Wild Edible Plants in Eastern North Carolina

There are many edible plants found in eastern North Carolina that are healthy and tasty. When looking for wild edibles always exercise extreme caution. Look-a-like plants can make identification difficult.

  1. Cattails

    • The spikes and shoots of the cattail can be sauteed or eaten raw. These shoots can be harvested throughout the spring season. In late spring the stalk of the cattail can be split to harvest the edible core or it can be prepared raw, boiled steamed or in soup. Cattail roots are tuberous and can be baked, roasted or eaten raw.

    Pine

    • Pine trees provide three edible portions: the inner bark, the seeds and the pine needles. The inner bark is fibrous and can be eaten raw or boiled. Pine seeds can be baked or eaten raw. To make pine needle, needles should be boiled or steeped for 10 to 15 minutes, and sweetened to taste.

    Acorns

    • Acorns are produced by oak trees. Acorns are one of the few wild edibles that can be stored for later use. Acorns provide many essential nutrients like protein, carbohydrates and amino acids. Special preparations must be made to remove the tannic acid from acorns as it is harmful to the human digestive system. Soaking the acorns in water for three days will remove enough of the tannic acid to make them safe.