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: south 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…
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…










