Foraging Wild Edible Plants, Mushrooms & Wild Foods

The Praiseworthy Puffball A Great Beginners Edible Mushroom

August 6, 2022 rpolipnick Foraging Wild Edible Plants and Mushrooms, Wild Edible Mushrooms Foraging Guides

Long before my venture into the foraging world I was vaguely aware of the edibility of the common yard puffball. In general, my family was averse to the harvesting of wild mushrooms. However, the puffball did receive notable mention from my grandmother when I was a child. That was the first and for a long-time last mention of wild edible mushrooms outside of course of the very popular morel. As I began to explore the world of wild mushroom hunting the puffball, being common in my area, was a great fist run at the collection and preparation of edible mushrooms. It took very little research to understand the identification and edibility of these little white wonders and again in my[…]

The Beautiful Catesby’s lily (Lilium catesbaei)

November 1, 2021 rpolipnick Foraging Wild Edible Plants and Mushrooms

Wild edible plants and mushrooms are typically our topic of discussion. However In a few recent videos and photos a beautiful Lily has graced us with its presence. Since it is not an edible plant I have not mentioned it much beyond its name. Today after enjoying another bloom of this magnificent plant I wanted to take a moment to feature it. This beautiful Lily is known as Catesby’s Lily, pine lily, leopard lily, tiger lily and southern-red lily. It loves to show off its large flowers that have six bright reddish-orange and reflexed tepals which are yellow with purple spots at their inner base and is the largest flower of any North American lily. Their Stamen is also conspicuous,[…]

Water to table: Forage, fish, and cook

October 25, 2021 rpolipnick Foraging Wild Edible Plants and Mushrooms, Wild Food Recipes with Foraged Ingredients

With clouds in the sky and rain in the forecast my decision was made. Stay home and do very little. The problem was I had been home and off the water for a couple months now due to a nearly life ending bout with covid-19. The day before I had forced myself to go out into the garage and organize my gear which would uncover the kayak. This was intended to motivate me to get back on the water but seemed to have failed. Finally after arguing with myself for some time I decided to simply go for a drive. Just in case the motivation hit me I also loaded up my fishing and foraging gear as well. After driving[…]

A Few Friends We Have Met Along The Way

April 24, 2021 rpolipnick Foraging Wild Edible Plants and Mushrooms

It’s always an adventure, that’s what we have said for over twenty years of marriage. In recent years we have moved from Minnesota to Alaska and then from Alaska to Florida. Before that our love of the outdoors took us all over the country. I have fished, hunted and foraged across the country and am looking forward to many more years of adventures. Time in the wild is critical if you are going to have encounters with wildlife. Sure, anyone can happen across a bear or deer. However to truly have a long list of unique and great stories you have to get out into the wild. In my short time in Florida I have encountered two panthers, this in[…]

Foraging and Using Water-Purslane: Identification, Culinary and Medicinal Uses

March 19, 2021 rpolipnick Foraging Wild Edible Plants and Mushrooms, Wild Edible Plants Foraging and Identification Guides

Foraging for wild edible plants brings endless joy: time outdoors, the thrill of discovery, and the satisfaction of finding new, edible species. But when foraging unfamiliar plants, caution is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. On a recent urban stealth camping trip, I came across a plant that resembled purslane at first glance. Its stem looked familiar, but the leaves seemed off. Intrigued, I photographed the plant from all angles and submitted it to an online plant identification forum. After some back and forth, one user suggested it might be Lythrum portula, also known as water-purslane. Further research confirmed this identification. Lythrum portula, a flowering plant in the loosestrife family, is native to Europe and has spread to[…]