EatTheWeeds: Episode 122: Sword Fern

[angrynhpatriot]

i eat weed

[shdebra]

debrashaub7@gmail.com love to heard from you thank you for all your good work i post you a lot

[ConcernedMushroom]

why do ferns sometimes require "microscopic identification" ? i've listened to it three times and cannot quite catch what you are saying at 8:37

thanks, always enjoy your videos

[EatTheWeeds]

@ConcernedMushroom I say they often need microscopic examination because "they can be rather difficult."

[phrankus2009]

Hey, Dean ... Though you do wear "frilly" well, I (for one) am thankful that you changed back into your safaari-duds, early on (there's no accounting for taste). ... I am very glad to learn that, next time I stay at the Waldorf, I can skip the mini-bar and go straight to the main lobby, for a free snack. Sure do wish you lived in Austin. Would just love to hike the various eco-zones, of Central Texas, with you. From the looks of your yard, you don't often need to venture very far.

[EatTheWeeds]

@phrankus2009 Got to be a pirate now and then

[AresCassell]

I live outside Orlando and have seen this fern growing everywhere. I have yanked it a few times but have found no tubers though :*^(

[EatTheWeeds]

@AresCassell There are five species of sword ferns in Florida, only one has the tubers. Also, if it has been dry in the area the ferns will have used the water in the tubers and not have them.

[AresCassell]

@EatTheWeeds Ohh I see.

[emmthreejonny]

We have these ferns around the house I never knew we could eat them. This is great.

[EatTheWeeds]

@emmthreejonny You can't eat the ferns. Only their swollen stolons.

[emmthreejonny]

@EatTheWeeds Lol. Oh yes I watch the entire video to know exactly what part is edible. Thanks.

[EatTheWeeds]

@emmthreejonny I'd feel better if you also read the accompanying article on my website...

[emmthreejonny]

@EatTheWeeds Okay I will thank you. I also went to you blog. Great stuff.

[HeikeGanjiro]

I have ferns in my yard and the roots and tubers look identical to sword fern but the foliage is totally different looking almost like pine needles. Are these tubers edible? Thank you.

[EatTheWeeds]

@HeikeGanjiro As you described, no, they are NOT edible. .

[HeikeGanjiro]

@EatTheWeeds Thank you Dean, they went into the compost pile.

[ShaunnaIsHere]

Always inspiring. Thanks, Dean!

[28bull]

Are tubers,if any, on SW Penna fiddlehead safe to eat.?

[EatTheWeeds]

@28bull Unknown. These are water storage units of sword ferns. Some ferns have starchy roots that are edible but you would have to identify the species first.

[patje0109]

Good to know, I have Sword farn in my garden!!!

Thanks for sharing Dean!

[heathermle]

I went on a walk with a medicine woman last year who said that sword fern is good topically for things like sprained ankles, Have you heard of this at all?

Also do you know if Ostrich ferns are the only ferns to be used for fiddleheads?

[heathermle]

I love what you are doing, I've been trying for a few years to learn about wild edibles and as far as written material information seems scarce. It is sad that so little people have this knowledge these days, but people like you are definitely helping to change that. Where have you learned from?

Do you know of any poisonous ferns?

[scott102164]

Would these tubers have any significant nutrional value?

[EatTheWeeds]

@scott102164 They have some nutrition, but mostly water.

[RaidenTheAlmighty]

There's no chance of confusing these with any kind of poisonous counterparts?

[EatTheWeeds]

@RaidenTheAlmighty If one does not look close enough there is always a change. If you have a Nephrolepis and it has a water storage unit, it is edible. That storage unit is different than a starchy root.

[RaidenTheAlmighty]

The "tubers" on ferns I have are about the size of marble, hairy and watery.

[squidguts]

Your like the Alton Brown of the plant world. Born and raised in Florida and an advent camper I was always searching for information on edible plants and came up with little to nothing, thank you for providing the information I always wanted to know. Keep on doing what your doing.

