Have you ever been hiking and thought about the surrounding botany? I mean, really considered the plethora of food dispersed around the very trails you are hiking? No? The natural world is chock full of nutritional substances — fruits, nuts, leaves, shoots, stems, roots and even seeds can be eaten, and many come with recipes to add flavor! Many of us are familiar with edible wild blackberries and strawberries, so I've thrown together nine plants you may not have considered snack worthy! The world is not limited to the produce aisle of our local grocery, so go out and harvest something new!

*** Important note: These plants are considered common throughout the Eastern United States, which ranges based on your agricultural and climate zone. Only eat plants you can absolutely identify, because eating unknown plants can lead to poisoning or death. ***

The plants I have selected are from a complete compilation of wild edible plants by Mr. Lee Allen Peterson, and additional information as well as proper identification can be found in Edible Wild Plants: Eastern/Central North America.

1. Common Elderberry

Let's be frank, most of us know Elderberries from the classic "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." In addition to being used as an insult, the fruit from the Elderberry bush can be made into jams, eaten raw or served as wine.

*** Please note: Elderberry looks very similar to Pokeweed, a poisonous relative. Note the berry clustering on the Elderberry bush vs the linear grouping of Pokeweed berries.***

Found: Manitoba-Nova Scotia, spreading south to Texas

Fruits in: August —October

2. Common Cattail

Use the stalks, young shoots, pollen, spikes, sprouts and roots for a variety of recipes! Widely considered one of the most versatile of the edible plant world, the common cattail can be used in salads, as a flour, boiled (called cat-on-the-cob), pickled or sauteed.Found: Throughout the United States

Flowers in: May-June

3. Day-lily

You can use the entire plant: flowers, leaves, buds, tubers and young shoots. Flowers can be made into fritters, while young shoots can be added into salads

Found: Canada-North Carolina (naturally, but they are often planted in landscape designs)

Flowers in: June — August

4. Yarrow

Yarrow leaves can be gathered, dried and developed into tea.

Found: Throughout the Eastern/Central United States.

Flowers in: June — September

5. Common Dandelion

Use the leaves in a salad or cook them down and serve as a side dish! Dandelion flowers can be battered and deep-fried for a tasty snack, young, unopened buds can be pickled and roots can be slow roasted and ground into coffee!

Found: Throughout the Eastern/Central United States

6. Gooseberries

Gooseberries are my Mom's new favorite fruit, but they are difficult to find in Georgia for some reason! Their fruits can be eaten raw, dried, candied, turned into jams, fruit sauces and pie fillings.

Found: Parts of Florida and South Carolina.

Fruits: June — September

7. Common Sunflower

Sunflower seeds are a common treat found in the snack isle, but did you know you can make coffee from the ground, roasted shells?

Found: Throughout the Eastern/Central United States

Flowers in: July — October

8. White Oak

White oak nutmeat is sweeter than other acorns, being used to make flour, meal, candies or just a simple snack. White oak acorns can be dried and ground into a protein rich bread mix!

Found: Maine-Minnesota and Texas-Florida

9. Beach Plums

The wild plum trees may have thorns, so pick with caution! Varying in color and sweetness, these delicious plums are perfect for jams!

Found: Maine and Delaware

Fruits in: September — October