Wild Edible Books and Guides

Even Experts use books like these. Whether you are just getting started, or looking to add to your knowledge; these books and field guides will surely please you. These are books that I personally recommend to everyone interested in foraging for food or medicine.

All photos and videos belong to Trillium: Wild Edibles; sources are given where otherwise. No use without permission; citation required.

Peterson Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern/Central U.S. - Lee Allen Peterson and Roger Tory Peterson

This is a really good resource for those just getting into wild edibles. This is one of the first books I bought on the subject. It contains over 300 plants in our area. It focuses primarily on identification, with a glossary of botanical terms which are used in the plants description. The book covers briefly food use and preparation. Though in this area it; like other field guides, leave a lot to be desired. However they are extremely useful for identification so I suggest keeping with you in the field. In the back it breaks down each plant by growing environment and season; as well as food use and season. It has a helpful index in the back, along with more references and books for those interested in learning more. This book is with me every time I go in the woods. I very highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get into foraging wild edibles.

Check out the 2 part video review!
Or buy the book online!

Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants of Central/Eastern U.S. - Steven Foster and James A. Duke

This book is a wonderful addition to any foragers library, or foragers bag. It contains color pictures of over 600 plants, as well as describes their features for identification. It briefly but thoroughly describes historical uses, and explains modern science vindicated activities of wild plants. Many of these plants are also in the Peterson Field Guide for Edible Wild Plants, however there are other plants in this one that are not listed in the other. This is a great companion to their other field guides and gives you a more complete look and understanding of wild plants. Watch the video review below!
​Or buy the book online!

Peterson Field Guide to Mushrooms - Kent and Vera Mcknight

Though not about plants, several of the most prime wild edibles are mushrooms. No novice is ready to go out and hunt mushrooms without this guide. It contains over 1,000 species of mushrooms across the United States; as well as over 700 paintings and line drawings that help distinguish one species from another. This book focuses heavily on identification with a glossary of mycological terms used in the book. For each species it covers edibility, or toxicity, spore size and color among other things. It also has some recipes using wild mushrooms towards the back of the book. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in wild edibles or mushrooms. Video review coming soon!
Or buy the book online!

Wild Food Adventure Series: Edible Wild Plants From Dirt to Plate - John Kallas, PhD

This is an exceptional resource on preparation of some very common wild edibles. Most of the wild edibles in this book can be found across the United States and most grow in your own yard or neighborhood. The author breaks down each plant from the plants beginning, to the end of it's life cycle. Along the way he shows you what part to use, how to harvest, how to prepare, and gives you a couple recipes for wild foods. In the back there is a nutrient chart that compares some wild edibles to our most nutritious domestic vegetables. You won't believe how they stack up! I very much recommend this book for those who want to get down and dirty with wild edibles. Watch the video review below!
Or buy the book online!

Indian Herbalogy of North America - Alma R. Hutchens

This is a rather in depth, detailed, informative resource for those looking to learn more about the use of medicinal wild plants. The book covers in depth over 100 plants, how to prepare them, dose amount for various conditions, various uses for each plant. It also has line drawings that help give a good idea of what the plant looks like. Though not best for identification, it is almost un-matched in it's depth on preparation and use. The book contains references and recommended books as well as a glossary that contains an explanation of medical terms used in the book. It also gives a brief history of use of each plant in North America as well as other countries. This book is highly recommended for anyone wanting to learn about medicinal plants.

Check out the 2 part video review!
Or buy the book online!