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See also Edible
Berries and fruits Non
Edible Berries Poisonous
Berries and fruits Food
Sources Meat
Plants as food Edible Plants
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Back to Survival Trips
Edible Plants
There are many plants that may not be a familiar food
source and yet are safe and nutritious. In a survival situation you must develop
new food sources with caution. One way to help determine if it is edible is to
watch what other vegetarian animals are eating. Now mind you some animals
(Scavengers and carnivores) can safely eat things that would harm humans.
Testing New food sources: Test by
squashing the plant and place some material on a small spot of your skin, if no
reaction after a few hours, then touch it to your tongue to it check for
tingling or burning. Even if it seems harmless proceed only with extreme caution
and consume only a small quantity. Be aware that some plant can taste OK but cause
latent side effects some of which can be fatal. Other plants need to be peeled
or cooked (e.g.. cassava) to be safe. Because this is such a tricky subject we
encourage you to use caution and see our Legal
page.
Some of the photos can be clicked on to be enlarged.
Click the links to take you to additional information for this or a related
food source.
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Cabbage Palm
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The core of the crown in many types of palms trees ,
can be cut out and you will have a piece of palm heart about
5 pound in weight, It is best to choose trees that have a trunk no taller
than 6 feet. Cutting is difficult as the tree is very fibrous.
Unfortunately this kills the tree and should only be done in true survival
situations. See Saw Palmetto |
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Saw Palmetto
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These are
found in several of the Southern States and have cousins throughout the
tropics. The center spike (Unopened Leaf) of this plant can pulled
out of it and the tender white portion can be eaten raw or cooked This is
called palm heart or palm cabbage. Click on the photos to enlarge for a
clearer view. Note the poison oak in the picture of the spike. See also Cabbage
palm |
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Dandelions
Click this link
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Dandelions
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These plants have had a bad rap as a weed but they are grown
as a food source. Click the link to take you to a page that is dedicated
to this particular food source. |
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Palm Berries |
Many palms have seeds covered by a tasty fleshy
material, when they are fresh. The taste is similar to tropical mango.
However you must be warned that several of the berries can be irritating
(Fishtail) and still others have hallucinogenic qualities (Betel
palm). |
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Palm Nuts |
The seeds of the palm trees generally all have a meaty
substance in the center. We all know about coconuts and a similar
meat in in most palm nuts. Some palm nuts are covered by a thick layer
called a husk that must be removed first. |
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