Questions tagged [plants]
Questions about plants that are likely to be found in the outdoors or the use of plants in outdoor activities, including classification, use as food, use for shelter, medicinal use, etc.
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How to find true north without compass, sun, and stars?
Is there any reliable method from nature to find north without the stars, sun, or compass?
I have read a little bit on this subject, and a lot of it seems to be controversial.
Let's say I am lost in ...
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Baccharis neglecta vs Juniperus ashei in central texas
It's my understanding both Baccharis neglecta and Juniperus ashei thrive in nutrient poor soils but I rarely see them together. I mean, they're both in central Texas, but like where I see Baccharis ...
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What is this plant with red stalks and greenish-red leaves?
This plant has been sprouting up from time to time in my yard. I've been cutting them down as I see them, but it has me curious.
What is this plant? Currently its maybe 10 inches tall, which red ...
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Pacific Northwest - how can I find about sea Bioluminescence events?
I happened to stumble upon the last bits of a bioluminescence event on Cortes Island, in BC, in 2011. It was absolutely amazing, but most of it had happened in the previous days.
I'd love to go ...
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Are there any toxic berries that can be easily confused with the Serviceberry (saskatoon berry)?
I'm pretty confident I have a serviceberry (saskatoon berry) in my front yard. It looks like all the pictures I've seen, I live in its habitat, and it tastes as described. Before I eat too many, I ...
user17482
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A river of moss - what to call it?
Is there any distinct term or phrase (biological or otherwise) for this pattern of mossy growth within a stream-bed?
The photo shows little moss islands on individual rocks, within a very sodden &...
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Mimosa Pudica (touch-me-not) medicinal uses and edibility
I started reading about an interesting plant that is common around here called Mimosa Pudica, known as "touch-me-not" because of its leaves that close upon touching.
It seems to be a plant with ...
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Can I get fresh water from ocean plants?
In the answer to Can I get fresh water from ocean fish flesh? I learned that the water I can get from eating fish has a low enough salt content that it will hydrate me, BUT the high protein count will ...
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Are these yellow orange hawthorns edible?
I have lots of these hawthorns in my neighborhood (Mount Lebanon) but I am afraid to eat from them. Are they safe ?
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What plants can be heard when they are growing?
Growing up in the Midwest, USA I have heard of being able to hear corn grow on a quiet night. I believe I may have actually experienced this at one time while waiting for some co-workers in the ...
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Are there any reliable plants to use for navigation?
I've always heard that moss grows on the north side of a tree. Presumably, this is because conditions on the north side, at least in the northern hemisphere, tend to get less sunlight and are damper. ...
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Can I safely eat grass?
A recent comment
Cows eat grass, doesn't mean you can!
got me thinking. Corn, wheat, rice, etc are all grass that we eat regularly. I am not sure the human race could survive on the planet ...
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Can I eat raw acorns?
I know that they are full of starch and fat. I also know that deer and boars eat them. Is it safe for a human to eat them?
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What are these small blue berries growing in clusters on a medium size bush in Southern Ontario, Canada?
These blue berries are growing in clusters on a medium size bush in Southern Ontario, Canada.
What are they, and are they edible?
Here are some details:
The leafs are leathery and slippery.
The ...
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What is this plant with fluffy white flowers in the Canadian Rockies?
I was hiking in the Ptolemy Plateau in the Canadian Rockies yesterday.
There were all these plants that looked like something right out of a Dr. Seuss book. What are they?
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What are these clusters of tiny dark blue berries found in the Southern Canadian Rockies?
I was hiking in the Southern Canadian Rockies yesterday and was paying special attention to all the plants I'm not familiar with, one was these bushes with these clusters of tiny blue berries. The ...
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What is this plant in England with large veined leaves and multi-part buds?
I was wondering if anyone could help me identify what this plant is? We have found it growing in our garden in England a few times and are unsure what it could be.
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What are these strange seeds that looks like a mini porcupine which you can find all over Germany?
These were in abundance throughout Germany and looks kinda strange.
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What kind of tree produces these seed pods looking like spiky balls?
I recently moved to southern Virginia near the coast (about 15 miles in from it). All over the ground are these spiky balls that I assume contain seeds to the tree they fall off of.
There are ...
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Why does hop always grow clockwise?
Hop climbs up other plants or objects. It clasps its target always clockwise. What is the reason for this? Wouldn't it be more efficient to select the direction case by case?
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Are there plants (for instance berries) which lead to dehydration if eaten?
Believe me or not but I'm currently playing a video game :) It's called "Ark: Survival Evolved". You've to survive in the wilderness and for example pick up berries to do so. There is a specific ...
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Can anyone help with identifying this tree?
