Eat The Weeds: Episode 104: The Perseas

[ScottfromTexas]

One thing I didn't know, however, was the bit about avocados being toxic to other animals. What is even stranger is I have been seeing pet food that advertises avocado as an ingredient. That struck me as odd before but not dangerous.

[ScottfromTexas]

Excellent "time out." I already knew this and never realized people even thought that about animals but I can see why it might be a common misconception. It also goes a long way to undermine the validity of animal testing. The bit about "orchid" made me think for a second or two and then I remembered from my studies discovering what "orchitis" is and realized the meaning. Great comedy, too (all in the timing.)

[XxKevisanxX]

So saw grass is NOT edible?

[EatTheWeeds]

@XxKevisanxX The roots of saw grass are edible.

[RonRay]

I liked this video so well, I watched it twice! (so far... I may watch it more.)

[landroamer1000]

are you in the okephenokee

[EatTheWeeds]

No, Orlando.

[firebrandsgirl]

Do you have classes? I am falling in love with your videos. Oh, in case you didnt' know Disney land is giving away free admission if you volunteer.

[EatTheWeeds]

Yes, go to my website for my upcoming schedule.

[MidnightPsychoKiller]

The bay is related to the avacado. It produces fruits, tiny black berries. Are they edible to humans or poisonous?

[EatTheWeeds]

In the video I say they are toxic. I day the same on my website. They are NOT edible.

[IamIfarI]

Hello, I am interested to find out if arrowwood berries are edible?

[EatTheWeeds]

That's a good question. Which species do you have in mind. Some arrowwood are viburnuns and some viburnuns have edibled berries. FInding out if the common arrowood in Florida is edible is one of my projects. So for now, I would say no.

[IamIfarI]

I believe this one is viburnum dentrum,Little blue berries.

I mistaken them for elderberries...

[Unstr810d]

These videos are terrific! I recognize some of those perseas from my home here in SC. I plan on studying with a local expert soon. It's always good to know how to live off the land!

[hobo59]

Dean I don't know if we (The Fans of Eat The Weeds) can say this enough. But great videos, thank you for your kind service Sir.

[EatTheWeeds]

Thanks ... keep that up and I'll steart spelling my name with capitals....

[hobo59]

Sorry DEANE !

[BJBOBBIJO]

Am I understanding it correctly that not even birds should eat avacadoes like we humans do? Im asking because I throw the avacado peelings out in the chicken pen.

[EatTheWeeds]

Yes, the research says it kills fowl. There is some debate as to which avocado species is worst.

[lesrap]

i know that deer is edible

[EatTheWeeds]

That one was in a state park. Edible yes, but the price would be extemely high, not counting the jail time.

[chrlbaseball88]

are there any perseas native to pennsylvania?

[EatTheWeeds]

Probably not, but the northern bayberry can be used the same way.

[EatTheWeeds]

Great, but as always check with a local to make sure. One can also buy the leaves in Mexican markets. They are used very sparingly because they are toxic in large amounts. It is a trade off between flavor and amounts. Other avocado leaves are quite dangerous so it is important to make sure you have the right ones. The toasted leaves are used for seasoning, soaked leaves for smoke while grilling.

[KiloBravo69]

Hey again Deane,

Wow what a great vid. Bay has always been one of my favorite ingredients for cooking soups, stews and pot roasts. However I would love to learn more about the edible variety of avocado leaf. I just harvested about 30 or so from my neighbors tree and they do indeed smell like licorice when crushed, what other characteristics should I look for to make sure I have the right one?

[feralkevin]

These are powerful and mysterious plants to me. Poisonous to goats!? Really nothing eats the first 3 Persea fruits or seeds?

[EatTheWeeds]

I don't think even birds like them... they are blue marbles and tough. And while there might be something that likes them -- insects perhaps -- I wanted to eiminate the inquiry at the get go. You know.. if the avocado is edible then... (I'm sure you get that kind of email too.) Personally I enjoyed the doe...

[EatTheWeeds]

Part B: The goat part is the amazing thing. Goat usually can eat everything everywhere. They are the insinkerators of the world and often can eat things that kill other livestock. It only goes to show how toxicity can be beast specific. We can eat avocados, they can't. They can eat poison ivy, we can't... or shouldn't. Euell Gibbons said he did but what patch, was it early in the season before the oil production, was it young leaves et cetera. I ain't going to try it.

[gwynedd1]

Hi Mr Green Dean, Goats are amazing. The meat to vegetable energy proposition is typically looked as in arable land. In scrub land where the typical crop is absurd it is the goat that makes a land productive. Those who love their goats too much to eat can certainly eat the cheese. Goats and for that matter Bison are unappreciated for as long as the Ogallala Aquifer holds out I suppose. However I have a reverence for them now.

[EatTheWeeds]

I like goats... always have...they are sensible and can be cuddly, easy to milk, and fun to have around.

[blan101]

Love your videos. I still have to get some time to watch them all as I've only seen a handful. It would be fun to make a video while going through a reserve or park (Big Econ maybe?) and walk the trail while pointing out what is edible.

[EatTheWeeds]

Thanks .. I've done nine or so like that... Wekiva State Park, Rock Spring Run, Turtle Mound, Soldiers Creek and Mead Gardens.

[mrhulot101]

You seem to be having more fun in your videos lately. I enjoy learning from your videos, thanks for sharing with us.

[EatTheWeeds]

Thanks ... I got to 100... to establish a base and an approach. It also took more than a year to learn my video software capabilities (and I'm still learning.) So now I can wander a bit and do slightly different videos, and there are some older ones I should redo. 100 was a good place to change pace.

[FatGuyWithAKatana]

i saw a doe and a few turkeys when i went up to kentucky.

[EatTheWeeds]

I see them fairly often here in Florida.

[NWforager]

8:30 , thank you for clarifying a huge misconception I always hear. Super informative as always.

[EatTheWeeds]

Oh! It is amazing the amount of nonsense one hears about watching animals and eating like them. Just about when you think you've heard it all you hear another outrageous wives tale.

[kimxxxyyy]

what was that big green thing you were drinking? did you find it wild or was it from a store?

[EatTheWeeds]

That was a green coconut. They grow in south Florida,and of course elsewhere around the world.

[kimxxxyyy]

wonderful (:

[meeputube]

Ever made pine straw tea?

[meeputube]

Pine Needle tea *

[EatTheWeeds]

Yes, I did a video on the pine recently. #92.

[coolmike97]

hey do u know wats edible in canada ontario im really eager cause i always see some berries around]

[EatTheWeeds]

Yes, there are several hundred plants. A good place to start is with the book "A Forager's Harvest" by Samual Thayer. He's in your area and explore 36 edible plants extensively.

[gwynedd1]

I have that book and recommend it highly. I am in Northern Illinois so he is a good source for me. He also has many articles floating on the web from a news letter called the forager. Most of my jams and syrups use apples pectin as a result of one of the articles.

[coolmike97]

thank you for telling me ur videos are great :D

[PsychicGirl25]

do these grow in Connecticut?

[EatTheWeeds]

No, but the northern bayberry does and can be used the same way. Hmmm Myrica Gale I think.....