Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Cave Men only "Oooga Booga" => Topic started by: Jakesnyder on May 29, 2019, 09:54:33 am
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Heres a couple common plant/weeds that grow in western pa. Can anyone tell me what they are? I'm still trying to learn what's in my area.
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The first one looks like dock(curly possibly) the second one could possibly be a milkweed. Break a leaf and if milky substance comes out then it is milkweed.
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Does dock have any good uses? Is it edible? The second one doesnt have any Milky substance coming out of it. Any other idea?
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Jake, I'm going to say dock also, and the second photo looks like NewYork Ironweed. If it is it will get pretty tall and have a purple flower late in the yr, August early Sept. Bob
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Do the leaves come off the stalk in a whirl, on the same plain or are they opposite or alternate? A pic from the side will show probably.
I don't think it's NY ironweed. We have it here and it isn't the same.
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Pat, went back outside and your right not Ironweed, I have I believe the same plant as Jake . Long 6 x 1 inch entire leave very slightly toothed 3 parrell ribs also alternate and no stem and not clasped. My new guess, Aster or possible one of the many goldenrods, Way to many aster and golden rods for my amateur plant mind. This one is going to bother me because I have this plant in abundance and know it but no flower at this time so drawing a blank. Sorry Jake for the highjack, Bob
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Anyone know uses for these 2? I'm going to do some tests with fibers from them to see the strength as far as cordage. I'm kind of trying to find some plant fibers that would be strong enough for a bow string. No yucca in these parts. Just trying to learn some of what was lost and forgotten from these parts.
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The first looks like dock to me.
The second look like either goldenrod or marestail. A little hard to tell apart from pictures.
I don't know any uses but that doesn't mean there aren't any
Bjrogg
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Jake, if you want a strong string try stinging nettles or dogbane , you can also eat the nettles but DO NOT EAT DOGBANE, Bob
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Dock has medicinal uses as an antifungal wash. Without identifying the other it's hard to say.
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Seem to remember dock was used as greens by some folks, though not the best choice. Supposedly similar to rhubarb, the roots have medicinal uses, and dye makng(yellow). Related to sorrel. I Need to get a better plant id book!
Hawkdancer
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Is this stinging nettle?
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Jake, not stinging nettles, it is hard to ID plants from pics alone but my guess is Wild Lettuce or some type of Thistle. Bob
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Bummer. I guess I need to get a book. Or find someone in my area that I can learn from
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I’m fairly new to Maryland from Arizona and still trying to figure out all these eastern things here. There’s an app called ‘Picture This’ which is sometimes a good source for plant ID to me. It’s best if there’s a flower, but for free it’s worth a shot. Just snap a photo in the app and it will tell you what it thinks. It might help you get closer to positive IDs.
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Not nettles. I'm thinking bull thistle. I'll see if I can remember to get a picture of nettles tomorrow.
Bjrogg
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Would you want to send me some raw nettles? Would they last without being processed for a while? I'd pay shipping.
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Jake I really don't know. I've been thinking about giving them a try. Usually they are past their prime by now but they have been very slow this year. I've never tried them. I believe you blanch them or let them wilt? I should look up again. I believe you want the young tender ones or the tender tops of more mature ones. Maybe someone else could give more information.
I think I have a picture of a bow I put snake skins on with young nettles in background I'll look.
Bjrogg
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The plant by the tip of bow is a young nettles plant. From my understanding this is the best stage of growth to eat it. As it grows it gets very tall. The leaves elongate and it has little "whiskers" that sting you. It's instantly a itchy slightly painful sting that takes awhile to go away. Learned very young what it was if you know what I mean. Probably why I've never got the nerve up to use it yet. Are you going to eat it or use it for fiber?
Bjrogg
PS it looks a little bit like what we call "cat nip" at this young stage but quickly grow taller and leave stretch out longer.
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Jake, Nettles seem to grow well along rivers and creek bottoms, I am sure you have them in your area of Pa. I usually pick a big ole burdock leaf and use for a glove to pick nettles, I like to get them when young and tender, You can still eat when mature just pick the tender tops, I have no experience with nettle cordage but have made some really strong cordage with dogbane. Bob
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I agree with Outback. If you have dogbane it makes excellent cordage and it works quite easy.
Outback how do you prepare your nettles for eating? I suppose I could go to the cooking section and find a thread there.
Bjrogg
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BJ, there are lots of fancy recipes but I just pick and wash and steam or wilt them for 5 minutes or so and then a big pad of butter. I really like them with a nice deer chops and a couple of eggs in the morning. My wife sometimes cooks them in oil and a few spices, they all seem to be good. Bob
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Thanks Bob. My main concern was getting rid of the stinging part. If I understand correctly then just letting them wilt down cures that problem. I've avoided the stuff like the plague for the last 50 years. I still remember that feeling from the stinger. at least I think I do.lol
bjrogg
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BJ, takes me back to my youth, fishing along the creeks with just a pair shorts an run into a patch of stinging nettles, didn't take long to lather up with some good creek mud to kinda ease the sting, :o I think we kinda got use to them after awhile. ;D Bob
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Yup outback that's the same cure we used.
Bjrogg
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Hey guys thanks for the info!
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there are several plant ID apps available online. The one I use is free, or at least I haven't given them any money yet. PlantSnap in playstore. Paul
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PlantSnap is a real good , free App. I use it a lot. Just take a photo of the plant and it will tell you what it is or the family it is in.
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Original post, second pic looks like goldenrod.
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your last picture is just a thistle of some kind, not sure what type but i have a bunch of it growing in my back yard ;D
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Third one is a thistle. Not stinging nettles.
Bjrogg
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Check out a site called eattheweeds dot com. It has a www in front of it. The man's name is Dean Green and he shows a lot of pictures of edible plants.