Buy used:
$29.94
Delivery December 2 - 23
Or fastest delivery December 3 - 18
Used: Very Good | Details
Sold by Growing Knowledge
Fulfilled by Amazon
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Lightly used, no writing or highlights in text, some wear to cover

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Thomas S. Elias
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide Paperback – December 31, 1990

by Thomas S. Elias (Author), Peter A. Dykeman (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 113 ratings
See all formats and editions

Already a huge success in previous editions, this must-have field guide now features a fresh new cover, as well as nearly 400 color photos and detailed information on more than 200 species of edible plants all across North America. With all the plants conveniently organized by season, enthusiasts will find it very simple to locate and identify their desired ingredients. Each entry includes images, plus facts on the plant’s habitat, physical properties, harvesting, preparation, and poisonous look-alikes. The introduction contains tempting recipes and there’s a quick-reference seasonal key for each plant.

“Season-by-season guide to identification, harvest, and preparation of more than 200 common edible plants to be found in the wild....Hundreds of edible species are included....[This] handy paperback guide includes jelly, jam, and pie recipes, a seasonal key to plants, [and a] chart listing nutritional contents.”—Booklist. “[Five hundred] beautiful color photographs...temptingly arranged.”—The Library Letter
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    286 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Union Square & Co.
  4. Publication date
    December 31, 1990
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0806974885
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0806974880
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Union Square & Co.; English Language edition (December 31, 1990)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0806974885
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0806974880
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 113 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Thomas S. Elias

Thomas S. Elias

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Dr. Thomas S. Elias was Director of the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC for over 16 years. A native of Illinois, Dr. Elias received his Ph.D. in Biology with a dissertation on the taxonomic study of the genus of plants in the coffee family in 1969. An acclaimed expert on regional trees and plants, Dr. Elias has numerous publications to his credit including two esteemed field guides: The Complete Trees of North America, Field Guide and Natural History and Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. Because of his distinguished accomplishments in the field of wild plants, foraging, plant science and horticulture, he was honored by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists with their Cooley Award and by the New York Botanical Garden with a Distinguished Service Award. He also has a special interest in the art of bonsai, playing a key role in the development and oversight of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and regularly contributing to Bonsai Magazine as well as the National Bonsai Federation’s Bulletin. He lives in Claremont, California with his wife.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
113 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book has lots of information and is comprehensive. They appreciate the excellent photos and line drawings. Readers also praise the descriptions of the plants as spot-on and engaging. They say it's useful for accurate identification and easy to use.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Information contentPhotographyColor picturesDescription qualityAccuracyValue for money
16 customers mention "Information content"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has lots of information and good descriptions. They also appreciate the color photos and in-depth information about each plant. Readers mention the book is comprehensive and easy to use.

"...I give this five stars for photography, information, and an easy to use reference book.Victoria Tarrani" Read more

"...Of all the books I have this is the most comprehensive and easy to use, given its portability, with exactly the right balance between narrative and..." Read more

"...Has colored pictures and maps on where they grow. A lot of information. Had one but was starting to come apart due to use. So bought another one." Read more

"...shipping was a bit slow it came in almost unused condition and is very informative for anyone withan interest in edible plants...." Read more

8 customers mention "Photography"6 positive2 negative

Customers find the photography excellent. They say the book looks good and is detailed. Readers also appreciate the great picture of Death Camass that grows in the west and northwestern states.

"...There is a great picture of the Death Camass that grows in the west and north west states, as indicated by the map...." Read more

"...an interest in edible plants. It also warns of poisonous and look-alike plants that are dangerous. It does not have mushrooms but that doesn't..." Read more

"...The book otherwise looks pretty good and is very detailed." Read more

"Comprehensive, excellent photos, portable, my go-to..." Read more

7 customers mention "Color pictures"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the color pictures in the book. They say it has good descriptions and lots of photos of each plant to make identification easier.

"This book is GREAT! Has colored pictures and maps on where they grow. A lot of information. Had one but was starting to come apart due to use...." Read more

"...I also prefer books with good descriptions, lots of photos of each plant to make identification easier, and to cover the plant from identification..." Read more

"I am really glad that I purchased this. The color photos and the in depth information about each plant are really helpful...." Read more

"The book has lots of colorful pictures which makes it great for easy identification of the plants...." Read more

5 customers mention "Description quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the descriptions in the book good, spot-on, and easy to read. They also say the author has the most engaging writing style of all the wild food authors. Readers mention the book lists where the plants can be found, when they grow, and how best to use them. They appreciate the right balance between narrative and photos/illustrations.

"...Additionally, there are many details about the plants, such as what part to eat and whether it can be a full meal or just a salad...." Read more

"...and easy to use, given its portability, with exactly the right balance between narrative and photos/illustrations...." Read more

"This book is GREAT! Has colored pictures and maps on where they grow. A lot of information. Had one but was starting to come apart due to use...." Read more

"...Not only are his pictures only second to those of Kallas, his descriptions are spot on, and reading his books are like reading one of your favorite..." Read more

4 customers mention "Accuracy"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book useful for accurate identification of widely available plants. They appreciate the pictures, which make it great for easy identification.

"...at various stages of growth, good selection of plants, and done with accuracy...." Read more

"...Colored pictures of the most widely available plants is useful for accurate identification...." Read more

"...book has lots of colorful pictures which makes it great for easy identification of the plants...." Read more

"Excellent field guide with color photos for easy identification of plants. We will be using this for homeschool starting this summer." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth the price.

