Natural Knowledge- Staghorn Sumac

Staghorn Sumac

This is usually in a bunch.. it's brush sized. It usually grows where the ground has been disturbed.

Beware of the ones with white-yellow-greenish berries... they are poisonous and the leaves are too. The leaves turn bright red in Autumn,

See instructions on link for edibles part.

Natural Knowledge- Kudzu

Kudzu

This is an invasive that is over taking the Appalachian Forests... It's also a wild edible and cows can use it to graze.

I'm a bit confused why people are upset about it. Blessing in disguise? HARVEST it.... then it won't be invading the forest quite so much.

Natural Knowledge- Yucca

I saw a post on Facebook today that made me angry and sad for lots of children on this planet.

It basically stated that a very low percentage of children knew more than a handful of their local wild plants and animals. Wow...... That's really sad and could be dangerous.

I did a quick Internet search for local plant and animal identifications and didn't find a good source yet.

I decided to start a small teaching thread for this knowledge. Of course, I am located in the Central part of the USA, so this wont work for everyone. Do your own research and locate your local plants and animals.... I hope you know most of them,but in case you don't - learn them.

YUCCA Link to the plant.... wild edible plant usually seen as a decorative plant.

Start noticing them as you take your ordinary road trips. then start pointing them out to the kids. Say something like "Did you know that those are called yucca... and that parts of them can be eaten in an emergency situation."

Also tell them that wild plants should never be eaten without the guidance of an adult and only in an emergency because some parts of plants can make you sick and also can make you sick if eaten in the wrong time of year.

Anyway, I am not responsible for anything- just trying to get people to learn more about their local plants and animals.