[CORNP00]

If i put the tubers in a cool dry area, will they stay preserved and fresh for long periods of time? will the tubers spoil/go bad over time?

[EatTheWeeds]

@CORNP00 They don't spoil per se but they do dry out. Their function is to act a a water reservoir.

[Yameuh17]

They are sword-of green fern-instance!

[PissedFechtmeister]

Are tubers of all ferns edible or just the sword ferns?

[EatTheWeeds]

@PissedFechtmeister No it varies from species to species.

[jephboy]

I used to think my mom was crazy for eating ferns, but then I noticed it actually tasted OK. Then I got used to eating them. I haven't eaten fern in awhile, but they're literally all over the place in the Pacific Northwest. You can't go into the forests without seeing them.

[EatTheWeeds]

@jephboy The day we become our parents is a shock. 

[mariemorris60]

Hoping for Episode 123 soon. All the videos are terrific. Can't wait for more.

Marie

[EatTheWeeds]

@mariemorris60 Did 123 and 124

[jrny4wrd]

Don't worry about the cancer with the ostrich fern. They never new exactly what fern it came from but I have been eating the ostrich fern fiddle heads for a long time , as well as many ppl in maine were I learned about them. Sam Thayer has 2 books out with a ton of facts. His books are very knowledgeable. Most people commonly believe it was the bracken fern that caused the problems.

[SHTFMilitia]

Great video, so are they a little like Grapes ?

[EatTheWeeds]

@SHTFMilitia No. More like an astringent water chestnuts crossed with a potato. 

[geraldlee33]

If you pull these up and take the tuber's can you put the roots back into the ground and they keep on growing.

[123JumpingJacks]

Can you do an episode on New jersey weeds to eat? 

[EatTheWeeds]

@123JumpingJacks Thanks for writing. Weeds don't know state lines. The majority of the plants on my website and my videos are in your area. Or, look up Wildman Steve Brill. He is a forager of note in your area.

[CrypticCRICKET]

I just went out back and pulled up a clump of sword ferm to see if it had the little round tubors. Mine did so I plucked a couple off, washed em up, and tasted them. They're not bad. Crunchy, like a raw onion. Their flavor was somewhere between a potato and a walnut. Now I'll have something real to eat when the N.W.O. makes cultivated food so rare that they start selling Soylent Green as a food substitute. LOL. ;) I replanted the clump of sword ferns.

[likelivingstones]

what did you say about cancer? more on this please sir.

[EatTheWeeds]

@likelivingstones Fern fiddleheads, such as those picked in the spring in northern climates, are implicated in causing cancer. The chemical even causes cancer when it leaches into the water supply. Like many things, a few cooked fiddleheads in the spring probablly aren't bad.

[RawFoodGuy99]

i don't believe plants can cause cancer but alot of plants have characteristics of what they help heal or in some rare cases cause,tubers do look like cancer !

[Whistt]

Why is your face so yellow and red....something looks wrong....

[EatTheWeeds]

@Whistt Lighting perhaps... I know it wasn't something I ate...

[gaiagale]

@EatTheWeeds Lighning Indeed! ....bwah hahaha ...my first 2012 snorting(rather graceless) laugh but delightful (bubbles of giggles still erupting as I type)

wishing you a wonderful wonderfilled 2012

[ericladnier]

It's official! You now have more hats than anyone else on youtube.

[EatTheWeeds]

@ericladnier Ha ha... you don't know the half of it...

[SPrestwood]

I just finished watching all 122 videos, it took me 31 days and I cant wait for the next 122.

[EatTheWeeds]

@SPrestwood Wow... even I don't watch them all. Can I send you something for the headache you must have?

[survivethewild]

Hmmm ... Himalayas, New Zealand, and Florida. Interesting.

