Foraging resources

This section of the Identify that Plant website acknowledges the growing interest in foraging for plants — whether for medicinal plants, edible wild plants, or plants with practical uses (for clothing, dyes, rope, basketry, fire-making, etc.).

To be included on this resource list, the information needs to be accurate, useful and credible. A key component of foraging — particularly for edible or medicinal plants — is the ability to accurately identify a plant. We know the potential dangers and risks of mis-identification.

Within each section below, the authors and creators are listed in alphabetical order. By clicking on their name, you will be taken to another page for that individual. Each author page includes the following:

How long the person has been teaching the skill of foraging
Which geographical region is featured
Website
Materials available such as books, DVDs, videos, and apps
Reviews of the material
Ability to leave comments about your personal experience with the author and/or their materials

Note that plants frequently have more than one use — for example, as both an edible and a medicinal. The authors who focus on wild edible plant foraging may include a notation of the plant’s medicinal benefits. And vice versa.

The descriptions regarding a region are simply an acknowledgement that the author’s primary personal experience is with plants of that region. It is common for plants in one region to be found throughout a much larger geographic area. In order to help you determine the usefulness of a particular book to you, the chapters (and plants) outlined in the book’s Table of Contents are listed on the author’s page.

None of the resource lists offered here are comprehensive. They are meant to be a starting point for you to put you in touch with some of the best available material. If you are aware of other resources which you think might be a useful addition to these lists, you are welcome to forward those suggestions to Angelyn AT identifythatplant DOT com for consideration.

It is essential that you cross-check any information you read or hear about a plant with as many other information sources as you can find. Errors do occur — especially if an author “copies” another author’s material without having a personal experience with that plant. And, naturally, the best learning situation is one in which you study directly with an experienced, knowledgeable forager. Green Deane has gathered information and created a list of foragers to help you find one in your area.