Wild Cards: Edible Wild Foods (All Ages) [Cards]

Linda Runyon (Author)

Book Description

Series: All Ages | Publication Date: June 1, 1990

A playing card deck by Linda Runyon, with photos and descriptions of 52 different edible plants. Ideal for hikers, campers, survival experts, and gourmet cooks. Includes key chain for easy portability.

Product Details

• Cards
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems Inc. (June 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880795158
• ISBN-13: 978-0880795159
• Product Dimensions: 3.9 x 2.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Reference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These are awesome!, February 25, 2011

By 

Sergio Brown - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wild Cards: Edible Wild Foods (All Ages) (Cards)

I looked all over the web for the plants this deck contained and couldn't find a list so here you go:

Aloe
Amaranth
Arrowhead
Aster
Blackberry
Blueberry
Raspberry
Wild Strawberry
Birch
Bulrush
Burdock
Cattail
Chamomile
Chickweed
Chicory
Cholla
Clover (Red & White)
Daisy
Dandelion
Dock
Fir, Balsam
Fireweed
Goldenrod
Grape
Lamb's Quarters
Mallow
Maple
Meadowsweet
Milkweed
Mint
Mullein
Mustard
Nettle
Phragmites
Pine
Plantain
Prickly Pear
Primrose
Puslane
Queen Anne's Lace
Rose
Saguaro
Shepherd's Purse
Sumac
Sunflower
Thistle
Thyme
Violet
Wild Lettuce
Willow
Wintergreen
Yarrow

As other reviews state the info on these cards is really good - what to eat/harvest and some prep instructions. The cards are pretty nice quality and the chain is great. The card game is... well not really a game, but that's not why I got it. I just like a simple picture and identification details. If you are like me you will get more from these than a long boring edibles book. Use these to find the plants, then when you want to explore more recipes or plant details go to the book. I do agree with others that I wish more versions were made. A special deck for just the western and eastern US would be great. Also a fruit specific deck would be ideal.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I want more..., September 18, 2008

By 

Diane Kistner (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wild Cards: Edible Wild Foods (All Ages) (Cards)

I'm preparing survival vests for my DH and I so, if we have to evacuate for a hurricane or worse, we'll have what we need right there on us.

I got these cards thinking they would do double duty as an educational tool and also be something we could do with ourselves (play cards) if we don't have the electronics we've become accustomed to.

The cards are well designed and glossy, and the photographs are pretty representative. Each has a line drawing of the plant's range and a black and white field drawing. On the playing card marked side, the cards give info on what parts of the plant are edible, characteristics, uses, and preparation hints. One card has a summary of how to test out an unknown plant to see if you can eat it--if you get desperate!

The drilled hole through the left side of the cards and the chain are great, and they all fit into the cardboard pack with no problem. I wish I had several other kinds of survival decks, too, like maybe mushrooms, insects you can eat if you absolutely had to, maybe shelter-making and trap-setting decks, etc. Just any survival-type card decks would be fantastic, a different kind for each person in the family.

I think this deck would make an excellent gift, especially for those occasions where you're supposed to spend less than $10 and put the gift into the pot at the office. It would be a conversation piece at the least, and certainly would be very helpful if someone was stranded and needed to survive.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A compact source, December 11, 2007

By 

Interested Party - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Cards: Edible Wild Foods (All Ages) (Cards)

The pictures could be larger,with a larger card. A plain background behind the specimens would make them more plainly visable. If you purchase them, cut slots in the cardboard case. That will allow the cards to be stored in the case and removed for use. They are supplied with a small chain to keep them together. Their size is probably a trade off in portability (pocket sized).