted with glands. Wax myr-
tles are common along coastal plains and swamps.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Male shrubs produce green-
ish-pink catkins, about 0.5-0.7 inches (1.3-1.7cm) long.
Catkins on female shrubs measure 0.5-1.2 inches (1.3-
3cm), give way to pale blue, 0.12 inches (0.3 cm) wide,
round berry-like nutlets in fall and winter. Forest and Kim Starr, CC-BY-3.0
LEAF: Narrow leaf blades are oblanceolate, ranging green to bluish-white. Berries are dried and ground
from 1.5-4 inches (4-10cm) long. Edges may be toothed in a pepper mill as a seasoning for meat. They are
towards the tip, or entire. also fermented into wine.

EDIBLE PARTS: leaves and fruits WAX MYRTLE BERRY DRY RUB: Ingredients: 4 tbsp.
KEY MEDICINAL USES: This plant has astringent, an- berries; 2 tbsp. each of mustard seeds, coriander
ti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. seeds, salt, brown sugar, and ground black pepper; 2
sprigs minced rosemary. Pulverize berries and seeds
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Dried leaves can be
brewed into tea or used like bay leaves to season soups with mortar and pestle. Add remaining ingredients
and stews. They can be harvested year-round but are and mix well.
most flavorful in summer. Berries ripen evenly from WARNING: Consumed in large quantities, may cause
August to October and persist into winter. They are nausea, vomiting, and liver damage. Some reports in-
ready to be picked once they have turned from light dicate carcinogenic activity in root bark and wax.
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