Pokeweed
Sep 21, 2019 15:07:17 #
I have cut a long winding trail in the woods on my property. It's got to be about a mile long. There are deeply shaded canopies and an open abandoned corn field. My doctor (PCP) is familiar with the property because he once considered buying it. Last week he advised me to walk it every day. I do it in the morning while it's still cool. This morning I brought my favorite hiking lens, a tiny Minolta 35~70mm with a limited "macro" mode. I took the attached photo of a Pokeweed growing on the side of my trail. The dirt trail is out of focus but can be seen.
Sep 21, 2019 15:16:02 #
Sep 21, 2019 15:21:00 #
Sep 21, 2019 15:22:53 #
Sep 21, 2019 15:32:00 #
Agree that the berries are poison, as is the mature leaves and stalk. Supposedly, the early green shoots are edible, but the process is complicated and the negative possibilities rife. Tony Joe White writes about "Pokesalad Annie" who gathers it. From my understanding, and also the lyrics "Pick her a mess of it" "Carry it home and cook it for supper" "Because that's about all they had to eat." You'd have to be pretty desperate to eat it. BTW, nice photo, Dave.
Sep 21, 2019 15:33:50 #
Sep 21, 2019 15:34:18 #
Sep 21, 2019 16:01:29 #
Sep 21, 2019 16:51:50 #
Dave, the Pokeberry shot is very nice. You path sounds like it will continue to provide new and interesting photo ops as time goes on.
Sep 21, 2019 17:48:29 #
Cwilson341 wrote:
Dave, the Pokeberry shot is very nice. You path sounds like it will continue to provide new and interesting photo ops as time goes on.
It already has. I first started working on it about 7 years ago. It has interesting trees and vegetation that changes with the seasons. The woods are also populated with wild life. I have photographed deer and wild turkey, etc. I have even seen signs of fox, coyote, and even a bear, but they can hear me so I never see them. I have seen their foot prints in the snow and mud. I also have straight level 50 yard section where I can zero weapons. It's fun to hike in the winter during a heavy snow storm but I learned how dangerous hiking in the snow can be when big trees crashed down near me! I have had friends who hiked it with me remark that "You have made your own little section of paradise."
Sep 21, 2019 18:01:43 #
John_F wrote:
Are they edible?
Actually, the pulp of the berries is not poisoness. It is the seeds that are poison.
That, in part, is why birds can eat the berries. They do not crush the seeds.
Only fresh shoots are edible, but edible and tasty are not the same thing.
Skunk cabbage is edible, but lives up to it's name.
Bill
Sep 21, 2019 18:06:20 #
newtoyou wrote:
Actually, the pulp of the berries is not poisoness. It is the seeds that are poison.
That, in part, is why birds can eat the berries. They do not crush the seeds.
Only fresh shoots are edible, but edible and tasty are not the same thing.
Skunk cabbage is edible, but lives up to it's name.
Bill
That, in part, is why birds can eat the berries. They do not crush the seeds.
Only fresh shoots are edible, but edible and tasty are not the same thing.
Skunk cabbage is edible, but lives up to it's name.
Bill
I would not touch Pokeweed for food at all.
Collard greens are not on my list either....
No matter how much bacon someone puts in with them.
Sep 21, 2019 18:14:55 #
newtoyou wrote:
Actually, the pulp of the berries is not poisoness. It is the seeds that are poison.
That, in part, is why birds can eat the berries. They do not crush the seeds.
Only fresh shoots are edible, but edible and tasty are not the same thing.
Skunk cabbage is edible, but lives up to it's name.
Bill
That, in part, is why birds can eat the berries. They do not crush the seeds.
Only fresh shoots are edible, but edible and tasty are not the same thing.
Skunk cabbage is edible, but lives up to it's name.
Bill
Interesting! I knew that some birds could eat the berries. Now I know why. I think I remember my father cooking young poke with black eyed peas. The peas/beans were okay if you put enough salt on them. The poke was not very tasty.
Sep 21, 2019 18:27:47 #
A deer on the same trail where the poke berries grow. Taken out my window. You can clearly see the beginning of the trail.
Sep 21, 2019 18:38:52 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.