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Peterson Field Guides #23
A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America
More than 370 edible wild plants, plus 37 poisonous look-a-likes, are described here, with 400 drawings and 78 color photographs showing precisely how to recognize each species. Also included are habitat descriptions, lists of plants by season, and preparation instructions for 22 different food uses.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 30, 2023
Informative, and yes, also exceedingly interesting, Lee Allen Peterson's A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America (originally published in 1978, but my copy is the 1999 edition) is a reference guide that primarily has been conceptualised for one main purpose, and that therefore A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America specifically and generally only describes and showcases the many edible wild plant species of Eastern and Central North America. And while some edible wild plants usually found mostly in Western North America are included as well in A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America, this usually only happens if or when these plants also tend to sometimes occur in Eastern and Central regions (in other words, if and when there is a bit of a distribution overlap).
Now Lee Allen Peterson (who I believe is the son of Roger Tory Peterson, the renowned ornithologist and founder of the concept of the Peterson Field Guides) not only details in A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America what the edible wild plant species being showcased look like, how tall they are, how to identify the plants, the amount of seeds, fruits they generally produce and the like, he also shows and describes different ways in which the plants might be prepared and consumed, warnings about plants that might be toxic and/or even potentially lethal if the wrong parts are used and/or ingested, and most essentially warnings in my opinion, about toxic look-alikes (and that this is especially imperative for plants like wild carrot, wild parsnip and company, seeing that they can easily be confused with deadly poison or water hemlock, and in fact, the author cautions in A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America that beginners, that novice foragers should NOT EVEN ATTEMPT to harvest wild carrots, wild parsley, yarrow etc. due the risks of possible and yes indeed often lethal misidentification being a real threat and possibility).
Finally, with regard to the accompanying pictorials, A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America features both accompanying illustrations (line drawings) of the presented edible plant species and a section of colour photographs (colour plates). And personally, while I do find the illustrations easier to visually identify than the photographed plants on the colour plates, I definitely would prefer the illustrations to have been rendered in colour, rather than simply appear as black and white, read monochrome line drawings. Furthermore, I also think that it would be both interesting and fun had Lee Allen Peterson also included his own specific and tested recipes for at least some of the featured wild plants. However, all in all, A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America truly is a wonderful and much informative field guide and botanical reference manual both for budding as well as serious harvesters/foragers, as well as for individuals like myself (who will not likely ever attempt to harvest or consume these edible wild plants, but do find the presented information on plants, botany and wild harvesting interesting and readable).
Now Lee Allen Peterson (who I believe is the son of Roger Tory Peterson, the renowned ornithologist and founder of the concept of the Peterson Field Guides) not only details in A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America what the edible wild plant species being showcased look like, how tall they are, how to identify the plants, the amount of seeds, fruits they generally produce and the like, he also shows and describes different ways in which the plants might be prepared and consumed, warnings about plants that might be toxic and/or even potentially lethal if the wrong parts are used and/or ingested, and most essentially warnings in my opinion, about toxic look-alikes (and that this is especially imperative for plants like wild carrot, wild parsnip and company, seeing that they can easily be confused with deadly poison or water hemlock, and in fact, the author cautions in A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America that beginners, that novice foragers should NOT EVEN ATTEMPT to harvest wild carrots, wild parsley, yarrow etc. due the risks of possible and yes indeed often lethal misidentification being a real threat and possibility).
Finally, with regard to the accompanying pictorials, A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America features both accompanying illustrations (line drawings) of the presented edible plant species and a section of colour photographs (colour plates). And personally, while I do find the illustrations easier to visually identify than the photographed plants on the colour plates, I definitely would prefer the illustrations to have been rendered in colour, rather than simply appear as black and white, read monochrome line drawings. Furthermore, I also think that it would be both interesting and fun had Lee Allen Peterson also included his own specific and tested recipes for at least some of the featured wild plants. However, all in all, A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America truly is a wonderful and much informative field guide and botanical reference manual both for budding as well as serious harvesters/foragers, as well as for individuals like myself (who will not likely ever attempt to harvest or consume these edible wild plants, but do find the presented information on plants, botany and wild harvesting interesting and readable).
