George Hedgepeth is a seasoned naturalist, survival instructor, and educator with decades of experience studying wild edible and medicinal plants. His expertise is grounded in extensive fieldwork, traditional knowledge research, and a deep understanding of plant ecology. In addition to his botanical and ethnobotanical background, he teaches practical wilderness skills and contributes his knowledge as an instructor at Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute, where he helps students develop competence in foraging, plant identification, and foundational survival techniques. His work reflects a commitment to both scientific understanding and hands‑on, experience‑based learning.
The study of wild plants for food, medicine, and practical use is supported by a rich body of literature. The following overview, based on recommendations compiled by George Hedgepeth, highlights a selection of books that have proven valuable for identifying plants, understanding their uses, and exploring their ecological and cultural contexts. While some titles may be more difficult to obtain than others, each offers meaningful insight for students of useful plants. This list is not exhaustive, and many other high‑quality works exist, particularly those tailored to specific regions.
According to Hedgepeth’s recommendations, an excellent starting point for beginners is A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants by Lee Peterson. The Peterson Guides are widely respected for their clarity and practicality. This particular volume includes identification tips and suggestions for plant use, illustrated primarily with pen‑and‑ink drawings. Although some readers prefer photographic guides, the illustrations are clear and effective for field identification.
Several additional books form a strong foundation for further study. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide is notable for its intuitive key system, which allows users to identify unfamiliar plants with relative ease. Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants by Elias and Dykeman expands on edible species with detailed color photographs and nutritional information. Hedgepeth also emphasizes the importance of a reliable reference on poisonous species, recommending Common Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America by Turner and Szczawinski.
Beyond these core texts, regional guides and books focused on plant uses are valuable additions. Anthropological works, such as Francis Densmore’s research on Indigenous plant use, provide cultural context and deepen the reader’s understanding of traditional knowledge. Resources that explore plant communities and ecological relationships help readers develop a broader perspective on the environments in which useful plants grow.
With these materials, students of wild plants can build a strong foundation for identifying, harvesting, and understanding the species around them.
Selected Bibliography
(As compiled by George Hedgepeth)
Brill, Stephen, and Evelyn Dean. Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places. New York: Hearst Books, 1994.
Densmore, Francis. How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine and Crafts. New York: Dover Books, 1974.
Duke, James A. Handbook of Edible Weeds. Ann Arbor: CRC Press, 1992.
Elias, Thomas S., and Peter A. Dykeman. Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. New York: Outdoor Life Books, 1982.
Elliot, Doug. Roots: An Underground Botany and Forager’s Guide. Old Greenwich, Connecticut: The Chatham Press, 1976.
Elpel, Thomas J. Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification. Pony, Montana: Hollowtop, 1996.
Gibbons, Euell. Stalking the Wild Asparagus. New York: David McKay Co., 1962.
Krumm, Bob. The Great Lakes Berry Book. Helena, Montana: Falcon, 1996.
Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co., 1977.
Nyerges, Christopher. Guide to Wild Foods and Useful Plants. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 1999.
Patton, Darryl. Mountain Medicine: The Herbal Remedies of Tommie Bass. Gadsden, Alabama: Little River Press, 2004.
Peterson, Lee. A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Boston: Houghton‑Mifflin Co., 1978.
Thayer, Samuel. The Forager’s Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants. Ogema, Wisconsin: Forager’s Harvest, 2006.
Thayer, Samuel. Nature’s Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants. Birchwood, Wisconsin: Forager’s Harvest, 2010.
Turner, Nancy J., and Adam F. Szczawinski. Common Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America. Timber Press, 2003.
Weatherbee, Ellen Elliott, and James Bruce. Edible Wild Plants of the Great Lakes Region. University of Michigan, 1979.
Woodward, Lucia. Poisonous Plants: A Color Field Guide. New York: Hippocrene Books, 1985.
Zachos, Ellen. Backyard Foraging: 65 Familiar Plants You Didn’t Know You Could Eat. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing, 2013.
***If you’re interested in diving deeper into wilderness skills, hands‑on survival training, or comprehensive courses on edible and medicinal plants, explore the programs at survivalschoolmichigan.com. It’s an excellent next step for anyone ready to turn curiosity into real‑world capability.***