The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America

by François Couplan

Discusses edible plant species, including etymology, location, uses of each part, history of the uses, medicinal uses, and possible toxicity.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879838213
• ISBN13: 9780879838218
• Release Date: November 1998
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 592 Pages
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 7.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive and Informative

This book is an excellent reference for food uses of thousands of common edible North American plant species. It is not a field guide -- i.e. it is not meant to help you identify plants -- it is a REFERENCE to help you determine the uses of plants you already know how to identify. For the most part, the few pictures suck, but this doesn't matter -- just use this book along with a good field guide for your region (if you are in the Rockies, Pacific NW, the check out the Lone Pine field guides). If you are in the Eastern U.S., the Peterson guides can't be beat. Anyhow, coupled with a good field guide, this book is extremely informative and useful.

An Encyclopedia, best used as a cross reference.

This book is what it says it is, an encyclopedia. It provides very detailed descriptions on a very large database of plants. It would be close to impossible to use alone as a means of identifying plants in the field, so it is best used as a cross reference to a field guide. Recommended field guides would be "A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America" by the Petersons, and "Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West", By Gregory L. Tilford for the western region. I have all three of these, and use the two field guides for identification purposes, and the Encyclopedia for verification and usage.

unbelievable

Although it lacks color pictures, it is by far the most complete listing of edible plants that I've ever seen (over 4000 plants covered) and tells you how to identify and use EVERY part of a plant from the Flower to the Leaf to the Bark to the Root (and any other part that may be usable) If your into long term survival or just want a snack on the trail, this book has it covered.

The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America

The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America, by Francois Couplan, Ph.D. is "a reference for all people interested in learning about the numerous opportunities nature offers us in the form of healthful, intriguing, often delicious vegetables and fruits that we do not have to grow to enjoy." Couplan provides information for approximately 4000 varieties of wild plants, much of it based on his personal experience. An ethnobotanist, Couplan began writing his Encyclopedia 25 years ago. During that time he traveled extensively, spending "a lot of time in the woods with very little in my backpack, finding my food in the plants I gathered." He took copious notes and presented "wild gastronomy" workshops, while also continuing his academic research and studies. Plants are listed by their Latin names, however the index includes the common names. Information for each plant includes a rating of how edible it is, how abundant it is, and where it grows. Etymology of most names are provided also; thus readers learn that dandelion comes from the French words for lion's tooth, because of the shape of the leaves. Couplan describes how to prepare edible parts of the plant, and how they taste. He also discusses the nutritive values and medicinal properties of each plant. Where relevant, he provides information on other uses, such as dyes, soaps, and basketry. Endangered species are noted. The book does not include illustrations and is not intended for use as an identification manual. Anyone who has ever wondered if a particular plant could be eaten, or how to harvest and prepare it, will find The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America informative and interesting. People wishing to add a little variety to their diet will find lots of suggestions, and those who use plants for healing will appreciate the medicinal details.

Good, but NOT a field guide

This book is big and almost too thorough. It really is like an encyclopedia. It includes lots of plants which are only marginally edible and hard to find. On the other hand, you will have a hard time finding an edible plant out there that is not listed. There are some illustrations, but they are not useful for identifying the plants -- you will definitely need a field guide if you are just getting started and don't know much about identification. The book is interspersed with historical information and anecdotes which add a lot to the whole picture of a plant, as well as making it a bit easier to remember. This book is best read in tandem with another book that takes the topic from a different perspective.