This second edition of Christopher Nyerges's Foraging Washington: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Foods is an incomparable reference for anyone looking to wander through or simply learn about the bounty of nature's offerings in the incredibly diverse natural environment of Washington. Nyerges comprehensively details the nine ecoregions in the state, each replete with its own abundant array of enticing wild foods.
One of his guide's standout features is the clear descriptions of plants, which makes it easy for readers to confidently identify what they find in the wild. Nyerges supplements these with photographs, recipes, and nutritional information. This degree of specificity is crucial when foraging for food, as misidentification can have serious consequences. A few plants, such as poison hemlock, can make people sick or even be fatal, as can foraging in areas where pesticides or other toxic chemicals have been in use.
But most of the plants to be found in these regions, including seaweeds, dandelions, and ferns, as well as less familiar salal berries and wood sorrel, can be used as food, medicine, or both--and Nyerges carefully lays out all their uses. Readers can even test their knowledge before venturing out by taking a quiz at the end of the book, featuring such valuable nuggets as whether it's true or false that all "berries that glisten are poisonous."
In addition to helping readers identify and harvest useful plants, Nyerges emphasizes the importance of sustainability and responsible foraging to avoid overuse of these resources and to preserve them for generations to come. --Elizabeth DeNoma, executive editor, DeNoma Literary Services, Seattle, Wash.