Cathy,

Purslane actually is a wild plant, that grows like a weed all over the south. It's almost as ubiquitous as chickweed.

There are a number of guides to edible wild plants. See, for instance, any of Eull (?) Gibbons' books (such as Stalking The Wild Aspargus). There is also at least one card deck you can carry around that identifies edible wildings.

I'm sure if you do a search under edible wild plants a lot will show up.

I would love to do that sort of foraging. Unfortunately I just don't have the time for it. So, other than a trip or two in the spring, for fernheads and mushrooms, I have to forego it.

Thank You KYH,

I am going to persue this and I just think that for instance wild greens would be loaded with vitamins and minerals esp. if growing wild where the ground has been untouched and lots of natural composting has taken place to nourish these plants.

I know folks that harvest morrell mushrooms in Michigan and brag on the terrific flavor. Myself I'd never even trust a wild mushroom of any description, but that's just me!

I grew up in Miami, Fl and as a child we ate just about anything we found, even wild flowers. Our & our neighbors yards were alive with fruit and veggie trees of all varieties. I still do not know why we never got sick, maybe our natural instincts were good and we just knew what not to eat. Some of my fondest memories were picking and eating wild mulberries from this huge tree and never once did we fall from that grand old tree Have you ever had loquats? (not kumquats) Loquats slightly resemble a small apricot, and are delicious!

Well cheers, Cathy