weed = food
By Stephan
@stk40m (1119)
Koeln, Germany
August 6, 2011 9:29am CST
due to a garden project I had to let a part of the garden rest. Meanwhile there have grown numerous plant species - all weed! But to my astonishment half of those weeds or more are actually edible!
Some mylotters know much more about this subject but I'm also trying to find out more about those plants. I may add that not every weed is edible. Some weeds are even toxic, like one that's growing on a heap of rubble in our yard called European Black Nightshade
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_nigrum
researching the subject on the net I found out that many wild growing plants have much higher nutritional values than cultivated (breeded) plants. I would interpret this as a logical result from breeding because man was originally used to plants that grew around him in nature and by changing the composition of the plant he also changed its nutritional value. Not to mention the effects on other animal species that breeding would have...
so I'm looking for 'lost' knowledge which isn't really lost but most people just don't know about it. They would think that weed is something that has to be disposed of. Here's just some of the questions I'm trying to answer; some questions may seem of local interest as there are growing different plants in different places of the world but to have an overall view everyone is invited to answer them depending on the country (s)he lives in:
is there a reliable website that lists (edible) wild growing plants together with their nutritional values with quantities per amount (e.g. 5 mg iron/ 100g, 5% protein(which one?)/ 100g etc.)? The more precise the better!
which wild growing plants are edible and how are they prepared (eating raw preferential)?
5 responses
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
11 Aug 11
I have had this discussion open for the last two days but have not had time to respond. Yes! Weeds are food! 
Yes, stay away from eating the leaves of the whole nightshade family as the leaves of most of them are toxic, that is why they are sometimes referred to as "Deadly Nightshades!" Due to tomatoes being in this family, there was even at time when the fruit of the tomato plant was considered poisonous! 
It is hard to find specific nutritional data for edible weeds. There are lost of sites that talk about medicinal uses and just vague nutritional info. Such as that the plant does contain a certain mineral, or is high in protein, but I have not come across too many that talk about more specific nutritional data. This site is one good one that I have used, but it does not have everything. http://nutritiondata.self.com
For medicinal uses, I usually refer to Isabelle Shiphard either in her books which we have or her website here: http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au
There are so many edible plants that others consider to be weeds that it is amazing. It is really sad that people are spraying these beneficial plants because they believe they are pests. The other confusing thing about weeds (and plants in general) is that they often have many different names worldwide. This is why knowing botanical names is important!
I have been planting more "weeds" in my garden to add to the many that are growing around our property. The ones that I have been adding to my smoothies that are in abundance here are:
Blue top - http://www.noosanativeplants.com.au/plants/664/*ageratum-houstonianum
And Nodding Top - Sorry, cannot find any links or photos of that one. I will attempt to take a photo of it growing here and upload it!
Yes, stay away from eating the leaves of the whole nightshade family as the leaves of most of them are toxic, that is why they are sometimes referred to as "Deadly Nightshades!" Due to tomatoes being in this family, there was even at time when the fruit of the tomato plant was considered poisonous!
It is hard to find specific nutritional data for edible weeds. There are lost of sites that talk about medicinal uses and just vague nutritional info. Such as that the plant does contain a certain mineral, or is high in protein, but I have not come across too many that talk about more specific nutritional data. This site is one good one that I have used, but it does not have everything. http://nutritiondata.self.com
For medicinal uses, I usually refer to Isabelle Shiphard either in her books which we have or her website here: http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au
There are so many edible plants that others consider to be weeds that it is amazing. It is really sad that people are spraying these beneficial plants because they believe they are pests. The other confusing thing about weeds (and plants in general) is that they often have many different names worldwide. This is why knowing botanical names is important!
I have been planting more "weeds" in my garden to add to the many that are growing around our property. The ones that I have been adding to my smoothies that are in abundance here are:
Blue top - http://www.noosanativeplants.com.au/plants/664/*ageratum-houstonianum
And Nodding Top - Sorry, cannot find any links or photos of that one. I will attempt to take a photo of it growing here and upload it!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
11 Aug 11
Above is my original reply to this discussion. As I mentioned in my post on your comment in my discussion, I had trouble posting that. 
Do you have an Iphone? There are a couple of Wild Edible apps that you can get for them. This first one was created by a friend of mine, Sergei. I do not have an Iphone, but have an Android phone. He said that he had no plans to create it on Android at this time as it was going to be more difficult unfortunately.
http://sergeiboutenko.com/wild-edible-app-is-here/
http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Books.Folder/App%20Folder/App.html
Both would be awesome tools for identifying edible weeds out in the wild.
Do you have an Iphone? There are a couple of Wild Edible apps that you can get for them. This first one was created by a friend of mine, Sergei. I do not have an Iphone, but have an Android phone. He said that he had no plans to create it on Android at this time as it was going to be more difficult unfortunately.
http://sergeiboutenko.com/wild-edible-app-is-here/
http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Books.Folder/App%20Folder/App.html
Both would be awesome tools for identifying edible weeds out in the wild. 1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
12 Aug 11
Yes, there seems to be a calling for someone with a lot of knowledge (or a group of people) to create an online resource for all this data. I agree. Wikipedia is an awesome place for info too.
Do you have any Purslane growing? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleracea
I have been told that it has all the essential amino acids to be a complete protein, but according to the protein quality here: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2604/2 it only scores 65%. So while it is good, it is not perfect, but I had been told by an expert that it was! There are so many conflicting reports out there that it is hard to know who to believe!
