Wild foods of Northern Colorado

Wild foods of northern Colorado,

specifically Ft. Collins and surrounding areas 

(Only food parts that we've actually eaten are listed.

There's more! There's more!)

Let Food be thy Medicine, and Medicine be thy Food.

Acorn                                                                           Elm - (seeds)

Salsify - (flower, stalks and buds, roots)                        Linden - (leaves, flowers, berries)

Black Locust (flowers, beans)                                       Burdock - (flower stalk, leaf petioles, root)

Dandelion - (leaves, flowers, root-eaten and brewed like coffee)     

Asparagus - (shoots)                                                     Thistle - (shoots, leaf petioles, root)

Sow Thistle - (leaves and stalks, flower buds)                Purslane - (all above ground parts)

Lamb's Quarters - (leaves, seeds)                                  Amaranth - (leaves, seeds)

Currant - (red, and at least 3 different black kinds)         Choke Cherry 

Autumn Berry or Silver Buffalo Berry                            Wild Strawberry - (berries, leaves dried and fresh)

Wild Raspberry - (berries, leaves dried and fresh)          Wild Plum - (at least 4 varieties) 

Apples - (who knows how many kinds?)                        Serviceberry

Highbush Cranberry - Crampbark (berries)                    Elderberry

Cow Parsnip - (stalks)                                                   Angelica - (stalks)

Wild onion - (whole plant)                                              Wild garlic - (whole plant)

Cattail - (hearts, shoots, rhizomes, pollen, rhizome fibers make good cordage...)                       

Bullrush - (rhizomes)

Evening Primrose - (roots, flowers, buds, seeds,stalk used for fiber)          

Wild mint(s) - (leaves, fresh and dried)

Milkweed - (shoots, flower buds, pods, young leaves, stalk also makes fiber, pod silk for stuffing)

Clover - (red and white, leaves and flowers fresh and dried) 

Black Walnut - (nuts, husks for dye)                               Sumac - (berries, cold brew tea)

Black Nightshade - (fruits, leaves)                                  Dock - (leaves, young stalk, young flower buds)

Prickly Pear, - (pads, fruit)                                             Common Mallow - (leaves, fruit)

Shepherd's Purse - (seeds, whole plant tops)                 Peppergrass - (seed pods, plant tops)

Day Lily - (tubers, flowers, dried flowers, buds)             Chamomile - (dried flowers for tea)

Pineapple Weed - Wild Chamomile (dried flowers)        American Licorice - (roots, chewed and dried)

Wild Rose - (hips, dried for tea)                                    Orach - (leaves, fresh and dried for spice)

Stinging Nettle - (leaves)

Conifers, Fir and Spruce - (young buds eaten fresh, added to water, needles used in tea)

Conifers, Pines - (needles used in tea)                            Juniper - (berries, used like peppercorns)

Ground Cherries - (fruits)                                               Wild Grape
Horseradish                                                                    Musk Mustard
Horehound                                                                     Bee Balm

Watercress                                                                      Oregano 

                   

 That's all i can remember now, but this list may grow over time. Feel free to inquire about more specific uses, or give us your own opinions. Happy Hunting. ~Rico