March 4, 2013
I’ve argued with colleagues over this, but I still consider this to be the most important book for edible plant foragers to own, at least for those in the eastern U.S.A. It is not a cookbook, and only gives a brief description of the edible uses, but the most important step in learning about edible plants is not learning to cook plants well, but learning to identify them without making a mistake. One mistake can be fatal, so there is no margin for error. The Peterson guide describes the plants in sufficient detail to make mistakes virtually inexcusable. Foragers need to be aware of flower color (when in bloom), leaf type and shapes, stem shapes, textures, and any other pertinent details, before a plant should be consumed. I have made scores of first time identifications with the use of the Peterson Guide, and have done the same with the medicinal plant and general wildflower guides as well. It is the one edible plant book that I keep in my backpack.
January 4, 2016
My son bought me this for Christmas. Every Christmas for the past six years he has bought me a book. A first like this...
We love the woods and one day as we were walking along we saw some berries hanging on a branch. They were purple connected to a fan of leaves that were smooth. As we stood there starring at them, he asked me if they were edible. I had no idea. But I said no to be on the safe side. When I got the book, I opened it up and read through the pages and looked at each of the pictures until I came across the bush that we had seen. I'm not positive if it was the exact bush but the picture had a skull and cross bones beside it. Which meant poisonous.
I can't wait till spring and we can walk through the woods together and discover all the plants that could sustain us if we chose.
Great book, with lots of info.
We love the woods and one day as we were walking along we saw some berries hanging on a branch. They were purple connected to a fan of leaves that were smooth. As we stood there starring at them, he asked me if they were edible. I had no idea. But I said no to be on the safe side. When I got the book, I opened it up and read through the pages and looked at each of the pictures until I came across the bush that we had seen. I'm not positive if it was the exact bush but the picture had a skull and cross bones beside it. Which meant poisonous.
I can't wait till spring and we can walk through the woods together and discover all the plants that could sustain us if we chose.
Great book, with lots of info.
June 3, 2013
There is a growing interest in foraging wild plants in the culinary world. This book allows anyone to be able to partake in this endeavor. Lots of great information is mentioned throughout. With text on the left and drawings on the right, the book presents a concise paragraph or so of useful information for each of the edible plants discussed. There is also a section of photographs, and it would be a welcome addition, if future printings would change over to 100% photos for greater accuracy and confidence - though the drawing throughout are well done and prove to be useful. Probably the definitive book on the subject.
March 11, 2009
Read this twice when I was in high school, along with another book just like it. You might be bored by it, but I was enthralled!
March 22, 2020
Good if foraging when berries/flowers are out!
June 23, 2013
This compact book is as much an informative read as it is a handy field guide. I was pleasantly surprised that such a little book could be so full of valuable information in such a useful variety of helpful formats -- diagrams, icons, lists, color plates and descriptions. Includes much more introductory and concluding information than expected and recommends books for further study.
In addition to the diagrammed bulk of the book, I most favored the section, "Finding Edible Plants: Where and When They Occur." From that informative section on habitat and succession:
"Plant communities are not static, but are continually modifying their own environment. The accumulation of decaying organic material builds up the soil and increases its ability to support plant life. Gradually dry land is created out of wet land, and sterile soil becomes enriched with humus. For example, a pond will evolve into a swamp, and an open field will eventually become a forest. As each successive plant community gives way to the next, the habitat becomes more stable, and in time supports a climax community, such as beech-hemlock forest. If there are no major disturbances (natural or manmade), the climax community will remain essentially unchanged... The 14 habitats described in this section are the major ones in our area. they are ordered in rough successional sequence (open water to dry land, bare earth to mature forest): Seashores, Running Water, Still Water, Northern Bogs, Swamps, Wet Meadows, Waster Ground, Open Fields, Old Fields, Thickets, Dry Open Woods, Moist Woods. Spruce-Fir Woods, Alpine Tundra."
