Page 200 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Sea Grape, Coccoloba

uvifera (POLYGONACEAE)

SEA GRAPE is a small tree or shrub found along sandy
and rocky seashores, often forming sprawling thickets in
sand dunes. The plant’s light-brown bark is commonly
blotched with orange and grey. Sea grape may develop
by spreading to 6.5 ft. (2m) in height, or grow erect to 50
ft. (15m) with a compact rounded crown.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Narrow racemes of fragrant
white-green flowers are produced in January- August.
Flowers are 0.2 inches (5mm) across and 5-lobed. In
March-October, fruits develop in tight cylindrical clus- James St. John, CC-BY-2.0
ters. Each grape is egg-shaped, 0.7-1 inches (1.8-2.5cm)
They can be enjoyed fresh or made into jams and
broad, and contains a large elliptical seed.
jellies. They can also be used for wine making. The
LEAF: Leaves are simple, alternate, and nearly round, plant’s springtime flower nectar produces a spicy
with smooth margins and a heart-shaped base. Measur- honey.
ing 4-10 inches (10-26cm) long and almost as wide, they
SEA GRAPE TEQUILA: Ingredients: 12 green sea
persist on the plant for 2-3 years.
grapes (seeds removed), 2 oz. (30ml) tequila, ice
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit cubes, 1.5 oz. (44ml) tonic water, ¾ oz. (22ml) gren-
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Bark and roots are astringent. adine. Muddle sea grapes in a cocktail shaker. Add
tequila, grenadine, and ice and shake for 30 seconds.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Pick grapes as they ma-
ture from summer to October. One harvesting method Strain into a glass and top up with cold tonic water.
is to cover the clusters with a bag and give the branches POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: See American Poke-
a shake. The ripe fruit will dislodge from the branches. weed

Shagbark Hickory, Carya
ovata (JUGLANDACEAE)

SHAGBARK HICKORY is a medium to large deciduous
tree, growing to 90 ft. (27m) with distinctively shaggy
grey bark. It has a trunk diameter to 1.7 ft. (0.5m) and
Tgalos90, CC-BY-SA-4.0
an oval-rounded crown.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Male flowers emerge with the
leaves in drooping yellow-green catkins 4-5 inches (10-
13cm) long. Female flowers are inconspicuous on short
spikes at the branch tips. Green, nearly-round husks
with thick walls enclose the nuts. Each husk is 1-2 inch-
es (3-5cm) long. It divides into 4 segments in autumn to Plant Image Library, CC-BY-SA-2.0 Tgalos90, CC-BY-SA-4.0
release its egg-shaped nut.
ing and baking. Collect nuts as they fall and dry them
LEAF: Leaves are alternate and pinnately compound
for 2 weeks before storing. The sap can be boiled
with 5-7 toothed leaflets. Measuring 3-7 inches (8-
into syrup.
18cm) long, leaflets are broadest near the middle or tip,
HICKORY NUT AMBROSIA: Ingredients: 2 cups
with the terminal leaflet as the largest.
crushed hickory nuts and shells (without husks),
EDIBLE PARTS: nuts, sap
6 cups water, 1 cup milk, 4 tbsp. honey. Wash nuts
KEY MEDICINAL USES: It’s analgesic and antirheumat- thoroughly. Smash them with a hammer. Collect
ic. Bark can be applied externally to inflamed joints. shells and good nut meat in a pot, discarding any bad
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: The sweet nutmeat can meat. Simmer in water over medium-low heat for 45
be eaten raw or roasted. Like walnut flesh, it can be min. Strain liquid into mugs through a cheesecloth.
boiled for oil, ground into flour, or used in salads, cook- Add milk and honey.
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