Edible Wild Plants for Beginners: North American Foraging Guide

American: Edible Wild Plants for Beginners is a field guide and recipe book for people starting to learn about foraging. Its listing describes identification guidance for 31 common edible wild plants in North America, alongside recipes, remedies and safety guidance.

At a glance

Covers identification and common uses for 31 edible wild plants found across North America.
Listing says entries include photos, descriptions and distinguishing characteristics.
Includes recipes and remedies, with examples ranging from curry and cookies to balm and bath soaks.
Contains foraging safety guidelines. The listing recommends reading the book in full before exploring.

Price

$23.40Save 19%

Reference price: ~~$28.99~~

Price checked: Nov 13, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Combines plant identification information with practical recipes and remedy ideas.
The North American scope and beginner-focused framing give new foragers a broad starting point.
At 258 pages, it offers more than a brief plant checklist.

Technical specifications

8 specifications

Book details
Publisher	Sourcebooks
Publication date	Nov. 26 2013
Language	English
Print length	258 pages
ISBN-10	1623152518
ISBN-13	978-1623152512

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	1.05 kg
Dimensions	13.97 x 1.63 x 21.59 cm

What to know before buying

The book's safety guidance is a learning resource, not confirmation that a plant found in the field is correctly identified or safe to consume. Use careful identification and consult appropriate local guidance before foraging.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Beginners looking for an introductory guide to edible wild plants in North America.
Readers who want recipes and remedy ideas alongside plant descriptions.
People interested in a reference book with photos and safety guidance.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a region-specific Canadian field guide, since the listing describes coverage across North America rather than a Canada-only focus.
Buyers who want only plant identification and no recipes or remedies.

Edible Wild Plants for Beginners: North American Foraging Guide · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.6 / 5 · 2,221 ratings

5 stars74%74%
4 stars17%17%
3 stars7%7%
2 stars1%1%
1 star1%1%

Customer feedback describes the book as informative and useful for learning, and some praise the recipes and pictures. Other comments are mixed about picture quality and how much space recipes take, while some readers say it was not what they expected. For buyers, this suggests a book that blends plant information with cooking and remedy content rather than serving only as a visual identification manual. Overall rating information is mostly positive, but ratings do not clarify which specific plants or regions readers found most useful.

Positive themes

Customers describe the book as informative and say they learned from its content.
Some customers praise the recipe section.

Mixed feedback

Some customers appreciate the pictures, while others would prefer better illustrations.
Recipe content is praised by some, while others note the book divides attention between plants and recipes.
Some readers say the book was not what they expected.

Frequently asked questions

How many plants does the book cover?

The listing says it covers 31 common edible wild plants in North America, with descriptions, distinguishing characteristics and common uses.

Does it include recipes?

Yes. The listing describes recipes using wild plants, as well as remedies such as balm and bath soaks.

Is it intended for beginners?

Yes. The title and listing present it as a starting guide, with foraging FAQs, tool guidance and safety information.

Can the book alone establish that a wild plant is safe to eat?

No. Its guidance can help with learning, but the listing does not establish that it can confirm a specific plant found outdoors. Follow reliable local guidance and identify plants carefully.