What wild plants are edible in NC?

Answer 1

I live in Asheville, NC. Here on my parents' property, there grow many edible plants. Many parts of the dandelion are edible (the leaves make good salad greens). Also there are different varieties of wild lettuce, most of which should be harvested at a young age. Pokeweed is another wild green which needs harvest at a young age. Lambs-quarters have leaves which look like a duck's foot, and taste like spinach. Common Mullein is a plant with some edible parts, too.

Then you will find the many varieties of mint and mint relatives. One of the most prolific over here is a short, strong-smelling one called American False Pennyroyal, whose oil is toxic in relatively small quantities, and thus to be avoided in most cases. The mints are easily recognizable by their square stems and smells which can be tested by rubbing the leaves. The pennyroyal's oil is so volatile as to be smelled from fifteen feet away! Most mints may be dried and used in teas. Another interesting edible plant is sumac. The staghorn sumac has clusters of red fruit which can be steeped overnight in cold water and then strained to make a lemonade-like beverage. It can also be dried and saved for later use as seasoning. Clover leaves are edible, though they are bitter.

One plant called Epazote has strongly smelling resinous leaves--it is used in very small quantities as a seasoning for beans and guacamole.