Edible and Medicinal Plants #1

阿克

By: Love Spellcaster

In a survival situation, plants can provide food and medicine. Their safe usage requires absolutely
positive identification, knowing how to prepare them for eating, and knowing any dangerous
properties they might have. Familiarity with botanical structures of plants and information on
where they grow will make them easier to locate and identify.
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Abal
Calligonum comosum
Description:
The abal is one of the few shrubby plants that exists in the shady deserts. This plant grows to
about 1.2 meters, and its branches look like wisps from a broom. The stiff, green branches
produce an abundance of flowers in the early spring months (March, April).
Habitat and Distribution:
This plant is found in desert scrub and waste in any climatic zone. It inhabits much of the North
African desert. It may also be found on the desert sands of the Middle East and as far eastward as
the Rajputana desert of western India.
Edible Parts:
This plant's general appearance would not indicate its usefulness to the survivor, but while this
plant is flowering in the spring, its fresh flowers can be eaten. This plant is common in the areas
where it is found. An analysis of the food value of this plant has shown it to be high in sugar and
nitrogenous components.
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Acacia
Acacia farnesiana
Description: Acacia is a spreading, usually short tree with spines and alternate compound leaves.
Its individual leaflets are small. Its flowers are ball-shaped, bright yellow, and very fragrant. Its
bark is a whitish-gray color. Its fruits are dark brown and podlike.
Habitat and Distribution:
Acacia grows in open, sunny areas. It is found throughout all tropical regions. Note: There are
about 500 species of acacia. These plants are especially prevalent in Africa, southern Asia, and
Australia, but many species are found in the warmer and drier parts of America.
Edible Parts:
Its young leaves, flowers, and pods are edible raw or cooked.
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Agave
Agave species
Description:
These plants have large clusters of thick, fleshy leaves borne close to the ground and
surrounding a central stalk. The plants flower only once, then die. They produce a massive flower
stalk.

Habitat and Distribution:
Agaves prefer dry, open areas. They are found throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and
parts of the western deserts of the United States and Mexico.
Edible Parts:
Its flowers and flower buds are edible. Boil them before eating. CAUTION: The juice of some
species causes dermatitis in some individuals. Other Uses: Cut the huge flower stalk and collect
the juice for drinking. Some species have very fibrous leaves. Pound the leaves and remove the
fibers for weaving and making ropes. Most species have thick, sharp needles at the tips of the
leaves. Use them for sewing or making hacks. The sap of some species contains a chemical that
makes the sap suitable for use as a soap.
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Almond
Prunus amygdalus
Description:
The almond tree, which sometimes grows to 12.2 meters, looks like a peach tree. The fresh
almond fruit resembles a gnarled, unripe peach and grows in clusters. The stone (the almond
itself) is covered with a thick, dry, woolly skin.
Habitat and Distribution:
Almonds are found in the scrub and thorn forests of the tropics, the evergreen scrub forests of
temperate areas, and in desert scrub and waste in all climatic zones. The almond tree is also
found in the semidesert areas of the Old World in southern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean,
Iran, the Middle East, China, Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands.
Edible Parts:
The mature almond fruit splits open lengthwise down the side, exposing the ripe almond nut. You
can easily get the dry kernel by simply cracking open the stone. Almond meats are rich in food
value, like all nuts. Gather them in large quantities and shell them for further use as survival food.
You could live solely on almonds for rather long periods. When you boil them, the kernel's outer
covering comes off and only the white meat remains.
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Amaranth
Amaranthus species
Description:
These plants, which grow 90 centimeters to 150 centimeters tall, are abundant weeds in many
parts of the world. All amaranth have alternate simple leaves. They may have some red color
present on the stems. They bear minute, greenish flowers in dense clusters at the top of the
plants. Their seeds may be brown or black in weedy species and light-colored in domestic
species.
Habitat and Distribution:
Look for amaranth along roadsides, in disturbed waste areas, or as weeds in crops throughout
the world. Some amaranth species have been grown as a grain crop and a garden vegetable in
various parts of the world, especially in South America.
Edible Parts:
All parts are edible, but some may have sharp spines you should remove before eating. The
young plants or the growing tips of older plants are an excellent vegetable. Simply boil the young
plants or eat them raw. Their seeds are very nutritious. Shake the tops of older plants to get the
seeds. Eat the seeds raw, boiled, ground into flour, or popped like popcorn.

Arctic willow
Salix arctica
Description:
The arctic willow is a shrub that never exceeds more than 60 centimeters in height and grows in
clumps that form dense mats on the tundra.
Habitat and Distribution:
The arctic willow is common on tundras in North America. Europe, and Asia. You can also find it
in some mountainous areas in temperate regions.
Edible Parts:
You can collect the succulent, tender young shoots of the arctic willow in early spring. Strip off
the outer bark of the new shoots and eat the inner portion raw. You can also peel and eat raw the
young underground shoots of any of the various kinds of arctic willow. Young willow leaves are
one of the richest sources of vitamin C, containing 7 to 10 times more than an orange.
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Arrowroot
Maranta and Sagittaria species
Description:
The arrowroot is an aquatic plant with arrow-shaped leaves and potatolike tubers in the mud.
Habitat and Distribution:
Arrowroot is found worldwide in temperate zones and the tropics. It is found in moist to wet
habitats.
Edible Parts:
The rootstock is a rich source of high quality starch. Boil the rootstock and eat it as a vegetable.
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Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis
Description:
The spring growth of this plant resembles a cluster of green fingers. The mature plant has
fernlike, wispy foliage and red berries. Its flowers are small and greenish in color. Several
species have sharp, thorn-like structures.
Habitat and Distribution:
Asparagus is found worldwide in temperate areas. Look for it in fields, old homesites, and
fencerows.
Edible Parts:
Eat the young stems before leaves form. Steam or boil them for 10 to 15 minutes before eating.
Raw asparagus may cause nausea or diarrhea. The fleshy roots are a good source of starch.
WARNING Do not eat the fruits of any since some are toxic

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