Page 68 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

False Dandelion, Agoseris spp.

(ASTERACEAE)

FALSE DANDELION or Agoseris is a small perennial
found in grassy areas on foothills, montane slopes, and
alpine/subalpine areas. There are about 15 species; the
most common edible species are A. glauca and A. auran-
tiaca.

FLOWER: A single flower stalk rises to a single yellow or
orange flowerhead, up to 20 inches (50cm) tall. The seed
head is a ball of white hairs, resembling dandelion.
LEAF: Slender basal leaf, smooth to slightly hairy, are up
to 15 inches long (2.5 cm).
EDIBLE PARTS: flowers, leaves, sap as chewing gum for flavor, as well as cleaning teeth.
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Agoseris can be used topically to WILD GREENS SAUTÉ: Ingredients: 2 cups agoseris
treat wounds and swollen arms, wrists, and ankles. greens and other wild greens (lamb’s quarters, dan-
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Flowers and leaves are delion leaves), 1 onion, 1 clove garlic, 2 tbsp. apple
edible raw. Flowers are best harvested soon after they cider vinegar, 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp. lemon juice, salt and
open and can be used for tea. Leaves can be cooked as pepper. Wash greens. Mix apple cider vinegar, honey,
greens and are best harvested in early spring, before and lemon juice. In a sauté pan, lightly brown diced
the plant starts to make flowers. If harvesting leaves lat- onion and garlic. Add greens and stir. Put a lid on and
er, plunge in cold salted water for 15 min. to help with remove from heat. Let stand 5-10 min. Toss in vine-
bitterness. Gather sap from flower stems. Sap has rub- gar, honey, and lemon juice. Serve warm with cooked
bery, latex compounds; is traditionally dried and used grains, or as a side to roasted root vegetables.

False Solomon’s Seal, Maianthemum
racemosum (ASPARAGACEAE)

FALSE SOLOMON’S SEAL is found in moist, shady for-
ests, thickets, and open areas. Young rolled up shoots
unfurl to become arching lush unbranched stems in
early summer, 1 to 3 ft. (0.30-1 m) tall. It is an herba-
ceous perennial that spreads by cylindrical rhizomes.
Another notable species is M. stellatum, which is smaller
but with flowers that are showier.
FLOWER: In late spring-early summer creamy-white,
star-shaped flowers are found at the tips of the singular
plant stems. Each flower is ¼ inch (5 mm) wide and has
6 petals. They develop into clusters of small round ber-
leaves and shoots can be cooked and used as aspar-
ries, which turn from green to red.
agus. Roots can be cooked and eaten like potatoes.
LEAF: Leaves alternate up the arching stems, oval, lush,
WILD BERRY DRINK: Cook together in a pot False
and bright green with strong parallel veins. Leaves are 6
Solomon’s Seal berries and other wild berries, mash-
inches (15 cm) long with pointed tips.
ing for 5-10 min. Strain the juice. Add 2 tbsp. of juice
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit, young leaves and shoots, roots to 1 cup cool, fresh water. Add lemon juice and honey
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Root may be analgesic and an- to taste. Enjoy.
tiseptic. WARNING: Too many berries may have a laxative
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Fruit is delicate and can effect.
be eaten raw or cooked. They have a bitter-sweet taste POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Solomon’s Seal, Polygo-
and may have a laxative effect in large quantities. Young natum spp.

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