Wild Foodies of Philly FIELD GUIDE!
WILD BEANS!
This is a work-in-progress. Go to www.WildFoodies.org for more information. Send comments & corrections to lynnlandes@earthlink.net.
General links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_edible_seeds#Legumes
http://www.wildpantry.com/beans.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bean_tree - not all edible
HYACINTH BEAN – edible leafs, flower, pods, sprouts, beans
http://ww
w.eatthew
eeds.com
/hyacinthbeanpurpleproteinand-more-2/ METHOD OF PREPARATION: Numerous. Young
leaves edible fresh or dried, young pods with immature seeds, edible
cooked. Flowers and sprouts edible raw or cooked. Older non-dry
beans cooked. Dry beans soaked and cooked in two changes of
water. Older beans, leaves and pods strong in flavor and texture.
Young and tender is better and safer. Roots cooked.
LUPINI BEANS - CAUTION: They must be prepared correctly or
there is a risk of alkaloid poisoning.
AMERICAN GROUNDNUT/ WILD BEAN / HOPNISS – edible
shoots, flowers, the seeds that grow in pods like peas, and the very
important tubers – high in protein, but must be properly prepared.
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https://orionmagazine.org/article/stalking-the-wild-groundnut/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Apios_americana
http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Apios+americana
HONEY LOCUST – beans & pods only edible when young and
green, dark dry beans used as coffee substitute
http://firstways.com/2011/11/01/wild-candy-in-thehoney-locust-tree/
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Gl
editsia+triacanthos
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupinus_mutabilis &
http://www.wildpantry.com/beans.htm (scroll down)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupin_bean
http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Lupinus+mutabilis
KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE – dry seeds must be roasted, use with
much caution
BLACK LOCUST – Use caution re: seeds, questions on edibility
http://www.seeds-gallery.com/en/black-locust-treeseeds.html
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinNam
e=Gymnocladus+dioica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_coffeetre
e#Food The seed may be roasted and used
as a substitute for coffee beans; however, unroasted pods and seeds
are toxic.
BEAN TREE / CATALPA – used as a medicinal tea
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2057/
Over the years, the catalpa has served many
medicinal purposes. At one time the Native
Americans used it as an antidote for snake bites.
The tea made from its bark acts as a sedative, and it
also produces a mild narcotic reaction. At times the
tea from the bark was also used as a substitute for
quinine in treating malaria. Its seed tea was used to treat whooping
cough as well as asthma and bronchitis. Its leaves were used as a
poultice on wounds and abrasions.
http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Robinia+
pseudoacacia