Page 201 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Siberian Elm, Ulmus

pumila (ULMACEAE)

SIBERIAN ELM reaches 50-70 ft. (15-20m) tall and
grows best in rich, well-drained soils.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Small, short-stemmed clusters Luis Fernández García, CC-BY-SA-4.0
of 3-15 inconspicuous flowers are produced in March-
April before leaves develop. Flowers are reddish-green
and 0.12 inches (0.3cm) wide. They give way to flat-
tened, oval samaras of about 0.4 inches (1cm) long, each
containing a solitary seed.
LEAF: Dark green leaves are simple, alternate and 1-3
inches (2.5-7.5cm) long. Blades are elliptic to oblanceo- Matt Lavin, CC-BY-SA-2.0 Melburnian, CC-BY-2.5
late in shape and toothed along the edges. a ring around the trunk, since this will interrupt the

EDIBLE PARTS: young samaras, leaves, inner bark nutrient flow and kill the tree. Once harvested, the
KEY MEDICINAL USES: The stem bark and leaves are a cambium can be sun-dried for a few days and then
diuretic and febrifuge. ground into flour to thicken soups or make bread.
Strips of inner-bark can also be boiled as noodles.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Young samaras can
be harvested in spring; are delicious fresh, boiled, or SIBERIAN SAMARA SALAD: Ingredients: imma-
steamed. Leaves are most tender in March-April; are ture samaras; carrot shavings; 1 tbsp. each of mayo,
edible raw or cooked. To harvest inner bark, remove a horseradish, fresh dill, and garlic greens; 3 tbsp.
vertical patch of the outer bark with a knife and then milk. Add samaras and carrot shavings in a bowl.
strip off the tender cambium layer between the outer As dressing, whisk mayo, horseradish, dill, garlic
bark and the wood. Never remove a section of bark in greens, and milk. Drizzle over salad.

Sitka Spruce, Picea

sitchensis (PINACEAE)

SITKA SPRUCE is a giant evergreen conifer that grows
to more than 250 ft. (80m) tall with an open conical
crown; it holds the title of the world’s largest spruce.
Its towering naked trunk is buttressed at the base and
plated with scaly, maroon-hued bark, and can grow to
15 ft (5m) wide.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Male catkins are yellow and egg-
shaped. Female catkins are reddish. Female seed cones
are 1-4 inches (2.5-10cm) long.
Sitka National Historical
LEAF: Sharp needles are 0.5-1.5 inches (1.5-4cm) long Park, CC-BY-2.0 CC-BY-2.5
and bluish to yellowish-green. Technically 4-sided, they ed. In emergencies, inner bark can be harvested in
appear flattened or triangular in cross-section. spring-summer.
EDIBLE PARTS: young shoots, male catkins, young fe- SPRUCE CRUMBLE TOPPING: Mix ¼ cup spruce
male cones, inner bark needles (dried, powdered), ½ cup each of ground al-
KEY MEDICINAL USES: This plant has antiseptic and monds and chestnut flour, ⅔ cup butter, 1 tsp. salt.
analgesic properties. Spread on a baking sheet and toast until golden.
Sprinkle over meats and vegetables.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Young shoot tips make a
vitamin C-rich tea. Together with the immature male cat- POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: American Yew, Taxus
kins, they are edible raw or cooked. Female cones, when canadensis; Yew Pine, Podocarpus macrophyllus; Nor-
young and tender, turn honey-like within when roast- folk Island Pine, Araucaria heterophylla

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