In addition to the diagrammed bulk of the book, I most favored the section, "Finding Edible Plants: Where and When They Occur." From that informative section on habitat and succession:
"Plant communities are not static, but are continually modifying their own environment. The accumulation of decaying organic material builds up the soil and increases its ability to support plant life. Gradually dry land is created out of wet land, and sterile soil becomes enriched with humus. For example, a pond will evolve into a swamp, and an open field will eventually become a forest. As each successive plant community gives way to the next, the habitat becomes more stable, and in time supports a climax community, such as beech-hemlock forest. If there are no major disturbances (natural or manmade), the climax community will remain essentially unchanged... The 14 habitats described in this section are the major ones in our area. they are ordered in rough successional sequence (open water to dry land, bare earth to mature forest): Seashores, Running Water, Still Water, Northern Bogs, Swamps, Wet Meadows, Waster Ground, Open Fields, Old Fields, Thickets, Dry Open Woods, Moist Woods. Spruce-Fir Woods, Alpine Tundra."
January 17, 2015
This book is absolutely amazing. The drawings are incredibly accurate, and really bring out the unique attributes of each plant. This is the primary book I studied edible plants from before spending several months in the Southern Appalachian mountains, and the one of those I carried with me in my hiking pack. I used several others, but this was the one I studied most thoroughly. Physically, the book is also perfect for hiking -- small in size, but extremely information dense.
If you were going to get one book about edible plants in the Eastern U.S., this would be the one I'd recommend over all the others.
If you were going to get one book about edible plants in the Eastern U.S., this would be the one I'd recommend over all the others.
August 2, 2012
I decided to put this excellent field guide on my "read" list because I have been reading a lot of this book for years and I am sure I will continue to read it for years to come. I also need to fulfill my goal of reading 100 books this year and I am falling short. Filled with good and delicous information, this book has left me well enough informed to eat plants off the ground nearly everywhere I go.
May 17, 2017
Quite comprehensive. Mostly black & white drawings with short informative descriptions. Some color photos, mostly of flowering species & berries. Helpful section on how/where to find edible plants and recipes.
Note: this book is focussed on eastern & central north america, so if you're in the west you might want to look elsewhere. Cactus isn't even in the index.
Note: this book is focussed on eastern & central north america, so if you're in the west you might want to look elsewhere. Cactus isn't even in the index.
November 4, 2008
Hey, not really my part of the country but there are some overlapping plants. Pretty solid guide.
September 19, 2017
There is a wealth of information packed into this book, but it is very difficult to really get into it and understand: as the old saying goes, a picture says a thousand words and while there are certainly a lot of black and white pictures, there are only 15 pages (or less than 5% of the total page count) of color pictures. It would be very easy for misidentification to occur due to hand-sketched nature of a black and white drawing of various plants - while I understand color pages cost more, I'd have certainly paid it so I could make a better determination of what I was observing in the wild. The text in this manual is excellent, but I have a hard time being able to point a particular section of this book to a visual of whatever the plant is in the guide. Knowing my luck, if I relied solely on this guide I would be preparing something poisonous.
January 2, 2018
This is an awesome book to use as a reference. You generally would not read this book cover to cover but it is an invaluable reference. The drawings are very helpful in identifying different types of leaves, bulbs and petal patterns. I also really appreciated the symbols to help identify the different uses for various plants. There is a small section of colored photos, but the real benefit are the drawings of various plants.
December 19, 2020
This is another of my great thrift store finds. It has been a big help in identifying what's edible in our neighborhood, yard, and woods behind our home. Great color plates, clear and enlarged black and white illustrations, descriptions, where and when to find edible plants, when blooming or fruit available, and recipes. It states clearly if the item is poisonous or edible. We have identified several plants, mushrooms, bushes, vines, and nuts during our foraging forays!