"...The section on Oaks and acorns are worth the price of the book by it self let alone the numerous other plants in it...." Read more

"good old book with color pictures! well worth the price" Read more

"good book and worth the buy" Read more

Wonderful Book
5 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Book
Product came heavily damaged from the post, with the paper cover having a large rip in it and the body of the book having a plethora of dents and dings. All of this seems arbitrary when compared to what is inside. All internal pages are in perfect glossy condition. There are five different ways you can search for a plant you are wondering about, and this book even includes a section on 20 poisonous look-alike plants. There are also two pages in my book that are in black and white, while the rest of the book is in full color. Not sure what that is about but I do not mind very much.Recommended for hikes!
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Victoria Tarrani
5.0 out of 5 stars Survival guide -- or what to eat when...
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2002
Verified Purchase
While you may find that something that is growing in your own back yard could cut down on the grocery bill, this book is also a great tool for a writer, and that is my view.
Wild Plants is divided by seasons, and what is edible just in case you are surviving in nature's wonderland without fast food places just three miles down the road. On the other hand, what to eat when a flood in ... well, any place that strands your protagonists for weeks.
The color photographs show the shapes and colors of the leaves and berries, which makes describing a meal easier. A map of the U. S. is coded to show you where the plants are likely to grow. Additionally, there are many details about the plants, such as what part to eat and whether it can be a full meal or just a salad. One of the most important details included about the plants is a list of poisonous look-alikes. For example the Eastern camass, Camass Lily is edible during all seasons; the baked bulbs are very dark and sugary, but baking to perfection takes 1-3 days. However, the bulbs are palatable raw, or can be boiled in 25-30 minutes. The look-alike Death Camass has several differences, one being that the edible plant has blue flowers in the spring; so what does your hungry character eat while escaping?
A section about poisonous plants describes twenty that are toxic, and that grow beside the ones you can eat. Nature provides its own clue about the plants. By watching what and when the birds and wild life eat the odds decrease of choosing the wrong plant. There is a great picture of the Death Camass that grows in the west and north west states, as indicated by the map. "All twelve of the native Zigadenus species should be considered extremely poisonous." They contain alkaloids that can cause gastrointestinal distress that can lead to death.
Enjoy the recipes, or cook them up for your characters. I give this five stars for photography, information, and an easy to use reference book.
Victoria Tarrani
30 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
CHemenway
5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, excellent photos, portable, my go-to
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love foraging, but want to make sure I won’t die from what I pick, lol. Of all the books I have this is the most comprehensive and easy to use, given its portability, with exactly the right balance between narrative and photos/illustrations. Its entries are very nicely organized. It doesn’t cover the full range of edibles, of course, but I wanted something I could take with me on excursions and this does the job. I also very much appreciate the author’s focus on being a responsible forager and respecting property, laws, and the ecosystem. I’ve given it as gifts to like-minded lovers of Gaia’s bounty.
Helpful
 Report
Pam Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT book
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book is GREAT! Has colored pictures and maps on where they grow. A lot of information. Had one but was starting to come apart due to use. So bought another one.
Helpful
 Report
Karl H. Mueller
4.0 out of 5 stars When out afield, you should know what plants are ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2015
Verified Purchase
When out afield, you should know what plants are safe to eat, and what are dangerous.
A must for any hiking event or wilderness person.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
D. Dunn
5.0 out of 5 stars FIELD GUIDE!!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
There are books with more information. They are larger and and one of them has tiny print trying to make it a field guide. But this book IS my field guide. I have multiple copies after I wore out the first one. I wish other companies would look at this field guide and make an updated version of this book, BUT... Spiral binding and a larger companion book reference for at home (more cooking information)..AND.....a phone app to go with it. Buy the books, get use of App which IDs plants using AI and puts the book on the phone. Same information presented 3 ways.
Helpful
 Report
John
5.0 out of 5 stars A good book with clear information and color pictures.
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
Very happy with it. Priced right though shipping was a bit slow it came in almost unused condition and is very informative for anyone with
an interest in edible plants. It also warns of poisonous and look-alike plants that are dangerous. It does not have mushrooms but that doesn't
bother me as they aren't really plants and make me nervous as a wild picked food.
9 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Ethan Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
Product came heavily damaged from the post, with the paper cover having a large rip in it and the body of the book having a plethora of dents and dings. All of this seems arbitrary when compared to what is inside. All internal pages are in perfect glossy condition. There are five different ways you can search for a plant you are wondering about, and this book even includes a section on 20 poisonous look-alike plants. There are also two pages in my book that are in black and white, while the rest of the book is in full color. Not sure what that is about but I do not mind very much.
Recommended for hikes!
Customer image
Ethan Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2017
Product came heavily damaged from the post, with the paper cover having a large rip in it and the body of the book having a plethora of dents and dings. All of this seems arbitrary when compared to what is inside. All internal pages are in perfect glossy condition. There are five different ways you can search for a plant you are wondering about, and this book even includes a section on 20 poisonous look-alike plants. There are also two pages in my book that are in black and white, while the rest of the book is in full color. Not sure what that is about but I do not mind very much.
Recommended for hikes!
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
18 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Purchase
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on August 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
Only downside with this book is the print size is too small.
Report