Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University.
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Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.Current and Past Executive and Advisory Committee Members.The coordinators of the Oklahoma Proven program would like to thank the followingįor their cooperation and/or financial support: Wildscape: Plant possesses one or more characteristics ideal for habitation by birds, butterfliesĭrought resistant: After initial establishment period (up to two years), plant can withstand short-term or a cultivar or hybrid derived from native Native: Plant indigenous to the continental U.S. The following symbols are used to feature Drought resistance has become an important selectionĬriteria for landscape materials, and many of the selections highlighted in this guideĪre recognized for their low water usage. Since using well-adapted plants should lead to greater gardening success and moreĮnvironmentally friendly gardens. Tolerant of the varied and challenging environmental conditions found throughout Oklahoma, The goal has been to select plants that are Mature Silverleaf Nightshade fruit (POISONOUS)īuy my book! Idiots Guide Foraging covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.Started in 1999, Oklahoma Proven is a plant evaluation and marketing program designed to help consumers select theīest plants for their Oklahoma Gardens. Immature Silverleaf Nightshade fruit (POISONOUS) Silverleaf Nightshade produces round, hanging fruit which starts out striped green and eventually turns yellow/orange. Lamb's Quarter flowers are almost unnoticeable.ģ. Silverleaf Nightshade flowers are big and purple. Lamb's Quarter stems have no thorns, have the purple "armpit rash", and curve smoothly but very little at each leaf/stem joint.Ģ. Silverleaf Nightsade stems have thorns, lack the purple color at joints, and "kink" quit a bit at each leaf junction. The leaves of Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) have a similar shape to those of Lamb's Quarter but the differences between the two are very easy to spot:ġ. This is a good companion crop to grow in your garden as many insects prefer to eat the leaves of lamb's quarters over the leaves of common vegetables. To use simply defrost and add them in to whatever you are cooking of a burst of summer nutrition! Shake them dry, seal them in a freezer bag with all the air pressed out or use a vacuum sealer, then place them in the freezer. Blanch the leaves by dipping them in boiling water for one minute then quickly cool them off in ice water. Lamb's quarter leaves can be frozen for later use.
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This smell was once described to me by an old-timer as "The smell of a good night in a bad house." Anyway, once you smell it you'll never forget it. The mild flavor of the leaves makes them excellent for cutting the bitterness of other wild greens but they taste better cooked than raw.Ĭrushing a leaf releases a very distinctive, somewhat musky scent. It is a very nutritious plant, higher in protein, vitamins, and minerals than spinach. Seeds are harvested in late fall to early winter. The small, soft (almost velvety) leaves and tender stems at the growing tip of each branch are best for eating and can be harvested from spring until killed by winter frost. This common weed can grows all summer long reaching a height of 5' or taller. North American distribution, attributed to U. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping. Most people don't realize those bumps are flowers! Mature lamb's quarter (approximately 5-feet tall).Ĭlose-up of topside of leaf from lower on a mature plant.Ĭlose-up of underside of leaf from lower on a mature plant.Ĭlose-up of lamb's quarter "flowers". To remember this I tell people to think of it as "purple armpit rashes". Note the red/purple coloring at the stem-branch joints. Larger lamb's quarter, perfect for eating.
![weed with soft thorns in west texas weed with soft thorns in west texas](https://turf.caes.uga.edu/content/dam/caes-subsite/georgiaturf/images/weed-management/MURNU2.jpg)
Nutritional Value: high in vitamins A,C,K,B, minerals, and proteinĭangers: beware poisonous mimic Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) Where: yards, fields, disturbed areas, sunny How: Young leaves/stems raw, stir-fried, steamed or boiled seeds boiled like couscous or grind for flour