Urban Forager Gallery
Photo by Kristen Rasmussen1/5Bristly Ox Tongue
This plant doesn't necessarily look like something you would want to eat, with its bristly, fuzzy leaves and bumps on the surface, but it is indeed edible. The leaves have an almost umami quality to them (similar to kale or seaweed) and can serve as a slightly savory substitute for lettuce (though it should not be used as the base of a salad). To get around the somewhat uninviting texture, some recommend finely chopping the leaves.
Photo by Kristen Rasmussen2/5Mallow
Mallow is a very common weed that is said to be quite nutritious and even offer a good deal of calcium. All parts of the plant are edible raw and have a very mild flavor, as well as a somewhat mucilaginous quality (similar to okra). At the right time of year, the plant's round, corrugated leaves are joined by white, pink, or purple flowers.
Photo by Kristen Rasmussen3/5Nasturtium
Nasturtium is one of the easiest plants to identify, with its rounded leaves, stalk running down the middle, and bright orange and yellow flowers. The nasturtium flowers are some the most common edible flowers offered on restaurant salads, but the leaves are just as good; slightly soft and chewy, with a peppery taste.
Photo by Kristen Rasmussen4/5Sweet Fennel
Wild sweet fennel looks a lot like what you would imagine a nomadic version of store bought fennel looks like. Where the bulb is usually the focus of conventional fennel, the greens of the sweet wild fennel are actually the best part—with a much sweeter, licorice-like flavor than its store bought counterpart, raw sweet fennel is good in salads, as a garnish, or can add a unique flavor to uncooked sauces and dressings.
Photo by Kristen Rasmussen5/5Wood Sorrel
Wood Sorrel (also commonly referred to as sour grass) is one of the most approachable of edible weeds, and one that is very easy to identify, often growing in large patches. Usually featuring yellow flowers (though light purple flowers are also common), the stalks are crisp and have a pleasantly tart (almost lemony) and bright flavor; a great addition to salads.
