If you're ever unlucky enough to find yourself stranded in Florida's Everglades, you'll have to find something to eat. If you're uncomfortable with eating lizards and frogs (all of Florida's frogs are safe to eat), you might have to live on nearby plant life. Here are a few plants that are safe to eat in the wild, how to identify them, and the best ways to prepare them.
Beautyberry
This plant can be identified by its leaf arrangement. The leaves are positioned exactly opposite to each other, which is relatively unusual. The purple berries can be eaten raw but they taste better when made into jams, sauces, or wine (according to the internet). The berries are ripe in late summer and early fall.
Bracken fern
Bracken fern is definitely the most controversial plant on this list. Some say eat as much as you want while others say it should never be eaten under any circumstances. The controversy surrounds a chemical called ptalquiloside, a carcinogen. Though many people say it is not worth the risk, if prepared correctly, Bracken fern is basically harmless. The fiddleheads have to be blanched and sautéed in order to remove the carcinogens. The fiddleheads (wound up shoots) are the edible part of the plant and are best eaten when under 6 inches tall. Those who choose to eat it say that it tastes like a mix of asparagus and almonds. Bracken fern is found almost all over the world and is a staple food in many Asian countries.
Smilax
Smilax is a very common plant that is easy to identify. It is one of the few vines with thorns. The veins in the leaves seem to outline a regularly shaped leaf. Young smilax leaves can be cooked like spinach or eaten raw. The plant's root can be eaten like any other root vegetable, cooked or added to soups. Smilax is extremely common in wild Florida and is often a backyard nuisance.
Winged Sumac
The plant can be identified by looking at its leaves. The leaf's 'stem' looks especially wide, hence the name "winged sumac". Winged Sumac is famous for its role in "Indian Lemonade". The red cluster of berries, harvested in August, can be stewed in water to make a tart tea that is similar to lemonade. Its seeds can also be ground to make a lemon-like seasoning which is good on meat.
It is very important to be careful when eating things in the wild. If you're not 100% sure that what you're looking at is safe to eat, it's not worth the risk.
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all frogs are safe to eat? 🤢