August 2, 2019
Found this on my mother's bookshelf after foraging some thimble berries & Queen Anne's Lace in her yard. It's the 1977 version & is still 100% relevant today. Wicked helpful & I kinda wanna take it home to Denver with me, though he recommends a book for the Western & Southwestern plants as well. I can see myself and others using this for years to come.
November 11, 2019
This a wonderful field reference to the wonderful munchies that the Lord has provided to us naturally. It is crammed full of diagrams, descriptions, and even methods of preparation. If you are like me it's interesting to read, but it is a guide to take outdoors and help you find these plants. I'll be using this guide over and over. If you want a super-comprehensive guide this is it.
January 6, 2023
This is NEVER the book that I would recommend to people just starting out with wild foraging. BUT! The amount of listed plants (and ways to eat them) is unrivaled for foragers who are hoping to expand their knowledge.
December 3, 2017
very simple to use and an enjoyable and useful guide
January 25, 2018
Super useful guide. Read in full for grad school class.
April 29, 2021
Although the drawings are well done, I would not feel comfortable eating a plant that I had attempted to identify based on a drawing.
October 29, 2021
Has a lot of good information on the plants and how they can help you.
January 4, 2022
I survived in the wild foraging for chutes and seeds thanks to this book.
April 25, 2022
Very comprehensive information but I would love to see more color illustrations
January 5, 2023
My go to plant ID book. I keep a copy with me whenever Iam out foraging.
April 4, 2015
I've used this book for years as I've learned to harvest wild foods. Easy to carry and the color coding makes it easy to skim through to identify something quickly. I keep several copies on hand so that I can loan one to someone else when they go foraging with me.
The downside is that because it's smallish, there isn't a lot of information on each plant, and often it doesn't really help me when I find a plant that is not in bloom or fruit, because this book uses those colors to categorize. I generally carry this plus others that are more regionally focused so I get a broad range.
The downside is that because it's smallish, there isn't a lot of information on each plant, and often it doesn't really help me when I find a plant that is not in bloom or fruit, because this book uses those colors to categorize. I generally carry this plus others that are more regionally focused so I get a broad range.
October 25, 2009
This book is AMAZING and comprehensive... it has far more information than most books on edible wilds. I've owned this book now for -- oh about 15 years or so... I just keep on reading it. Never amazes me how many "weeds" are chock full of vitamins and flavor (yet we all keep on thinking we only have spinach, lettuce, carrots, etc from the grocery store to eat)... Man there is a buffet out there!
March 2, 2011
This was interesting and useful, though I use it more as a way of checking that what my kids/animals have gotten into is not poisonous, than for actually eating. They cover all kinds of uses for plants and also note whether they actually taste good and are worth the effort. I found it easy to use. It's set up rather like the other Peterson's guides with pictures and information together and a few color plates in the middle.
June 17, 2013
A good starting point, but I wouldn't actually put the information into practice after reading only this book. There isn't enough information contained in it (and the pictures aren't good enough) to safely identify plants with poisonous look-alikes or to be able to properly prepare wild edibles which need special preparation to be safely eaten.
Overall, I'd recommend reading the book, but if you're serious about self-reliance in the forest, use this as a supplement and not a guide.
Overall, I'd recommend reading the book, but if you're serious about self-reliance in the forest, use this as a supplement and not a guide.
July 30, 2007
not going to lie... I definitely carried this book around with me as I was teaching nature earlier this summer and fell in love and bought my own copy. In turn, my dad and I walked around with this on our weekend walks together and we got distracted by every plant we saw and wondered if it was edible... good times!
April 6, 2010
My second favorite field guide next to Billy Joe Tatum's field guide, which is out of print. I like the addition of color photographs for this guide. I just wish there were photos for everything and that it were organized a little differently. Other than that, it is a good guide and compact enough to take on a hike. I plan to get the Peterson's guide for medicinal herbs, as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews