Page 213 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Wila/Edible Horsehair Lichen,

Bryoria fremontii (PARMELIACEAE)

Jason Hollinger, CC-BY-2.0

Jason Hollinger, CC-BY-2.0

WILA drapes in thread-like skeins from the tree HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Wila can be harvest-
branches. Found in dry, open forests, it prefers conif- ed year-round with a long stick. It must be washed
erous species such as ponderosa pine, western larch, thoroughly, leached (see instructions under “Iceland
and Douglas fir. Wila grows in western North Ameri- Moss”), and pounded to expel its green, acidic juices.
ca, occurring from southern Yukon Territory to Cali- The traditional way to cook Wila is slowly in an earth-
fornia. It contains 2-5% protein. en pit. If prepared right, Wila will taste sweet and sa-
PHYSICAL FEATURES: Wila’s tangled, drooping fil- vory.
aments grow from 2.5-18 inches (6-45cm) long. Its PIT-COOKED WILA: Ingredients: Wila (washed,
main branches are distinctly twisted and pitted, with leached, pounded), wet vegetation (e.g.: moss, ferns,
rounded to flattened surfaces. Stem thickness is un- grass), root vegetables. Dig a pit 11.5 feet (3.5 m) wide
even, from 0.02-0.06 inches (0.05-0.15cm) wide. and 3 ft. (1 m) deep. Line bottom with red-hot rocks.
Slimmer side branches fork off at roughly perpendic- Cover rocks with soaked vegetation. Layer on Wila
ular angles. Wila’s brown coloration varies from choc- and vegetables. Cover with another bed of wet greens.
olatey to reddish to yellowish. It is typically sleek and Bury with earth and light a fire above. Let steam for
wiry, without brittleness. When wet, it becomes soft 1-5 days. Cooked Wila should resemble a black, sticky
and flaccid. dough. Eat fresh or dried.
REPRODUCTIVE FEATURES: Fruiting bodies (apoth- WARNING: Only harvest Wila if it is dark-hued (not
ecia), when present, are yellow disks, 0.04-0.08 inch- yellow) and growing on a coniferous tree. If it is bit-
es (1-2mm) across. Granule-like soredia, yellow or ter-tasting, avoid, as it can contain vulpinic acid,
greenish, occasionally develop in tiny patches. which is poisonous. Leach before eating. Consume in
EDIBLE PARTS: entire lichen small quantities.
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Wila has been used exter- POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Wila can be easily con-
nally to remove warts, relieve swellings, and staunch fused with other stringy lichens, including the deadly
wounds. Internally it is taken for gastrointestinal B. tortuosa. See chapter Warning.
complaints.

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