Page 71 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Fleabane, Erigeron spp.

(ASTERACEAE)

FLEABANE is a North American native daisy-like wild-
flower found in fields, along roadsides, and against
fences. From a large genus of 35 species, several nota-
ble Erigeron species are E. annuus or Daisy fleabane, E.

philadelphicus, Philadelphia fleabane, and E. strigosus,
Rough fleabane. Fleabanes range in height between 1
and 3 ft. (0.3-1 m).
FLOWER: Flowers range in color from white and yellow
to shades of pink and purple. They are composite, mean-
ing there are tiny flowers on a central disk, surrounded
by short, petal-like rays. The central disk ranges in size
use in moderation, pairing with leaves of smooth-
from ½ to ¾ inch (1.2-3 cm).
er texture or chopping well to increase palatability.
LEAF: Basal leaves are long, oval, and measure up to 6 Leaves need to be cooked and are good boiled.
inches (15 cm). Upper leaves are toothed and clasp to
FLEABANE GREEN RICE: Collect ½ cup fresh leaves,
the stem. All leaves are hairy.
trim, and wash well. Chop as finely as possible. Mix
EDIBLE PARTS: young leaves and seedlings with other finely chopped greens and herb. Make
KEY MEDICINAL USES: The plant can be used as a di- rice. At the final stages of cooking when rice is done
uretic. but still steaming, stir in finely chopped greens, place

HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Choose healthy young lid on, and let it stand an additional 5 min. Enjoy the
green flavor and additional nutrition.
plants in their basal rosette stage early in the spring be-
fore the plant begins to flower. Pinch undamaged leaves WARNING: May cause dermatitis and miscarriage;
off close to the plants’ center to collect. You may wish to best avoided by pregnant women.

Fringed Redmaids, Calandrinia
ciliata (MONTIACEAE,

formerly PORTULACACEAE)

FRINGED REDMAIDS, Red Maids or Desert Rockpurs-
lane is an herbaceous flowering annual that varies in
size from small, low-spreading patches, a couple of inch-
es wide, to an upright branching form over 16 inches
(40 cm) tall. It is an early spring-blooming wildflower of
the southern deserts, preferring dry, open grasslands.

FLOWER: Flowers bloom in early spring, are showy,
rose, red, or pink. There are five bright petals on each
Franco Folini, CC-BY-SA-2.0
flower. Each flower can be over ½ an inch (1.5 cm) long.
COLLECT SEED: Trim and clean plant parts that have
LEAF: Alternate leaves are green, fleshy, narrow, with
gone to seed. Shake and tap plant trimmings over a
slightly spade-shaped tips. They range from ½ to 4 inch-
bowl. Allow to dry, removing any chaff from the seed.
es (1-10 cm) long and are smooth and succulent.
Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Use
EDIBLE PARTS: seeds and leaves
as you would poppy or chia seeds; add to baking,
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Seeds are rich in oil and smoothies, or oatmeal.
can be gathered in large quantity, but can be fiddly to WARNING: Although safe in small amounts and when
harvest as they ripen over an extended period of several cooked, this plant contains oxalic acid and should be
weeks. Young leaves and shoots can be eaten cooked or used in moderation and with caution by people who
raw and added to salads or used as a garnish. suffer from arthritic conditions.

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