I have not heard of or seen the Albugo candida before on any plants. Thanks for sharing though as I love learning about gardening. One of my favourite places to get gardening tips is from this guy who has an amazing edible garden: http://www.youtube.com/user/growingyourgreens John has an enormous amount of great videos showing all sorts of handy tips. his garden is very inspiring!
That is strange that you cannot view photos on here???
I have added my Nodding Top photo at imageshack: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/rszdsc0239.jpg/
My user profile I just set up is:http://profile.imageshack.us/user/rawbill I will have to add more photos of my garden here as I go along.
I have not heard of or seen the Albugo candida before on any plants. Thanks for sharing though as I love learning about gardening. One of my favourite places to get gardening tips is from this guy who has an amazing edible garden: http://www.youtube.com/user/growingyourgreens John has an enormous amount of great videos showing all sorts of handy tips. his garden is very inspiring!
That is strange that you cannot view photos on here???
I have added my Nodding Top photo at imageshack: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/rszdsc0239.jpg/
My user profile I just set up is:http://profile.imageshack.us/user/rawbill I will have to add more photos of my garden here as I go along.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
6 Aug 11
I've heard numerous times now that nettles taste good. Time to try them myself, they're growing here, too! Good to know that the stings will wilt when cooking the nettles - adds to other techniques mentioned in earlier discussions :-)
Sorrel sounds and looks like a very interesting plant, too. Will check if I find it growing around here. So far I've tried the leaves of shaggy soldier. They can be eaten raw and taste delicious. There are also some thistles which look tempting but they have some sharp prickles that I guess will need to be removed before eating.
@Galena (9110)
•
6 Aug 11
they do recommend eating nettles between March and May to have them at their best. they can get a bit woody later in the year. but if you just pick the new growth from the tips, it should be okay. pick them using gloves, and just dip them into boiling water before prep, to wilt the stings, or chop them with the gloves still on before starting them cooking.
Sorrel looks a bit like the dock leaf, but with less tough, smoother leaves, and has a sort of appley, sharp flavour. it's really nice. you can just cut it and have it in salads. I have a plant in my garden and will often take a leaf to nibble on while I'm gardening. it's quite a resiliant plant.
I have a lot of so called weeds that I allow to get on with it in my garden, because of their usefulness. in fact, a lot of plants I've grown myself, other people consider to be weeds. I like a lot of wildflowers and more unusual herbs.
I never call any plant a weed. they might be growing where I don't want them, and I'll either pull them up or move them to where I do want them, but that doesn't make them a weed.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
7 Aug 11
thanks for the preparation tips for nettles. I'll soon try it :-)
yes, weeds can be very useful. They'll grow in places other plants won't grow and as they take the carbon out of the air they create new soil which will then allow those other plants to grow, too. Guess that's why they are called pioneer species. I think the term weed originates from the 'problem' that the growth of cultivated plants (e.g. wheat) gets disturbed by weed. But I also avoid the word because it has a negative connatation which isn't justified.
as for resilient plants, do you know Greater Plantain? That's a plant which is edible, too and you can step on it numerous times without destroying it. It grows almost everywhere and originates from Europe. Here's a nice Wiki quote:
It is believed to be one of the first plants to reach North America after European colonisation. Native Americans called the plant "white man's footprint" or "Englishman's foot" because it appeared wherever white men went.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantago_major
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
6 Aug 11
This is something I should research, but have not. I know of a few leafy green plants that are edible. I am sure to admit I have a large share of weeds. I have heard to put them raw, through a juicer with other fruits and vegetables. Some others actually release more nutrients with some steam and a little oil. I know of people that pick certain blossoms, dip them in a batter like tempura and deep fry them. I think that would be tasty for sure.It is really great that you are considering the food value of your wild plants.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
6 Aug 11
thank you for the tips as to how to get more of the nutrients out of the plants. Yes, even though I'm a newbie in regard to gardening and edible weeds I like the idea of walking through the wild knowing I'm surrounded by potential food while in the past I felt a bit 'lost' and 'disconnected'. By picking fruits and vegetables right from the place where they grow - almost anywhere in the world - I believe this establishes the connection and I feel part of nature.
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Aug 11
I learned about one when living in Pocatello as a child. There was green weed, I don't even remember the name of it. But one had sort of a frosty look on the back of the green leaves. The other didn't. The one that did could be picked and boiled and was very good. Sort of like spinach for flavor and very good with alittle vinegar pored on it.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
7 Aug 11
yep, I've read that in the past children were taught much more about weeds while nowadays it seems that it has become a side issue, even in schools. People then were much more connected to nature, maybe also because nowadays we have decreasingly wild growing plants as they'll either be cut, pulled out or removed with herbicides.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Aug 11
My mother and grandmother taught me alot about such things.
@RBBantiles (347)
• Philippines
6 Aug 11
I find that Wikipedia is still the better bet for information like those you earlier enumerated. From the references you can go to different links. As to nutritional value, Wikipedia, as you certainly know, cites the USDA nutrient database.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
6 Aug 11
yep, Wiki is great and I know the USDA database, too. Both lacked nutrition panels for many wild growing plants though. I even tried to find comprehensive books about it but so far to no avail. The chemical composition of such plants is certainly known but the question is where to find that information, preferably in a single database so you don't have to look it up on/ in many websites/ books.
