Not all invasives are created equal. Some make for tasty snacks!
By foraging for edible invasives, we can take advantage of these invasives’ deliciousness by using the best predator: humans! Eating invasives can be an additional delicious method to help control the spread of invasive species in the Sea to Sky. Unlike when foraging for native edible plants, there’s no need to worry about over-foraging with edible invasives!
Even though these invasives taste good, please do not intentionally grow them in your garden. This is counterintuitive to our efforts to reduce the threat of invasives in the Sea to Sky region. These species all pose ecological threats to our local native biodiversity, and many of them spread aggressively, meaning that they don’t stay contained to gardens for long.
Not all invasives are created equal. Some make for tasty snacks!
By foraging for edible invasives, we can take advantage of these invasives’ deliciousness by using the best predator: humans! Eating invasives can be an additional delicious method to help control the spread of harmful invasive species in the Sea to Sky.
Even though these invasives taste good, please do not intentionally grow them in your garden. This is counterintuitive to our efforts to reduce the threat of invasives in the Sea to Sky region. These species all pose ecological threats to our local native biodiversity, and many of them spread aggressively, meaning that they don’t stay contained to gardens for long.
Jump to species:
Best Practices for Foraging Invasives
- Make sure that you know what you’re looking for, and that you’re positive about your ID before consuming anything. iNaturalist is a great way to identify plants as you go, or refer to our Species Profile Pages.
- Know whose land you’re on. Before you head out foraging, make sure you have permission to take plant material from the land. In Canada, foraging on public land is allowed, but not in provincial or national parks. Don’t forage on private property unless you have explicit permission from the property owners.
- Avoid areas treated with herbicide. Depending on where you live, some invasive species growing nearby may be treated with herbicide. On public land in the Sea to Sky, there will always be signs in the area warning of herbicide application; keep an eye out for these signs and avoid foraging in these areas.
- Avoid foraging close to roadsides and in recently flooded areas. Plants in these areas may have absorbed harmful chemicals or fumes.
- Dispose of invasives properly. Although it may seem counterintuitive, all unwanted plant parts must be disposed of in the garbage, not the compost. Many invasive species have the ability to grow new individuals from fragments of old ones or have seeds that survive the composting process. This can lead to the spread of these invasives.
Recipes
Links to recipes are organized by invasive species. If you try out one of these recipes be sure to tag us as well as use the hashtag #EdibleInvasives
Common Dandelion
Learn more about Common Dandelion. While Dandelion is not native to this area and tends to reduce local biodiversity, it has become naturalized and its eradication from the landscape is not feasible.
Common Plantain
Learn more about Common Plantain. While Plantain is not native to this area and tends to reduce local biodiversity, it has become naturalized and its eradication from the landscape is not feasible.
Pineapple Weed
Learn more about Pineapple Weed. While Pineapple Weed is not native to this area and tends to reduce local biodiversity, it has become naturalized and its eradication from the landscape is not feasible.
Sheep Sorrel
Learn more about Sheep Sorrel. While Sheep Sorrel is not native to this area and tends to reduce local biodiversity, it has become naturalized and its eradication from the landscape is not feasible.
White Clover
Learn more about White Clover. While White Clover is not native to this area and tends to reduce local biodiversity, it has become naturalized and its eradication from the landscape is not feasible.
Looking for other ways to repurpose invasive species?
Arts and crafts with invasive species are fun and sustainable! Explore our page for DIY crafts and artists to get your creative juices flowing!
