Edible wild plants in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — West Virginia is home to a variety of wild plants, from weeds and mushrooms to fruits and roots, but those out in the wilderness may not know which are edible.

Ramps

Though similar to wild onions or leeks, ramps have a more garlicy taste and are often collected when their green shoots grow out of the forest ground. Both the leaves and bulbs are edible.

Pokeweed

This greens’ young leaves and stems are sometimes used as a spinach substitute. However, the root and berries are poisonous, as is the rest of the plant once it matures and develops a reddish color.

Mustard

Black Mustard is a wild weed whose seeds can be used to create a natural mustard. People also like to cook up the greens of young mustard plants.

Dandelion

The young leaves of the common dandelion are what people most often prepare and eat. However, leaves have also been used to make tea, and the main bloom is a key ingredient in dandelion wine.

Marsh Marigold

Poisonous if eaten raw, people can consume the plant’s young leaves and its flower, with proper preparation.

Quickweed

A prolific weed, the young plant can be eaten easily enough after cooking, though its taste has been described as nondistinctive.

Plantain

The leaves of the common dooyard plantain are most often cooked, though more mature leaves can require extra effort to become desirable.

Fireweed

The young plants are usually prepared as a decent spinach substitute, though its leaves can be used for tea or its flowers for salads. The pith of the mature plant can also be enjoyed, after a bit of peeling.

Nettles

This common annoyance for pants can actually be eaten, or at least the young tender ones after a bit of preparation.

Chickweed

Its greens are described as a great salad ingredient and excellent replacement for spinach.

Black Locust

A surprising meat substitute is the white flowers of this plant, after proper preparation.

Fiddleheads

The young fiddleheads of cinnamon and bracken ferns can create a dressing when cooked or eaten raw in salads after some preparation.

Shepherd’s Purse

A weed in the mustard family, different parts of shepherd’s purse can be eaten . The early spring leaves are edible and its peppery seedpods can be added to salads.

Pigweed

Some varieties of pigweed (amaranth) can be mildly toxic in large quantities , but of the kinds that can be consumed, the plant is almost totally edible and very nutritious, from the leaves to the seeds .

Lambs Quarters

An ancient food item , young plants and their seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. Although, the older leaves and stems are not edible.

Docks

A great many varieties of docks exist , but the lemony young leaves as well as the stems and seeds are usually edible.

Sheepsoil (Sheep’s Sorrel)

Fresh leaves from sheepsoil can be a sour addition to a salad or cooked by themselves.

Stone Crop

The stems and leaves of its young plants can be eaten raw, though as it ages — specifically before it flowers — it becomes necessary to cook. Otherwise, the leaves can cause stomach aches.

Common Blue Violet

The young leaves and flower buds of the common blue violet can all be eaten, though the roots can be slightly poisonous . Its leaves can also be used in tea.

Morel Mushroom

A common find in West Virginia, these can be prepared and eaten like any other edible mushroom.

Puffball Mushroom

Must be eaten while the inside of the ball is still white and firm.

Sulphur-fungus

Described as tasting like chicken, this fungus can be found growing on rotting wood.

Honey Mushroom

The above ground portion of the mushroom can be eaten.

Spring Beauty

The base of the plant can be eaten raw or prepared into a potato substitute, though the greens may cause stomach cramps.

Fawn Lily

Though the rest of the plant should be avoided, the bulbs of the wildflower can be prepared before eating.

Queen Anne’s Lace

A kind of wild carrot whose roots can be eaten, even if its an acquired taste.

Arrow Leaf

The root-stalks/tubers of this plant can be prepared and eaten like potatoes.

Cow Lily

This plant’s roots can be cooked up or made into a flour while its seeds can be sizzled like popcorn, though removing the shells is recommended.

Cattails

A super versatile wild food, the young shoots of this plant can be cooked or eaten raw, its young flower stalks can be cooked, female flowers can be eaten raw and the roots can be cooked or dried. Even the pollen can be used in a flour mix.

Wild Onions

Similar to ramps, they can be eaten raw or prepared for an assortment of foods.

Fruits (various)

Eaten as you would any other fruit, this includes strawberries, persimmons, blackberries, raspberries, dewberries, paw paws, gooseberries, teaberries, blueberries, wild cherries, elderberries and grapes. Sarvisberries can be eaten just fine, though they may have a worm inside, which is also perfectly fine to eat.

Acorns

Acorns are a popular wild food, most notably as a source of flour. However, acorns from red oak trees need a bit of preparation before use.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

The fleshy stem that peaks out, called a spadix , can be boiled and dried to make chips or flour. However, those handling the plant should wear gloves as it has a number of toxic tricks up its sleeve .

Skunk Cabbage

Eating it raw can produce a burning sensation in the mouth , but the roots and young leaves can be prepared to mitigate this effect. The roots can also be made into flour.

New Jersey Tea

Just as it says in the name, this plant’s leaves can be used to make tea .

Sassafras

Its edible leaves have a variety of uses, including as a tea.

Birch Tree

The twigs and leaves can all be eaten, while the bark is commonly used for flour. Meanwhile, the sap can be made into syrups, drinks, chewing gum and sweeteners .

Chicory

The young leaves of this plant can be eaten raw while the older leaves can be cooked to reduce its bitterness. Even its roots can be used for coffee .

Smooth and Stag Horn Sumacs

For smooth sumac , the young sprouts can be eaten raw while the fruit can be chewed or made into a drink. As for stag horn sumac , the fruit can also be made into a drink similar to lemonade.

Tree Sap (various)

Like with the birch tree, sap is often collected from various trees to produce sweet sugar and syrups, though it is most commonly done with Sugar Maple and Box Elder trees. In fact, the sugar maple is West Virginia’s state tree.

Red Spruce Tree

You can get natural chewing gum from the oozing wounds of Red Spruce trees.

This is just a selection of the many plants you can find in the Mountain State. To learn different ways of preparing these plants, check out the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s list or any number of recipes shared online.

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