Prunus serotina var. serotina (Black cherry)
Events, Past

Prescott Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk (4/22/23)

Join Charles for a Prescott Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk

When: Saturday, April 22nd, 9am to 12noon.

Where: Prescott vicinity.

Meet-up point: 9am, meet up in the Walmart parking lot (far end, by the Garden Center, closest to Prescott Lakes Parkway). 3050 E, AZ-69, Prescott, AZ 86301.

Acer negundo (Box elder)
Acer negundo (Box elder)

Additional: We’ll be in the middle-mountain Oak-Juniper elevations for this plant walk. The region has a nice interplay of scrub covered hillsides divided by intermittent stream drainages, which provides an abundance of utilitarian plant life. Black cherry is found occasionally. Having both edible (fruit) and medicinal (bark) uses, it’s an important small tree to know. The bark is used like Wild cherry – as a lung-oriented anti-inflammatory and cough suppressant. Red root and Wild oregano are two other medicinal plants we should see. Red root, with its unique influence of lymphatic activity, and profoundly antimicrobial Wild oregano, are fine additions to any therapeutic plant medicine chest.

Thelesperma megapotamicum (Greenthread)
Thelesperma megapotamicum (Greenthread)

As for edible plants, various Oak species are abundant. All are leached (acorns) to be made more digestible. This is the time for foraging Box elder. Its keys (winged seeds) are at that perfect non-fibrous preformed stage. Wild grape is beginning to flower. Not all Vitis arizonica stands produce palatable grapes, but the plants in the area in fact do. Equally good eaten fresh or prepared as a jelly, they make for a wonderful edible. If fortunate, we may encounter Greenthread (aka Hopi [or Navajo] tea), a small herbaceous perennial. The foliage makes a delightful beverage.

All in all I’ll discuss or touch on 25-30 species.

Mini Book Signing: After we finish, I’ll have a book signing at the vehicles for anyone who wants to purchase a book (or bring your own copy for me to sign). I’ll have these titles available to sign/purchase:

  • Medicinal Plants of Western Mountain States (covers high elevation SW/Western plants)
  • Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest (covers low elevation SW plants)
  • Wild Edible Plants of Arizona
  • Sonoran Desert Food Plants