The open, sun-warmed edges between the parking lot and the tree line are prime territory for a surprising variety of edible wild plants. On this foraging tour, we'll identify and taste sheep sorrel and wood sorrel, both celebrated for their refreshing lemony tang, along with goutweed, whose flavor closely mirrors that of parsley, carrot, and celery. Poor man's pepper, a widespread and delicious wild mustard, favors exactly these kinds of sunny, open habitats. It's even more common and aggressively spreading invasive relative, garlic mustard, has taken hold throughout much of the forest understory and is well worth foraging whenever encountered.
Poor Man's Pepper
Among the finest peppery wild greens in existence, and remarkable for how freely it grows. It is abundant, perennial, and entirely free for the picking.
The hillside bordering the woods is rich in burdock, a flavorful and healthful taproot long used in cooking traditions around the world, as well as common thistle. Despite its intimidating spines, the thistle's flower stalk is actually quite tasty, with a mild, celery-like quality. A quick peel with work gloves removes the thorns with minimal effort.
Burdock
Called gobo in Japanese, this satisfying root vegetable has been a cornerstone of East Asian cooking for centuries, valued for both its earthy flavor and its many culinary uses.
Deeper in the woods, the hunt continues for edible plants, medicinal herbs, and natural teas. We'll look for greenbrier leaves and shoots with their distinctive piquant bite; ramps, arguably the most intensely flavorful onion species native to North America; and pokeweed shoots, which are edible at the early stage. We'll also identify root beer-flavored sassafras, black birch with its sweet wintergreen scent, and jewelweed, a well-known preventive for poison ivy rash and a soothing remedy for insect bites and stings.
The tour wraps up back at the parking lot, where we'll find northern bayberry growing along the edges. Its leaves are far more aromatic and complex than the commercially sold bay leaf, despite the two plants being botanically unrelated.
Note:
- Bring plastic bags for vegetables and herbs, paper bags for mushrooms, plastic containers for fruit and berries (mid-June through December), drinking water, and a pen for signing in. A sturdy digging implement for roots is suggested.
- Children of all ages are warmly encouraged to attend and participate in learning to appreciate and respect the natural world.
- Check the weather forecast in advance and dress for the conditions. Bring one more layer than you think you will need in cooler weather.
- Recommended items: lunch for longer tours, a pocket knife, work gloves, a notepad, a whistle, insect repellent, a hat appropriate for the season, an extra sweater, thermals, hand and foot warmers, rain gear, and waterproof boots as needed.
- No smoking or vaping at any time. Closed-toe shoes are required, as the terrain may include poison ivy, thorns, ticks, and other insects.
Meeting Location:
Saxon Woods parking lot, north of the Hutchinson River Parkway, 1800 Mamaroneck Avenue, near the swimming pool. Do not use the southern entrance.
