Welcome Arthur Lee Jacobson, author of "Wild Plants of Greater Seattle"

Arthur has already been here off and on for the last year.  But for today through Sunday he has promised to check in every day and answer loads of questions!

For the folks the participate in these forums for the next four days, four people will be selected and given a copy of Arthur's new edition of "Wild Plants of Greater Seattle"!

Here are the particulars for getting a free copy of Arthur's book:

I have a little program that will collect all of the posts to these forums for a date range.  It will then mix them all up and show me ten posts at random.  From those ten, I'll pick out the best four posts.  I'll then email those four people to get their snail mail address so I can send them a book.

I'll try to do this on Monday, setting the program to collect posts from the previous Thursday through Sunday.

The more you post, the better your chances of getting a book.  Post to any of the forums at www.permies.com/permaculture-forums - you aren't limited just to the wildcrafting forum.

A "good post" is a post that asks a great question, an answer to a question or even just an offering of some interesting information.  Posts that just say "thanks" or "hi" don't count as good posts.

Other books by Arthur:

Trees of Seattle

Trees of the Bloedel Reserve

Trees of Green Lake

Purpleleaf Plums

North American Landscape Trees

Details about Arthur and his books can be found at www.arthurleej.com

I know that I have attended several of Arthur's "Seattle Wild Edibles Walks".  Fantastic!

Arthur, did I leave anything out?

Thank you, Paul. In cities and suburbs, where most of us live, our wild flora is a blend of native species, feral garden plants, weeds (mostly non-native), bird-seed sprouts, and the like. There is far more plant diversity in old neighborhoods of Seattle than in a new subdivision, and more food for the gathering. There are more plant habitats in Greater Seattle now with all its development, than there were in the 1840s before settlers came and started felling the forests, diverting rivers, filling bogs and whatnot. Because there are so many plants and habitats, and so many people desire to learn about the plants, I wrote the book.

Arthur Lee Jacobson

Okay, so I'm freakishly late in announcing this. 

I sent email to the four winners and only three responded.  So the winners are:

Kelda Miller

David C

Ben Souther

Arthur, thanks so much for doing this event here.  It is always an educational experience when you stop by.  Your book is great and I'm looking forward to your next wild edibles walk!

Thanks, Paul. Lately I have been eating fewer wild, and more cultivated plants. My garden has some wonderful new additions. When I have another Open Garden on August 16th & 17th you and everyone else are welcome to see and sniff some fascinating plants. The newest addition is Piper sarmentosum, a tropical plant used in an appetizer at Thai eateries. The leaves are called Cha-plu or Cha-phloo, and the dish mieng kum or miang kam. In winter I will need to put this plant inside. It may be the only one outside in Seattle this summer.

Arthur Lee Jacobson

Arthur, I don't suppose you have a favorite link or a picture?

The next time we get together, let's eat thai!  I'll buy!

Here is a picture of the Piper sarmentosum in my garden. I tried to send one earlier and it did not get through. It tastes as lovely as it looks . . .

Arthur Lee Jacobson

It is a pretty plant. 

So it is the leaves that you eat?

Is this plant a perennial? 

What do the leaves taste like?

The raw leaves are eaten and are mildly spicy, sort of Citrus like. It is a perennial in tropical climates, growing in moist woods. In Seattle, our cool weather annoys it, and surely winter will kill it, so I will need to take it inside. It may end up being a worthwhile edible house plant even if it is poor outdoors here. I consider it an experiment.