So I'm gonna go out on a wide sword here and guess that if planted outside in a cold climate (in spring), like say New England, they would grow to an edible invasive species?

- Joe

[Farfromhere001]

can you eat raw potatoes???

[EatTheWeeds]

@Farfromhere001 Of course... as long as they don't have green-ish skins and or sprouts.

[scotchheather]

Wait...aren't those the nitrogen fixing nodules on the plant?

[EatTheWeeds]

@scotchheather I don't think so. They are for water storage.The plant often grows on trees and needs to store rain water.

[scotchheather]

You're adorable. No really. Adorable.  Especially in a puffy shirt. (Oh, don't get nervous. You're not quite as adorable as say....my little black labrador. Or Brad Pitt.) Love the videos. I never know exactly what I'm gonna find.

[EatTheWeeds]

@scotchheather so... I am not as adorable as a dog or a boy.... I can live with that....

[gaiagale]

oops! I began reading the comments from the beginning ...I know now that if I had read further I would have been able to answer my own curiosity

thanks again for sharing your knowledge

[tigger8895]

You did a great job! Thank you so much... I hope you get a show soon!

[pastorgeorgec]

thank you for another wonderful video Deanne

[GunClingingPalin]

wow... the drama... love it.. you really moved up a few notches from low budget didn't you? :)

[rstephensonable]

What a beautiful salad!  ...and I had no idea about the sword fern - excellent!

[Danuishi]

NO WAY!!!!! Thank you!

[liphttam]

Some sword ferns were just planted at my house :)

[BACKWOODSBLISS]

Would the tubers of the Asparagus fern be edible as well? Asparagus densiflorus

[EatTheWeeds]

@BACKWOODSBLISS While some species of Asparagus do have edible roots Asparagus densiflorus' roots are not listed as edible.

[godsend420]

kiwi hell yea and good vid what is the taste like?

[BACKWOODSBLISS]

Good to see a new video from ya.

[zestoslife]

Over here we call the purple potatoes generically a Maori potato or specifically Tutaekuri or Urenika. What are they called in the US?

[gaiagale]

@zestoslife ...interesting ...thanks for sharing your knowledge ...I'm curious to know if they have a name other than 'purple potatoe' too

[charronfamilyconnect]

Sorry I wasn't very specific. I am in the north eastern side of the border Near ontario/quebec Canada if that helps.

[EatTheWeeds]

@charronfamilyconnect thanks for writing... actually the majority of the plants I mention are in your area but if you want a naturalist closer to you google Steve Brill.

[rshighfill]

@EatTheWeeds- What about the Ozarks in MO? I see all kinds of plants and mushrooms around here that aren't listed in any of my books. Like the red dead nettle that I wrote you about before.. There's a weed here that people call chokeberry and I've been curious about that lately too.. Some people say it can cause paralysis in your throat and make it hard to breath and say it's totally unedible..

[EatTheWeeds]

@rshighfill The fruits of Aronia arbutifolia and Aronia melanocarpa were used as food by Indians. They are often unpleasant to eat raw because of their astringency ad are better cooked.

[EatTheWeeds]

@charronfamilyconnect Or Samuel Thayer.

[charronfamilyconnect]

@EatTheWeeds Thanks for the references. I will check into that. Ever heard of Mark Boyle, a young economics grad who lived for I believe two years without money. He lived off the land by a forest,combined with a small vegetable garden. I wouldn't mind living in the woods like grizzly adams for a few months just to experience an environment without materialism. Thanks again!

[charronfamilyconnect]

Thanks for the amazing videos. Very informative. Do you have any for the northern parts of North america. I live just north of Canada/US border . I was wondering what kind of weeds I could eat out here . I know we have dandelions for example but I dont know what else is edible in the outdoors here. Any references/videos about edibles in my parts? Thanks!

[DemonHide]

I got some ferns around my place, I'll check to see if they're the same species (probably not).

[YNOT100026]

@DemonHide Okay, thanks for telling us.

