Top 12 Edible North American Plants That Could Be In Your Yard Right Now!

 Do you love nature and food? If so, you might be interested in learning how to forage for edible plants in your backyard. Foraging is the practice of finding and harvesting wild food, such as fruits, nuts, mushrooms, and greens. It can be a fun and rewarding way to connect with nature, save money, and enjoy some delicious and nutritious food. However, foraging also requires some knowledge and skills, as not all plants are edible and some may even be poisonous. That’s why we have prepared this list of 12 common and easy to identify edible plants that you can find in North America. These plants are not only safe to eat, but also have various health benefits and culinary uses. So, grab your basket and let’s go foraging! 

Here are some of the most common and easy to identify plants that you can forage for food:

1. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): You can eat the leaves, flowers, and roots of this plant. They are high in vitamins A, C, and K, and have a slightly bitter taste. You can add them to salads, soups, or teas1.
   
   
   
2. Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album): This plant has triangular leaves that are green on top and white underneath. You can eat the young leaves and stems raw or cooked. They are high in protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin C, and have a spinach-like flavor1.
   
   
   
3. Plantain (Plantago major): This plant has broad, oval leaves with parallel veins. You can eat the leaves raw or cooked. They are high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin A, and have a mild flavor1.
   
   
   
4. Clover (Trifolium spp.): This plant has three-parted leaves and round flower heads that are usually white or pink. You can eat the leaves and flowers raw or cooked. They are high in protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin C, and have a sweet and sour taste1. 
   
   
   
   
   
5. Wild Onion (Allium spp.): This plant has grass-like leaves and a bulb that smells like onion. You can eat the leaves and bulbs raw or cooked. They are high in sulfur compounds, vitamin C, and antioxidants, and have an onion-like flavor12. 
   
   
   
6. Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana): This plant has three-parted leaves with toothed edges and white flowers with five petals. You can eat the red berries raw or cooked. They are high in vitamin C, manganese, and antioxidants, and have a sweet and tangy flavor12. 
   
   
   
7. Cattail (Typha latifolia): This plant has long, flat leaves and brown flower spikes that look like sausages. You can eat the young shoots, roots, and flower heads raw or cooked. They are high in starch, protein, and vitamin K, and have a mild and nutty flavor12. 
   
   
   
8. Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca): This plant has opposite leaves that are oval and hairy, and pink or purple flowers that form in clusters. You can eat the young shoots, leaves, flower buds, and pods cooked. They are high in vitamin C, calcium, iron, and magnesium, and have a slightly bitter taste12. Caution: Milkweed should be boiled in several changes of water to remove the toxins2.  
   
   
   
9. Burdock (Arctium minus): This plant has large, heart-shaped leaves that are hairy on the underside, and purple flowers that form burrs. You can eat the young roots and stems cooked. They are high in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6, and have a sweet and earthy flavor12.  
   
   
   
10. Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis): This plant has opposite leaves that are compound with five to nine leaflets each, and white flowers that form flat-topped clusters. You can eat the dark purple berries cooked or made into a jam1. They are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds3. Caution: The rest of the plant is toxic3. 
    
    
    
11. Wild Rose (Rosa spp.): This plant has alternate leaves that are compound with five to nine leaflets each, and pink or white flowers with five petals each. You can eat the red fruits called rose hips raw or cooked1. They are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds3. 
    
    
    
12. Nettle (Urtica dioica): This plant has opposite leaves that are oval and toothed, and tiny green flowers that form in clusters. You can eat the young leaves cooked1. They are high in protein, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, C ,and K3. Caution: The plant has stinging hairs that can cause skin irritation3. 
    
    
    

We hope you enjoyed this list of 12 edible plants that you can forage for food in your backyard. These plants are just a few examples of the many wild edibles that nature has to offer. By learning how to identify and use them, you can enrich your diet, your health, and your appreciation for nature. However, remember to always be careful when foraging for food, as some plants may have poisonous lookalikes or parts. Make sure you know what you are picking, and consult a reliable guide or expert if you are unsure. Also, be respectful of the environment and only harvest what you need, leaving some for the wildlife and other foragers. Happy foraging! 😊