Some useful Wild Plants for Backpackers

Category: Wilderness Survival

The followings are useful wildplants to know of that occurs in the Northern Hemisphere. These plants are not meant to be eaten, but provides other forms of usage, essential for wilderness survival and wellbeing.

Milkweeds

With the preparation some parts of the Milkweed can be eaten.

However, as described in a previous article, the seed fluff of the milkweed can be used to start a fire. This is because this part is highly flammable. Seed fluffs can easily catch a fire from sparks. A Magnesium firestarter can be used to first create the sparks.

In addition to that, seed fluffs can be used for keeping warm. This is attributed to it insulating property. A way of keeping the hands warm is to filled a bag with these milkweed seed fluffs. Put the hands into the filled bag to stay insulated. Additionally, seed fluffs can also be tuck into areas such as sleeves for some form of insulation.

Milkweed

Cattails

Cattails occurs in swampy or wet areas throughout the northern hemisphere of the planet. They are quite easy to identify.

They are several parts of the Cattails that can be consumed. However, it is really more useful than that. Like the seed fluff of a Milkweed, the fluff of the cattail seed head can be used to start a fire from sparks. The old fluffy seed heads are clinging to the tops of the stalks. Like milkweed fluff, the cattail fluff can be used for keeping warm as well.

Additionally, the slender and flat leaves can be used for weaving. In fact, trays, baskets and sleeping mats can be constructed from them.

Cattails

Yuccas There are about 40 different species of Yuccus. This is a easy to recognise plant because of its sharp ended sword-like leaves. The leaves of Yucca plant contain bundles of long, slender fiber cells which can pulled out from the leaf blade like strands of thread. These strong leaf fibers can be used for making ropes or twines by braiding. And the resultant rope can be quite strong. Parts of the Yucca can also be improvised and be used like needles and threads. Thus they are very useful for making repair works to clothings. How do we go about doing this? Firstly, cut the tip of a yucca leaf from the inside to about an inch down and about halfway through. Next, by bending it backwards, we should be able to peel some fibers strands out from the leaf. The interesting thing is that these fibers which stay attached to the tip of the leaf. It is very possible to pull fairly long strands of fibers in this manner. You see, by doing the steps as described, we have made improvised needle and threads which can be used for sewing. Isn't it cool.

Yuccas

Garlic and onion

The juice extracted from crushed garlic and onion can repel insects. By smearing them on, they can acts as insect repellents

Well, these are some of the useful wildplants and their applications. Hope that this essay has been useful

Additional resources:

Medicinal Plants For Backpackers
A useful list of wildplants with medicinal properties ..