The tree kind of resembles an ash but has green buds, there are pinnate leaflets with rounded tips
close up of leaflets
edit
This tree is located in Cambidgeshire in the United Kingdom
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Plant identification methods
Can anyone explain the basic process of identifying plants. To assist I also am posting an unidentified plant photo.
Can anyone identify it and explain the method and resources used? Thanks.
...
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Municipal invasive species committee experiences?
Our town (Groton Massachusetts) formed a town committee a few months ago to concentrate on invasive species issues. Since we are new, we are trying to find our way and decide what exactly we should ...
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Do sugar maple trees ever flower in the fall in Ohio?
I know that most maple trees flower in the spring and produce seeds in the fall. However, it seems to be the reverse for the maples near me. I see seeds fall off in the spring which makes me think ...
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How do you eat nettles?
In my other question Can you eat dock leaves? How can they be prepared?
@ThatIdiot says:
... the stinging
nettles are one of the best forage foods out there.
So how do you prepare these? What ...
user2766
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Can you eat dock leaves? How can they be prepared?
Are dock leaves/rumex edible? They're on of the most common plants we see in the UK (that and stinging nettles) and I find myself wondering how if I could eat them. I've been told before that you ...
user2766
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What is this plant? Is it Poison Oak?
Yesterday, I was hiking on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge to help a friend locate an inherited parcel of land. We think we found it, based on a variety of documents and a few handy ...
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How do "Dock leaves" work to reduce itching from stinging nettles?
Dock leaves are the wild cure to stinging nettles, right? Everyone knows this.
But how do they stop the stinging? What's the mechanism?
user2766
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What animal might uproot and relocate a newly-transplanted sedum?
My husband transplanted a sedum to an area under our bird feeders about ten feet away. The plant is 6 inches wide, 14 inches long, and the hole was approximately 10 inches deep. After removing it, he ...
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Back country solution to itchy insect bites
On a recent walk I got bitten to death by midgies. I was itching all day until I got home and put some antihistamine cream on them. Is there anything available (plants, etc.) that I could of applied ...
user2766
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Is wild garlic edible? How do you prepare it?
Driving into work this am, the woods were full of wild garlic, you could actually smell it in the car.
I've always presumed that it is edible but I'm not 100% sure. Can you eat wild garlic?
Which ...
user2766
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Eating ash in Soviet Union
My Polish grandfather in early 1950's was sent by communist regime to a gulag. People were starving there and malnourishment was common, so they came up with idea of burning some kind of trees and ...
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What is the most effective method to clean skin exposed to poison oak?
Poison oak season has begun around here, with fields full of the nasty stuff growing everywhere. I tend to dress conservatively in areas I know have poison oak, to avoid getting exposed in the first ...
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What are safe/effective leaves from around the world for use in tidying up your backside after answering the call of nature?
This partially answered in this question about toilet paper alternatives but it only says be careful what plants you use.
I'd like to know specifically what plants are the best in your part of the ...
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Are Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel truly toxic to burn in a campfire?
For a very long time now, I've believed and taught that burning Rhododendron or Mountain Laurel in a campfire will make you sick because of the toxins in these plants becoming airborne then inhaled ...
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What are the most common stinging plants to be aware of in North America?
What are the most common plants that can cause rashes when touched in North America? What are the most important ones to be aware of and avoid?
Before coming to the US I was only familiar with the ...
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Can you tell if a plant is edible by watching what animals eat it?
If I see a deer munching on a particular plant, is that enough to indicate that it's safe to eat? How about other animals?
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What is a good source of vitamin C in the wild?
I know I could just carry a bottle, but scavenging is much more fun. What is a good source of vitamin C in the wild? Have spruce needles really got enough?
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Is it a good Idea to drink grape sap if you have no clean water?
In spring, the grape vines are so full of watery sap that a cut from my pocket knife causes it to trickle out fairly fast, and it can be collected in a container. Someone told me that it is a good ...
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Can you eat pine needles in an emergency?
If you are in a survival situation in the woods and really hungry, and you are unsure about which plants are edible, can you eat pine needles?
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Are there any specific guidelines for edible plants in North America?
I know there are dangerous plants and fruits to eat, but are there any basic rules one can use when in an emergency situation that apply to all safe foods? The 'rules' don't necessarily have to apply ...
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How can I identify edible berries/fruit from poisonous?
How can I identify edible berries/fruit in the wide and avoid the poisonous varieties? Is there a general guideline that can be followed or is specific to each plant?
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What can I do to prevent getting poison ivy?
I have a very bad reaction to poison ivy. I take extraordinary measures to avoid any and all contact with it. I wear long socks and full pants in the middle of summer but I still end up getting it ...
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How should I treat poison ivy?
If I'm struck by poison ivy, what should I do? Is there a way to suppress the itch?
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