EatTheWeeds: Episode 22: Duck Potatoes

[bodiemyers]

nevermind lol arescassell already asked that question lol well at least iam not wondering about that any more

[bodiemyers]

i may be a little confused i am looking for arrowhead wapato Sagittaria looks like the same tuber but the leaves are arrow shaped with veins that start from a central point like a palm is this the same plant just different stage of life? i am from central ohio maybe its a different plant but we call it duck potato and arrowhead looks just like arrow arum

[EatTheWeeds]

@bodiemyers WARNING: The Sagittaria latifolia has some resemblance to the Arum, which is toxic. However, the Arum leaf is veinless nor does it blossom the same. More so, if you bite into an unprepared Arum root you will know you have erred significantly. It burns.

[WesternBushcraft]

There was a lot of Pennyworts growing around those

[Hashishin13]

I bet they are called duck potatoes because people used to harvest them while hunting ducks.

[shevamae]

Doing a project on Duck Potatoes for my science class!!!!! This helped alot!! THANKS!!!

[katanaburner]

I like the randomness in your video here. You outta do that more often!

[emilykbisignano]

MMM! That sounds good! I live in NW Ohio and I saw some things that I don't personally see in my area in your videos. They're awesome though! I eat these little purple flowers that grow everywhere around here that have tubular shoot like pedals. Do u know what they're called? I also used to eat these heart shaped tiny weeds that grow everywhere with yellow in the middle. They're fabulous but I don't know what they're called.

[EatTheWeeds]

@emilykbisignano Got pictures?

[2boddah]

lol thats real cute Dean!

[EatTheWeeds]

@2boddah Well... in those early videos I took some liberties... and the video quality was wanting. I need to remake them. I think Gus The Goose however is gone.

[AresCassell]

I have seen those and the duck potato with the arrowhead leaves you mentioned. What is the difference between the two and is the arrowhead type edible too?

[EatTheWeeds]

@AresCassell They are just variations on a theme and edible.

[onetraveler]

Absent the tubers, would the roots be worth collecting here in FLA Deane?

[EatTheWeeds]

To be honest, I don't know. Sorry. I did send a few emails back and forth to a fellow who said he cooked the lower part of the main plant. But, I have never tried it and I do not know if it is safe. I do know the stem does look like it has a lot of starch in it but I have found no reference to Indians eating stem bottoms. It is not a toxic species but I just don't know. If I remember maybe I will try it this week.

[onetraveler]

Thanks!

[EatTheWeeds]

Good point. I do eat a lot of other thing in my videos. I would eat the duck potatoes but they rarely set tubers this far south and not the time of year I made the video. I* even tried growing them here. I ate them up north. As for their edibility, you don't have to trust me at all. There are plenty of other experts to rely on.

[educution]

Excellent vids. Would help though to see one of those badboys pulled outta the ground. Would also be nice to see you cook and eat it, let us know how tasty or horrible they are with the eye widening technique. Plus a next day hello to make sure you're not dead. How else am i to know you're not a genocidal maniac?

Takes more than a swan to earn my trust.

[Burhan243]

do these grow in southern canada(i live close by toronto, like 45 mins..)

[EatTheWeeds]

Yes, on my website I mention they grow throughout non-desert North America. Actually, the grow much better in northern climates than southern ones.

[Burhan243]

allrigth thanks alot, going foraging tommorow. hopefully..

[EatTheWeeds]

Hmmmm.... this time of year duck potatoes should still be dormant where you are. One tires to get them in the late fall or the early spring. Visit my website for more information.

[doublechinstheband]

Do these grow in Colorado? I would think that it is too dry here.

[EatTheWeeds]

The USDA says they do grow in Colorado, depending upon the country. There are also some other species in your area as well.

[doublechinstheband]

What do you mean by country? Isn't there only one Colorado in the World?

[EatTheWeeds]

Sorry, late night... by county....and I would suspect elevation as well...

[EatTheWeeds]

Oh, absolutely they grow in your area. it is here in the warm south where they are somewhat reluctant. You are in prime duck potato area.

[unityisonlyway2peace]

Hubby and I are tag teaming..watching video and reading your archives..we love this! Thank you.

[EatTheWeeds]

You're welcome, now tell me... who wins?

[unityisonlyway2peace]

I just saw you reply to my comment..I'm slow..it took me a few minutes to realize what you meant by "who wins?"

The answer: It's a win/win ..that always a very good thing for ALL relationships.

[EatTheWeeds]

Well yes and no. The plants grow well here but it is so hot they don't set too many potatoes.

[alienscreatedhumans]

UR SO LUCKY SO MANY POTATOES

[sedghammer]

Another great reference for wapato is Sam Thayer's: A Forager's Harvest (great for Midwest wild edibles).

[sedghammer]

Thanks for posting all of your videos...such a great resource for all of us. I am trying to find these in central Wisconsin, but so far haven't been able to. I tried the foot method a couple months ago only to discover that I was waste deep in Pickerelweed and not wapato. I just remember thinking, why are these rhizomes so large?! Needless to say I was pretty embarrased and a bit dissapointed...but I had a great time doing it!

[EatTheWeeds]

Oh yes, they grow where you are... and finding them sometimes can be a pain. They tend to be arranged like the numbers on a clock with the parent plant at the center of the clock. But, how far out and how deep varies. I note the Indian Braves did not brave the cold water for them.

[gatrwrks]

Isn't this in the arowhead family?

[EatTheWeeds]

Generally speaking yes, but common terms can be used for a wide variety of plants, not all in the same family.

[Khono]

Aww, I wanted to see you harvest 'em with your feet ;) I'd be too worried about leeches :-/

[EatTheWeeds]

Hmmmm, haven't heard of leeches being a problem here in Florida. But, it's rather warm and they don't set too many here.

[Khono]

It's a tradeoff. We have leeches up here, but you have alligators down there.  I'm not sure who has the better deal.

[EatTheWeeds]

In video 24 I go kayaking on the Wekiva River, which has alligators, but they usually stay out of the way. While going up stream I saw three foot-long alligators sunning together on a root so I started to drift back to get some video. I was wearing polarizing sunglasses and as I drifted back I saw a huge alligator go under my kayak towards the baby alligators. I decided I didn't the video.

[avaleila]

can you please do a show about pennywort? I have heard that is super good for you!!

[EatTheWeeds]

Sure, I have blog on them... three kinds grow here.

[girlyoudontknow2]

I doubt there are any around here in Arizona. Too bad, but the prickly pear are delicious.

[EatTheWeeds]

Well, I have not been to Arizona recently but the USDA maps say it does grow in your fine state.

[yardsnacker]

Great! Would like to see you have prepped and eaten the final product! :D

[EatTheWeeds]

Me, too, but they won't be available for several months.

[czarwright]

Always great, why am i hungry now? i have to wait for summer. Peace

Keep it up

[EatTheWeeds]

Trying to be ahead of the seasonal curve....

[EatTheWeeds]

Wasn't there a song that said a.n.t.i.c.p.a.t.i.o.n.

[czarwright]

Thats is it, some new to try and can't wait.