Common Plants to Forage, in your Backyard

There are hundreds of plants, that an experienced forager can easily identify, some of which have toxic look a likes that will cause adverse reactions to humans. I am going to list some of the more easily identified plants that can be found in multiple regions of the United States often overlooked as simple “weeds.” Anytime you are foraging though, you must be 100% certain of identification! The best practice is to use multiple sources for identification, and if unsure do not use!

Common Foraged Plants

*Note A lot of the "Uses" mentioned in this article are claims. Some have scientific research to back these and others do not. I do not have a medical degree, and I do not suggest you use this article as medical advise. 

Also, foraging from any area that is sprayed with herbicides, pesticide, or any high polluted areas including anywhere near heavy vehicle traffic is strongly advised against! 

Broadleaf Plantain – “The Cure All”

Health Benefits – Good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals including vitamin C and B6.  

Uses – Soothe bronchitis, burns, coughs, UTI’s, skin rashes, wound infection, and healing, insect bites.

Characteristics – Broad oval shaped leaves with 5-9 veins running from stem to tip. The flowers are dirty green with purple stamens.

Edible Parts – All parts can be eaten raw or cooked, the leaves are the most widely used, the stems are usually peeled before eating, and the seeds boiled or roasted. Older leaves can be fibrous but cooked are tender.

Look a Likes – Young leaves of Hosta plants may appear like plantain but are non-toxic.

Ramps – “Wild Leek”

Health Benefits – High values of selenium, chromium, vitamin A and C, and antioxidants.

Uses – Reduce inflammation and promote heart, skin, and eye health.

Characteristics – Leaves are a shiny green and arise straight from the bulb, they are slender flat and end in a point.   

Edible Parts – The leaves and bulbs are edible raw or cooked but harvesting the leaves only will ensure their sustainment to harvest again. Can be used as substitutes for both garlic and onions in any dish.

Look a Likes – Lily of the Valley (Poisonous) No bulb like ramps but have roots, A broken leaf has no smell while ramps will smell of onions

Wild Garlic – "meadow garlic" 

Health Benefits – Strong anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin A and C, calcium, iron, beta-carotene

Uses – Lower cholesterol and blood pressure, reduce inflammation, reduce insulin sensitivity, heart health, used same as store bought garlics.

Characteristics – The flowers are small, and purple cluster flowers on a think stalk. They are a bulbous plant with long pointed leaves. They have a very strong garlic smell.

Edible Parts – All parts of the plant are edible raw or cooked

Look a likes – Star of Bethlehem (Poisonous) Star of Bethlehem have white flowers with 6 pedals and have a distinct white rib running down the middle and do not produce a garlic smell.  

Death Camas - (Poisonous) - These have a V-shaped leaf structure that arises from a bulb. The leaves are not hollow like that of wild garlic and  like the Star of Bethlehem do not have the distinct garlic smell. 

Dandelions – “kids puffballs”

Health Benefits – Antioxidant properties, Vitamins A, B, C, and D and minerals iron, potassium, and zinc

Uses- Immune support, roots to detoxify liver and gallbladder, leaves kidney support. Stem sap used to treat rough callused skin

Characteristics – symmetrical yellow ray flower (no disk flowers) atop a single slender stem with a milky sap inside.

Edible Parts – All parts are edible raw or cooked. The leaves are often used for the tea, jams, jellies, and wine! The roots are often used as a coffee substitute.

Look a likes – Cat’s ear (can be toxic to some animals) similar flower head, but the stem are branching and not hollow. They also have deep notched hair leaves.

Morel Mushroom “Merkels”

You can read a full article on Morel mushrooms here, I wanted to add them on this list though due to their ability to grow almost anywhere, they are a great easily identifiable mushroom, and one of my absolute favorites.

Wild Strawberry “woodland strawberry”

Health Benefits – excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E, and the B9

Uses – The juice can have healing effects on inflamed sores or relieve sunburn. The tea from leaves can help with kidney and stomach issues.

Characteristics – Five rounded white petal flowers, with bright green three leaflet toothy leaves. Small red heart shaped fruits with tiny seeds on the outside.

Edible parts – Leaves, flowers, and fruits are all edible raw or cooked. Tea’s are usually made from the leaves dried or fresh or used in salads. The fruits are eating the same as traditional strawberries.

Look a likes – Mock Strawberry, These have yellow flowers with round hard seeds. They’re not toxic but are pretty tasteless unlike the extra sweet wild strawberry.

Wild violet “common blue violet”

Health benefits – soluble fiber, high in vitamins A and C, and rich in calcium and magnesium

Uses – mild pain relief and to ease headaches, lower cholesterol levels

Characteristics – Green heart shaped leaves that start at the crown, violet colored flower, and a leafless stalk.

Edible parts – Flowers and leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. (Roots of most violet species are toxic) made into teas, jelly, jam, and used as food garnish.  

Look a likes – Lesser celandine (Toxic) Similar leaves, but it has yellow flowers note*Note beginner foragers should only harvest violets once they have flowered to ensure proper identification

White Clover “Dutch Clover”

Health benefits – Vitamins A, B2, B3, C and E magnesium, potassium, chromium, and calcium

Uses – Cold, cough, fever, flower tea used for rheumatism and gout the plant also has cancer-preventative and antioxidant properties.  

Characteristics – 3 to 4 leaf shamrocks with a round head of white flowers found almost everywhere

Edible parts – The leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves can be dried for a vanilla flavor for baked goods or made into teas. Suggested to eat in moderation due to blood thinning effects reported in some individuals

Look a likes - Oxalis “yellow wood sorrel” (contains higher amounts of oxalic acid )  - oxalis can cause kidney issues, but are edible in small quanities. Leaflets of the oxalis are similar to the clover, but heart shaped (think of  a shamrock) vs rounded. The Oxalis also has little yellow flowers unlike the white ball flowers of the clover.

Cattail "Corndog Grass"

Health Benefits - beta carotene, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin C. 

Uses -  Sap can be used for toothaches and to keep wounds from becoming infected. Burning the leaves to cover a wound in ashes can also prevent infection, cancer prevention, good source of energy. Not only beneficial to health, cattail leaves are great to weave into baskets and mats. 

Characteristics - Aquatic plant with a long stem, the leaves are stiff and rounded on the back, and the very distinct cigar shaped flower towards the top.

Edible parts - The roots, stem, leaves, and flower are all edible.  Roots are best harvested in the fall but can be boiled, grilled, or dried and ground into flour.  Young stems can be cooked or eaten raw, usually cooked as you would asparagus. The leaves are often added to salads.  The flowers are great boiled, covered in butter, and eaten just like corn on the cob. 

Look a likes - Irish (Toxic) Iris can be mistaken for young cattails that have not developed the distinct brown cigar shaped flowers yet. The base of the iris is elliptical shaped vs. the oval shape of cattails, the iris leaves are diamond shaped not rounded as the cattail is. 

Foraging is such a wonderful skill to learn and be experienced at. The health benefits alone, make knowing which common plants are safe and which are not all worthwhile. Remember you must be 100% sure of what you are eating, cooking, or using due to many plants being similar in appearance to other plants. Have fun, make a game of it with your children, and go out and try some new foods!

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