Page 197 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Plum (American), Prunus

americana (ROSACEAE)

AMERICAN PLUM grows to a height of 26 ft. (11m),
often forming thickets. Of the 15-17 species of North
American plums, the American plum is the most wide-
ly distributed. Related species are Beechwood Plum, P.
maritima, Black Plum, P. nigra, and Chickasaw Plum, P.
angustifolia.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Fragrant white clusters of 2-5
flowers emerge before leaves in early spring. Each flow-
er is about 1 inch (2.5cm) across with 5 rounded petals.
The brilliant red or orange fruits are 1 inch (2.5cm) in
diameter and nearly round. They ripen in August-Sep-
stored in the refrigerator will keep for 1-2 weeks.
tember.
WILD PLUM COMPOTE: Ingredients: 3 cups plums,
LEAF: 2.4-5 inches (6-10cm) long leaves have dou-
¼ cup sugar, ¾ cup, water, 1 tsp. cinnamon, ¼ tsp.
ble-toothed edges and pale undersides.
cloves. Remove pits. Place plums in a saucepan with
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit water, sugar, and spices. Cook for 3-10 min., stirring
KEY MEDICINAL USES: This plant has astringent, dis- until the sugar is dissolved. When the skins of the
infectant, and diuretic properties. plums split, the compote is ready.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Plums are sweet, tart, and WARNING: All parts of this tree contain hydrogen
juicy. They can be savored fresh, dried into prunes, or cyanide. The quantity of toxins in the fruit’s flesh is
cooked into jellies, jams, and pies. Add pectin when mak- normally too low to be dangerous. However, if the
ing jelly. Pick plums from the tree as they ripen to bright flesh is bitter, do not eat. Do not consume pits or
red or orange between August and September. Plums leaves.

Quaking Aspen, Populus
tremuloides (SALICACEAE)

QUAKING ASPEN is a deciduous tree, growing to 40 ft.
(12m). Its smooth thin bark is white when young, be-
coming greenish and slightly furrowed with age.
Howard F. Schwartz, CC-BY-SA-3.0
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Pendulous male and female cat-
kins develop on separate trees between March and April
before the leaves unfurl. The grey to reddish male cat-
kins are 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6cm) long. Female seed-bear-
ing catkins are green and 4 inches (10cm) long at ma-
turity. They produce up to 100 silvery-tufted capsules,
each containing 6-8 seeds. Matt Lavin, CC-BY-SA-2.0 Matt Lavin, CC-BY-SA-2.0
LEAF: Small glossy leaves are simple, alternate, and 1.5- boiled into syrup. Catkins, though bitter-tasting, can
3 inches (4-8cm) long, with finely serrated edges and be eaten raw or cooked.
flattened stems.
CAMBIUM CHIPS: Between the outer bark and the
EDIBLE PARTS: inner bark, sap, catkins wood of the tree is the cambium layer. Shave away
KEY MEDICINAL USES: This plant has antiseptic, anal- a small patch of outer bark (over-harvesting can kill
gesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. the tree). Peel away the soft cambium beneath. Fry
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: In emergencies, the in- cambium strips in oil until crispy. Season with salt.
ner bark, which is best harvested in the spring, can be WARNING: This plant contains salicylates (from
eaten fresh, boiled like noodles, or dried and ground which aspirin is derived). Individuals with ulcers
into flour. Sap can be consumed fresh as a drink, or should not consume.

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