Hidden in Plain Sight: The Wild Edible Plants Thriving in Western North Carolina Backyards
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA — What many consider backyard weeds, two western North Carolina herbalists see as a buffet of nutritious, medicinal, and flavorful plants growing right outside the doorstep.
Herbalists Lead Educational Walk Through UNC Asheville Gardens
At the UNC Asheville Botanical Gardens, herbalists Heather Wood Buzzard and Mimi Prunella Hernandez led a group of 15 nature lovers on a walking tour, pointing out plants that can be eaten or used for health remedies.
“You can do sautéed milkweed buds,” said Buzzard, smiling as she described their taste. “I wanna say it’s cheesy. It’s creamy.”
Hernandez, holding a handful of rose hips, added, “It’s so rich in vitamin C.”
The pair used the outing to demonstrate how many wild edible plants can be found growing freely throughout the mountains of western North Carolina — often overlooked or dismissed as weeds.
The Story Behind the National Geographic Guide
Both women are co-authors of National Geographic’s Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants, a new book that profiles 102 plants found across the continental United States.
Hernandez, the former executive director of the American Herbalists Guild, was first approached by National Geographic in 2020 to write a medicinal herb guide. In 2023, she and Buzzard were invited to co-author a new edition focused entirely on edible wild species.
“The synergy there is extra special because of how we work with edibles,” Hernandez said. “I’m a kitchen herbalist and homesteader, while Heather is a woodland wild crafter and root digger.”
Their collaborative approach blends traditional Appalachian herbalism with practical foraging knowledge and modern safety practices.
Dandelions, Daylilies, and “Underdog” Plants
Among their favorite wild edibles are dandelions, a plant most homeowners pull from their lawns but which the herbalists call a nutrient powerhouse.
“Dandelions are just underdogs,” Buzzard said. “No one in their yard looks at a dandelion and says, ‘Wow, this is the best medicine — this belongs in my first aid kit.’”
The book highlights how the roots support liver health, the flowers are rich in minerals, and the greens make excellent additions to salads.
Other edible western North Carolina natives featured in the guide include:
- Kudzu — young leaves and roots used in teas and stir-fry.
- Daylilies — edible buds and petals rich in fiber.
- Chickweed — tender greens that can be added to soups or pestos.
- Sunflower stalks — peeled to reveal a crunchy, celery-like interior.
Safety and Plant Identification
The herbalists also emphasize caution. Many edible species have toxic look-alikes — a lesson they demonstrated by comparing elderberry, a beneficial fruit, with pokeweed, a poisonous plant that grows nearby.
Buzzard warned against relying solely on phone-based identification apps:
“Do not rely on AI as your only source of identification,” she said. “You also want to use a trusted field guide or consult with a human herbalist or botanist.”
Their National Geographic guide includes zone maps, color photos, and field notes to help foragers safely identify plants in every U.S. region.
The Appalachian Advantage
Both Buzzard and Hernandez agree that western North Carolina is one of the richest regions in North America for plant biodiversity.
“We’re very lucky to live in what may be the most botanically biodiverse region in the world,” Buzzard said. “You can find so many underdog plants here — the ones people overlook — and you’ll often find their cousins growing across the country.”
For the pair, teaching others about native plants isn’t just about food — it’s about reconnecting people with the land, respecting ecology, and reviving local knowledge that has sustained Appalachian families for generations.
Do you think more North Carolina schools and community centers should teach local foraging and plant identification skills? Share your thoughts and join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
