The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America (Paperback)

by Francois Couplan (Author), James Duke (Foreword) "The leafy aerial stems of L. selago have reportedly been eaten by Chippewa Indians after cooking..." (more)
Key Phrases: following native species, few local species, undetermined plant, North America, United States, South America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
From horsetails, ferns, and conifers to shrubs, vines, and herbaceous species, this guide describes how to find, identify, and use hundreds of plants as tasty morsels.

About the Author
McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Product Details

• Paperback: 584 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill or Keats Publishing; 1 edition (November 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879838213
• ISBN-13: 978-0879838218
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,600 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

107 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, but NOT a field guide, June 10, 1999

By	devin vagt (ukiah,CA) - See all my reviews

This book is big and almost too thorough. It really is like an encyclopedia. It includes lots of plants which are only marginally edible and hard to find. On the other hand, you will have a hard time finding an edible plant out there that is not listed. There are some illustrations, but they are not useful for identifying the plants -- you will definitely need a field guide if you are just getting started and don't know much about identification. The book is interspersed with historical information and anecdotes which add a lot to the whole picture of a plant, as well as making it a bit easier to remember. This book is best read in tandem with another book that takes the topic from a different perspective.

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Encyclopedia, best used as a cross reference., May 13, 2005

By	Scott A (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This book is what it says it is, an encyclopedia. It provides very detailed descriptions on a very large database of plants. It would be close to impossible to use alone as a means of identifying plants in the field, so it is best used as a cross reference to a field guide. Recommended field guides would be "A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America" by the Petersons, and "Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West", By Gregory L. Tilford for the western region. I have all three of these, and use the two field guides for identification purposes, and the Encyclopedia for verification and usage.

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America, February 28, 2001

By	Cassandra Barnes "Cassandra" (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America, by Francois Couplan, Ph.D. is "a reference for all people interested in learning about the numerous opportunities nature offers us in the form of healthful, intriguing, often delicious vegetables and fruits that we do not have to grow to enjoy."

Couplan provides information for approximately 4000 varieties of wild plants, much of it based on his personal experience.

An ethnobotanist, Couplan began writing his Encyclopedia 25 years ago. During that time he traveled extensively, spending "a lot of time in the woods with very little in my backpack, finding my food in the plants I gathered." He took copious notes and presented "wild gastronomy" workshops, while also continuing his academic research and studies.

Plants are listed by their Latin names, however the index includes the common names.

Information for each plant includes a rating of how edible it is, how abundant it is, and where it grows. Etymology of most names are provided also; thus readers learn that dandelion comes from the French words for lion's tooth, because of the shape of the leaves.

Couplan describes how to prepare edible parts of the plant, and how they taste. He also discusses the nutritive values and medicinal properties of each plant. Where relevant, he provides information on other uses, such as dyes, soaps, and basketry. Endangered species are noted. The book does not include illustrations and is not intended for use as an identification manual.

Anyone who has ever wondered if a particular plant could be eaten, or how to harvest and prepare it, will find The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America informative and interesting. People wishing to add a little variety to their diet will find lots of suggestions, and those who use plants for healing will appreciate the medicinal details.