Page 47 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Canadian Horseweed, Conyza

canadensis (ASTERACEAE)

CANADIAN HORSEWEED, also known as Erigeron
canadensis and Canadian Fleabane, is a 1 to 7-ft. (0.3-2
m) tall annual that grows in most soil. It is an erect, un-
branching plant with hairy ridged stems, arising from
a small rosette. In the Conyza genus, there are 4 known
horseweeds in North America.
FLOWER: Blooming for several weeks, the top of the
plant forms a pyramid of flower-tipped branches with
tiny 0.19 inch (3 mm) wide, bell-shaped, individual-
ly stalked flowers. They develop into light grey-brown
seeds with 0.19-inch fluffy bristles for wind distribution.
flavorful boiled green. Dried leaves can be harvested
LEAF: Lower leaves are large, 8 times as long as they are any time of year. They are best harvested in the heat
wide, toothed and alternate. Upper leaves are smaller, of the day to use as a spice, like tarragon.
without teeth, but all are dense, narrow, no more than DRYING HORSEWEED FOR THE SPICE CUP-
0.5 inch (12 mm) wide, and have hairs on the margins
BOARD: Before the plant begins to flower, collect
and sometimes the veins. leaves, clean thoroughly, and let dry. Chop or break

EDIBLE PARTS: young leaves and seedlings apart (not powdered) and put in a glass spice jar.
KEY MEDICINAL USES: May be valuable for use in di- Keep in a dark, cool, dry place and use within 1 year.
gestion and respiratory ailments.
WARNING: Some people may experience dermatitis
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Young leaves and seed- from exposure to this plant. It can be toxic or poison-
lings are harvested in early spring. They can be used as a ous to dogs.

Canyon Grape, Vitis
arizonica (VITACEAE)

CANYON GRAPE or Arizona Grape is a woody, perenni-
al, deciduous vine growing in southern USA and north-
ern Mexico. They can be found in canyons, on stream-
Stan Shebs, CC-BY-SA-3.0
banks and often climbing into trees.
FLOWER: Born on strongly branched panicles, loose,
open, 1 to 4 (2-10 cm) inches long, tiny flowers have five
white petals becoming black, edible, sometimes bitter
grapes.
LEAF: Up to 4 (10 cm) inches long and wide, shallowly
Stan Shebs, CC-BY-SA-3.0 Stan Shebs, CC-BY-SA-3.0
lobed, and toothed irregularly, grape-like leaves grow
opposite tendrils which attach to climbable structures. can be used as a nutritious green. Mature leaves can

EDIBLE PARTS: fruit and leaves be used as a food wrapper, steamed, pickled, or fer-
mented.
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Leaves may have anti-inflam-
matory and analgesic use. CANYON GRAPE LEAF-WRAPPED STEAMED VEGE-
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Grapes are edible, but TABLES: Over the fire, on a grill or other heat source,
some plants produce nicer fruit than others. Grapes can use chopped vegetables, meat, or fish, and place in lay-
be made into juice, jams, jellies, or wine. Find healthy ers of mature grape leaves. Season and moisten. Wrap
plants in full sun with good growing conditions. Pick tightly and allow to steam for the duration of cooking.
grapes that have had sun exposure when they are ful- POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Common Moonseed,
ly ripe and undamaged. During spring young leaves Menispermum canadense

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