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RE: Wild moss that grows on land chili
Yes, I was going to say that - Duck weed. Great for compost and absolutely edible but high in oxalic acid(?) and should be used as flavoring instead of a staple.
Yes, I was going to say that - Duck weed. Great for compost and absolutely edible but high in oxalic acid(?) and should be used as flavoring instead of a staple.
My understanding is that the species and water quality make a big difference. The folks who have established traditions of eating duckweed would have "the good stuff" versus any of us just scooping it up from a farm ditch or creek. I'm not so concerned about the oxalic acid, which is in so many plants and bound up by eating calcium-rich foods, like cheese or milk.
But any duckweed that has high calcium oxalate would be something else. No amount of boiling will take care of that, only thorough dehydration. Calcium oxalate is the same stuff that's in skunk cabbage leaves. It's painful unless it's treated right. Based on experience, it's one way I separate out books where the authors just repeat information without actually trying stuff out, versus books where people have real experience. Great for compost, for sure, for any of the duckweed! There must be a lot of nitrogen on those fields! : )
Yes. I was just reading up on that in case my comment was misleading. I actually have duckweed growing in my little indoor ponds and occasionally take a little in my salads. But kidney stones? Not worth the little bit of spice it brings. I read that you can grow them in low mineral water and it "might be safe", but that's not good enough for me.
I eat a lot of plants that have oxalic acid in them, like Swiss chard, rhubarb, spinach, and plenty others. So I compare any wild foods to some of these and adjust accordingly. It's one reason I like using so many different wild plants - no one is going to be dominant in what I eat.
thank you, it has been explained to me @haphazard-hstead
yes right, thanks for the information @baerdric