Hi Dave,

This is a great podcast and I'm enjoying it as I write this. I just wanted to ask whether or not you may be conflating Smilax and Devil's Walking Stick. I think that the common name for smilax around here is "catbrier", and it is edible raw. As are the COOKED tender shoots of devil's walking stick (aralia spinosa). But you don't want to confuse the two and eat the latter raw, as it is poisonous.

Also, I think the "weed" plantain is pronounced like PLANT-in.

FWIW,

Joel

People around here also call the smilax catbrier. There are specific things to look for to identify it so you don't get it confused with devil's walking stick. Most notably, the tendrils on smilax are opposite each other. So I always look for the opposite/forked tendrils and I know I've got the right one.

Just wanted to let you know that I finally tried eating some devil's walking stick today. I harvested some of the tender shoots from the tops of the plants and sauteed them in a little coconut oil and sea salt. They were pretty good, but had a bitter aftertaste. It could be that it's getting too late in the season for these.


Thanks for sharing the info!

joelsephus said:Just wanted to let you know that I finally tried eating some devil's walking stick today. I harvested some of the tender shoots from the tops of the plants and sauteed them in a little coconut oil and sea salt. They were pretty good, but had a bitter aftertaste. It could be that it's getting too late in the season for these.


Thanks for sharing the info!

Hi, How lucky I know that you have tried the Devil Walking stick top, I was searching for this trees for months for my daughter treatment. Could you please help let me know how can I obtain some leaves?
Thank you so much!