Wild edible and medicinal plant walk

DAMASCUS, PA — Nathaniel Whitmore will start a season of nature walks on Saturday, March 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Whitmore Farm in Damascus.

Whitmore is well known in the area for teaching about the identification and uses of wild edible and medicinal plants in the area. He eats almost entirely local vegetables at all times of the year, both wild and cultivated. As soon as the ground thaws in the spring, he starts collecting edible roots from his garden and from the wild. From the time that green things start growing until the time when the gardens start producing, Nathaniel generally eats all wild plants for the vegetable part of his diet.

This area is very botanically diverse, and many of the wild plants are edible. Some, such as wild leeks (ramps), are quite prized. And some, such as pokeweed, represent traditional eating habits. Pokeweed was even the partial inspiration behind the song “Polk Salad Annie”, which was covered by Elvis Presley.

Those who are interested in learning more about the identification and use of this area’s wild plants and mushrooms can attend walks for a voluntary contribution.

To sign up for Whitmore’s e-mail newsletter, which includes announcements of his walks, classes and other activities, e-mail wathakes@gmail.com.

For more information call 570/224-0264.