Prickly pear cactus plant (Opuntia species) The Prickly Pear (or Paddle) cactus has flat, padlike stems that are green. The Prickly Pear has two kinds of spines – hard, fixed spines and small, hairlike prickles that easily penetrate the skin and detach from the plant. The plants grow in dense, tangled structures with each plant…
Tag: central america
Pokeweed – the edible plant that also makes an excellent poison (good for dye and maybe even arthritis too)
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) The Pokeweed plan, also known as Virginia Poke, American Nightshade, Cancer Jalap, Coakum Garget, Inkberry, Pigeon Berry, Pokerood, Pokeberry, Redweed, Scoke, and Red Ink Plant, may grow as high as 3 meters (9 feet). It has a large white taproot and green or pinkish red (as it matures) stems. Its coarsely textured,…
Pine trees – pine provides a bounty of uses in survival situations.
Pine trees are easily recognized by their needle-like leaves grouped in bundles. Each bundle may contain one to five needles, the number varying among species. They are a resinous tree growing up to 250 feet tall. The tree’s odor and sticky sap provide a simple way to distinguish pines from similar looking trees with needle-like…
Pincushion cactus – edible wild plant – how to find, identify, prepare, and other uses for survival.
Pincushion cactus plant (Mammilaria species) The Pincushion Cactus, also known as Nipple Cactus or Fishhook Cactus, are round, short, globe shaped to barrel-shaped, and without leaves. Sharp spines cover the entire plant. The roots are fibrous or fleshy. They may grow to over 3 feet but most grow to about 6-8 inches in height by…
Papaya or pawpaw – edible wild plant – how to find, identify, prepare, and other uses for survival.
Papaya or pawpaw tree plant (Carica papaya) The papaya is a large, tree-like plant growing 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet) tall, with a soft, hollow trunk. When cut, the entire plant exudes a milky juice. The trunk is rough and scarred (where leaves and fruit were born). Its large leaves (20-28 inches…
Palmetto palm – edible wild plant – how to find, identify, prepare, and other uses for survival.
Palmetto palm tree plant (Sabal palmetto) The palmetto palm (also known as cabbage palm, palmetto, cabbage palmetto, palmetto palm, blue palmetto, Carolina palmetto, common palmetto, swamp cabbage and sabal palm) is a tall, unbranched tree with persistent rounded fan leaf bases on most of the trunk. The Palmetto Palm may grow up to 90 feet…
Oak trees – the many uses of oak in a survival situation (yes, it’s even edible).
Oak tree (Quercus species) Oak trees have alternate leaves and edible acorn fruits. The leaves of the Oak may have serrated edges or may have smooth edges. The flowers are catkins produced in the Spring season. The fruit is a nut called an acorn. It is held in a cup-like structure with each acorn containing…
Nettle – this prickly plant is edible (and nutritious), and its fibers can be used to weave string or twine
Malanga – edible wild plant – how to find, identify, prepare, and other uses for survival.
About the Malanga plant The Malanga (Xanthosoma) plant, also known as Melanga, Otoy, Otoe, New Cocoyam, Tannia, Tannier, Yautia, Macabo, Taioba, Dasheen, Quequisque, or Singapore Taro, is a popular cuisine in many countries around the world. This plant has soft, arrow-shaped leaves up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) long. The large leaves sprout from an…










