Mike,
I think there is a lot you dont know about natives :)
We have many natives that are edible and are a lot more nutritious!
Such as the Chenopodiums.
Here is a link for natives and naturalized that gives nutritional values
of some of the most common
http://www.edibleplants.com/wepnut_frames.htm
And as for *digging roots* and gathering nuts, well, that is a very
common thing for gardeners to do.
If we grew more native edibles, we would have easier and more productive
gardens.
Now, not saying we should grow all the usuals too! And even some
exotics, but dont toss out the idea of cultivating natives as food
sources.
GL
zone 3-4 north dakota (where we have tons of wild mustards! )
Michael Vanecek wrote:
I beg to differ with you both, but....many veggies we grow in the US
and elsewhere had their beginings in the part of the world where
Serene now lives. Radishes
from there to name only one.=20
Look back through the Plant Talks for place of origin. You will see
many say either Egypt, MiddleEast...that area, or Mediterranean..and
Syria is in that area, too.=20
I have no idea why there are not more seed varieties open to her
there, unless she looked in the wrong place....or more likely the
farmers there save their own seeds which they probably have done for
centuries. It could be something entirely different. Dunno.=20
Serene has mentioned before that growing your own food in Syria seems
not to be the normal thing anymore. Perhaps it is the laws of supply
and demand that are the problem.=20
Can't you just see the sighs of relief from the plants when they
realize they are truly 'home at last!'? LOL=20
We have adapted most vegetable and fruit plants to grow where they
do. It doesn't mean it is the optimum place for them to be...just
the place we find necessary for them to be so that we can eat!=20
Gloria, Texas
US zone 8a