[m4xx0ut]

reminds me of grapes

[bcafotw]

Green Deane thank you sir for your time and dedication, i use these ferns often,all the best , Tom / JC

[MRBARTHEL]

Love your videos. Thanks for the education it is priceless. 

[blanklable1223]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[otakop67]

Deane, will the fern survive if you replant it after harvesting the tubers? Also, will it grow more tubers?

[EatTheWeeds]

@otakop67 Yes and yes.

[otakop67]

@EatTheWeeds Thanks for your answer! Looks like I'll need to stop in a garden shop this weekend and pick one up.

[thanrose]

@otakop67 Yeah, it will keep growing and it will produce more tubers eventually, probably almost a year later though.

[guest2424]

"Nephrolepis cordifolia"

I believe I have some of those in my yard and in some woods. A+ video.

I might have to try one if i properly ID it 100% without any question ;).

OMG! KIWI!!!!!! MMMMMM!!!!! KIWI is one of the best fruits IMO.

[EatTheWeeds]

@guest2424 There was a method to my madness. I used the purple potatoes to compliment the fern tubers and the kiwi (and to a lesser extent the red pepper) to add sweetness. The lime juice was the tart.

[spenfisher2]

7:54 where do you get purple potatos and would they grow in ohio

[EatTheWeeds]

@spenfisher2 Purple potatoes? You can get them from almost any seed store or grocery store. Yes, they will grow in Ohio.

[spenfisher2]

@EatTheWeeds thanks

[gaiagale]

@EatTheWeeds ...I see you ?'d 'Purple potatoes' ...I'm curious to know what the purple oviodish looking things were that you sliced for your raw salad

thanks for sharing

[FatGuyWithAKatana]

i have those growing outside my door, i like to strip all the leaves and throw them at people.

[EatTheWeeds]

@FatGuyWithAKatana You mean you like to ... fernish.... them.

[FatGuyWithAKatana]

@EatTheWeeds oh ho! i get it :D

[dzikismiki]

@EatTheWeeds haha

[hellerZauberer]

@EatTheWeeds Lol. A pun, really? :D

[gaiagale]

@EatTheWeeds bwah haha...very punny : )

[EatTheWeeds]

@gaiagale When it comes to puns about ferns I am very frond of them.

[LeonRFpoa]

Hey green Deane- do we have these up in Georgia? Methinks I see quite a few of them.

[EatTheWeeds]

@LeonRFpoa Yes, they have spread into Georgia in the last 70 years.

[4micaman]

Always enjoy your videos Dean. ~Steve

[GrdnovGreens]

I'm curious if the plant could be repotted once the tubers are harvested. I have some river fern (as my grandmother called it), I'll have to check and see if that is edible, I never even thought! I actually took a clump from a river to my grandmother when I was a kid, some 30 years ago. The original has been divided though the whole family it seems :) Would be fascinating to find out this whole time we have been growing an edible!

[EatTheWeeds]

@GrdnovGreens The function of the tubers is to store water in good times for use in dry times.

[digdugdiggy]

Green Bean, I would really love to see an episode about plants that you can use as cordage, and drop spinning!

[EatTheWeeds]

@digdugdiggy Green Deane... Deane.... I specialize in edible not tie-ables .... however I have done videon on at least two plants imported specifically for cordage, Caesar weed and skunk vine.

[guest2424]

@digdugdiggy I burst out laughing when i read "Green Bean".

[DrunknShooter]

I used to work in a building that had lots of them in the lobby. Good thing I didn't know about this when I worked there or I'd have been pulling up plants on those days I was too broke to buy lunch.

[skate4theherb]

@DrunknShooter HAHAHA GREAT STORY.i feel you on that

[timberboy1984]

hey dean what other ferns are edible

[EatTheWeeds]

@timberboy1984 In the sword fern entry on my website I list the ferns that have been used for other than fiddleheads.