In Paul and Joceyln's review of
Toby Hemenway's book,
Gaia's Garden, Chapter 6, Paul mentions that the
wild edibles chart on page 142 (2d ed.) inspired him to want to make a
video, presumably to help others be able to identify
wild edibles. I don't know if he's done by now that or not, but even if he has, maybe he and other permies would like to know, if they do not already, that there is an excellent set of (free) electronic flash
cards "out there" that is perfect for this job.
I started using e-flashcards several months ago as a language-learning tool after a friend in Norway recommended it and told me where to go to get started. All one has to do is download the flashcard software (
http://ankisrs.net/), open the program, click on "Get Shared", search for a deck called "edible weeds", download it, and start learning your weeds. You use the program on your PC and there are also apps for smart phones (if you use both as I do, the decks can by synchronized through Ankiweb). Although the photos in the "edible weeds" deck are of Australian specimens, they seem to me to be valid for the NW (I live in Oregon). The user is able to edit the decks however s/he chooses, add to the deck, etc. The Anki electronic flashcard program provides a great tool that I sure wish had been around when I was in school. If you find them useful, please show your gratitude to Anki in some tangible way, just as you do to Paul for all the great material he provides the rest of us.
FYI, I am in the process of editing my "edible weeds" deck to include the information from GG (e.g., that "cleavers" pull Ca from the soil, botanical name Galium aparine, leaves = edible), and would be happy to share it to the Anki site if anyone's interested, or you can just edit your own
cards -- editing a deck is a great way to learn the material
(This information was also posted under "Podcast 55 - Review of
Gaia's Garden, Chapter 6", where it's doubtful anyone will see it.)
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