BOTANY
Plant Harvesting
When wild harvesting/wildcrafting it is imperative to correctly identify the plants you are collecting so that you do not accidentally collect an endangered plant species or a species that is harmful if consumed. Taxonomic keys and other identification guides/books are avail- able for purchase from local bookstores and are usually available to borrow via public library systems.
These keys have a series of prompts you can follow to correctly identify the plant species. Additional resources can be found online through native plant websites such as Native Plant Trust Go Botany which will give you a description of a plant for identification purposes. Even apps such as iNaturalist exist to assist in ID. People with access to a smartphone can download iNaturalist or a similar app, take a photo of the plant they are trying to ID and the app will give its best guess as to what the species is. If it isn’t sure you can post the photo and other users can comment on what they think the plant is.
Experiential learning in identifying plants and learning from an experienced herbalist or botanist can greatly improve one’s confidence in their own identification skills. Budding herbalists can also learn plant ID through programs offered through an herbalism apprenticeship, native plant nursery, university, state/national parks, or a community event center, however these may are often more expensive options that may not be accessible for everyone.
A more accessible option may be to join a local or online club or organization that specializes in herbalism, botany, or plant identification. There might even be other folks in your community interested in herbalism and/or plant ID who would be willing to organize neighborhood plant walks to practice identifying local plants.
Overall, the most important thing is spending time with local plants, getting to know them and their features.
General Botany Information
There are four main plant organs: roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. Roots anchor the plant in the ground and absorb water and nutrients. They are generally not as useful for identification purposes. Stems provide the framework for other plant parts such as the leaves and flowers. They are generally not useful for identification purposes. Leaves are where photosynthesis, a process that provides energy to the plant, occurs. Flowers are the reproductive parts of the plants. Both leaves and flowers are useful features for identification (Paris, 2018).
Leaves can be evergreen (green year-round) or deciduous (dropped in the Fall). They can be arranged on a stem
in one of three configurations: alternate, opposite, or whorled. In an alternate arrangement, leaves will be staggered on the stem so if one leaf is on the left side of the stem the next leaf up will be on the right. Opposite leaves are found in pairs up the stem, so there will be a leaf on both the left and right sides of the stem, branching out from the same point on the stem on either side.. Whorled leaves are a circular arrangement of leaves emerging from the same point on the stem.
The shape of the leaf and the margin of the leaf are also important identification features. There are a range of shapes from very narrow leaves such as the needled leaves on a pine tree compared to the broader leaves of a maple tree. The common leaf shape with a wider middle and a pointed tip is called elliptic. Leaf margins (the outer edge of the leaf) can be smooth, known as entire margins, or they can be hairy/ciliate, dentate, serrate, lobed, and more.
Flower size, color, bloom time, and scent are additional features that can help identify a plant.
Flowers come in a variety of shapes and arrangements as well. A flower can be symmetrical or irregular in form. It can be terminal at the end of a stem, or lateral on the side of a stem. Flowers may be clustered on a leafless stalk called a scape or they may be on a stem that also has leaves. A tall spire of flowers is called a spike and a round ball of flowers such as on an onion or scallion is called an umbel. Other flower forms can be seen in the image below.
Plant Harvesting
After you have identified your plant, you can harvest it! When harvesting, it is critical to be aware of the correct time to harvest the plant, which parts of the plants to harvest, and how to harvest those parts. All plants have different growing patterns and therefore varying harvest times. Some plants bloom or become mature in the summer while some may reach their peak in the fall. Being aware of these factors will help in the harvest’s success.
Every plant has varying signs that depict its readiness for harvest. It is imperative that these signs are identified prior to harvest, to ensure that what is being harvested is ready. Depending on what the plant is providing, the method by which it is harvested may vary. For herbs or plants where the leaves are used, harvest will consist of removing the leaves. This can
be done by hand or with tools. For some, the whole plant, including its roots, has to be removed from the soil during harvest. This will require different tools and a different approach.
There are many different types of root systems that plants may have. Understanding and be- coming familiar with the variety of systems is important, especially if the harvest of a specific plant requires its roots to be removed. Tap root systems have one main root that grows deep into the ground in a vertical position. Dandelions are a common example of a plant with a tap root system. Fibrous root systems remain close to the surface of the soil and create a dense network of smaller roots. Plants can have a combination of these root systems. Plants that grow in drier areas most often have tap root systems while plants that have a higher abundance of water available have fibrous root systems.
Pruning shears and kitchen scissors are helpful tools when harvesting or wildcrafting. These can be used to cut small branches or aerial parts of the plant. It is suggested to use a digging stick to remove the roots of a plant instead of a shovel, as it is possible that the shovel will cut or slice through the roots. However, a shovel can also be used if a digging stick is not available. Having mesh bags to put harvested herbs and plants in is helpful in keeping them fresh and letting them breathe. Most of these tools can be found at a garden or hardware store.
It is important to keep in mind that further research and knowledge may be needed to fully understand which harvest practice a plant requires, which part of the plant to harvest, and the best time to conduct the harvest.