Spring Beauty: This relatively rare plant can be seen in deciduous forests at spring-time. It is easily identified by it's flower petals which are white with bright pink veins. Edible parts are the roots, therefore picking them should be done sparingly where they are abundant and only when needed for survival in order for the species to survive.

Hobblebush: This plant is found at higher altitudes and can be identified by its oblong leaves with purplish blotches and rusty hairy branches. The berries are ripe once they turn black.

Wild Raisin: This picture was taken on a recent trip to Newfoundland, where I had the pleasure of finding 23 edible plants that are not easily seen in southern Quebec. This plant prefers wet soil in swampy areas. Like it's relative Hobblebush (above) the berries turn black when ripe.

Wintergreen: This plant is useful for it's flavor of wintergreen.  The leaves can be used all year.  Young tender leaves and fruit can be eaten as a trailside snack.  Young or older (tougher) leaves may be used to make tea.  Leaves usually stay on plant through winter, hence the name 'Wintergreen'. Before artificial flavoring, it was the sole source of this flavor.  Salicin, the main medicinal ingredient in aspirin, is contained in this plant.

Hawthorn:  Hawthorn trees have long thorns with coarsely toothed leaves. These small trees produce crab apple type fruit and are a good trailside snack.  The fruit (called Haws) are bland tasting but provide enough nutrients to use as a survival food..  This plant also contains Salicin and was the focus of many studies regarding it's use as an anti-hypertensive as some of it's properties may help dilate arteries.  There are many herbal heart medicines derived from Hawthorn available in Germany.

Choke Cherry: Chokecherry is a bush or small tree producing cherries that grow in clusters (as shown). 

Arrowhead: This plant is found around water and can be uprooted to harvest the potato like roots.

Mushroom Identification (Mushrooms should be cooked before eating)

Oyster Mushroom: This mushroom grows on wood. It is also a 'choice edible' .

Hen of the Woods:  This mushroom grows in the Autumn and is seen only on Oak trees.  It is another mushroom belonging to the polypore family.  A typical Hen of the Woods would top at about 10 lbs.  I have collected one that was closer to 20 lbs!

Sulfur Shelf: This hard to miss mushroom grows on wood.  It is also called the Chicken Mushroom because of it's similar taste to chicken. It belongs to the polypore family and has many pores on the underside instead of gills. It ranges from salmon color to bright orange on top and yellow underneath and along the outer edges. It can be found from mid summer through autumn.

Bolete: This mushroom grows on the ground.  It does not have any gills on the underside of the cap.  It is a mushroom that belongs to the polypore family. Polypore's have many pores under the cap. The cap resembles a hamburger bun.

Pair-Shaped Puffball:  One of a few edible varieties of Puffball mushroom which grow on decaying wood and is about the size of a nickel.  It is edible while it is still creamy white inside.  As this mushroom ages and dries, it develops a whole on top with greenish-brown spores that when squeezed emit a puff of smoke.  It can be mistaken with the Poison Pigskin Puffball (which as the name implies is poisonous) quite easily and should only be used if trained in the proper identifying characteristics.

Giant Puffball: This mushroom can be cooked and fried like a steak. It absorbs the flavor of whatever you add to it. Check freshness by cutting open and ensuring that it is white and solid (like a marshmallow) without any decaying parts. Anything other than white is an indication of age and you may be too late to harvest. This one was bigger than a basketball !

WARNING: Before trying any wild edible plant or mushroom it is highly recommended to be well versed in the plants identifying features and characteristics. Contact Alpine-4 for information on courses or purchase a guide book on the subject.