There are hundreds of varieties of edible plants in the wilds of North America but the purpose of this book is to introduce the lost traveler only to those considered best fit emergency use in survival. Most grow plentifully throughout the continent and all can be used in emergency situations. The plants and trees listed below are found in most parts of North America although some are limited to the specific areas. Regional plants are identified as such. Certain parts of some plants are toxic and these are noted with a specially marked warning which points out the toxic parts.
There are several species of shrubs and trees that can be used for emergency foods through their inner bark and certain seeds. These are listed. In some trees, sap can be used as a quick energy food or as a sometimes palatable chewing gum. The root and bark of the white willow is an excellent course of ASA. If you are lost along the coast of B.C., Washington or Oregon or from Labrador to points south along the eastern seaboard, do not turn your nose up at seaweed and other forms of kelp. You enjoyed kelp within the past month and probably never knew it. The mayonnaise on your last sandwich and the ice cream you had for dessert likely contained agar which is made from algae and other forms of kelp.
If a person is so hopelessly lost that rescue will be a matter of a long time, he or she is advised to make ready for a lengthy stay in the bush--not everyone is fortunate enough to be rescued quickly. This means that survival may well depend on storing foods for future use, drying certain roots for flour and starch and drying seeds and leaves for use in teas and soups.
Survival is an extremely serious business and hard work is always a part of being found alive and well. Indeed, hard work is usually spells the difference between living and dying. Survival may well depend on how quickly--and how well--you learn to identify the plants which will keep you alive and how to avoid those which will kill you. . . |
