While it does contain a lot of good information and covers an excellent selection of species, it is also full of inaccuracies - and how can a reader know what to trust? Out of the dozens of edible plant books I have, this is one of the least accurate and I believe is based on comparatively little first-hand experience. The misinformation and omissions are too numerous to list, but here are a few examples:

Jack-in-the-pulpit and skunk cabbage cannot be simply dried to eliminate their calcium oxalate. Believing this would be potentially dangerous, and painful at best. They require prolonged extreme dessication under hot conditions (I have some of both kinds that have been drying for 8 years and still have calcium oxalate a-plenty), or prolonged baking (days or weeks). Also, the book does not even mention that eastern and western skunk cabbage are completely different plants, nor does it specify which one it is talking about. The documentation of their food uses differs.

The drawing of arrowhead tubers looks so dramatically unlike the real thing that you would never know if you found them. The jerusalem artichoke tubers depicted are a cultivated form, which looks and tastes quite different from the typical wild type.

This book is not very good for identification and doesn't even use the scientific names of the plants. The preparation sections are typically 1-3 sentences - not much at all. Much of the text seems like space filler, although it is a good read.

All of the info in this book is easy to find in other books - the author doesn't seem to contribute anything to this field. If you have this book, keep it and refer to it. If you are considering getting into foraging, don't make it a priority. Depending on your location, check out Edible Wild Plants of the Prairie, Steve Brill's wild food book, Abundantly Wild (Midwest), The Euell Gibbons books, or Nancy Turner's books for the Pacific NW. These are all much better. Get a tree, shrub, and wildflower guide to your specific region for ID.

Customer Review: A good book for your library
The Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants is a good book to have on your shelf if you are interested in if you want to know what wild plants are edible. The book does discuss many different types of plants that grow out in the wild. The Field Guide does a good job of discussing where to find the plants, how and when to harvest, and a general guide of preparing the food. Where I find this book lacking is that there are no actual pictures of the plants in question. Before I chose to eat something out in the wild I want to be doubley sure I am picking the right plant. So I do feel it is a good guide and filled with information, I wished some time could have been spent on photography for my personal piece of mind.

This book was bought for my son when he was around 7, he is now 17 and refuses to give this book away. It's message was and still is wonderful. Great book and highly reccomended.
Customer Review: PERFECT STORY TIME BOOK
MY DAUGHTER LOVES THIS BOOK. IT'S GREAT FOR STORY TIME!!! I LOVED READING THE BOOK TO HER AND ALLOWING HER TO ANTICIPATE THE NEXT ADVENTURE WAS EXCITING FOR BOTH OF US.

Customer Review: Great if you want to start an orchid garden, not for those who just have a flower or two.
This book gives decent advice on growing orchids, but unless you want to get into the genealogy of orchids, it may be a bit overwhelming. However, I can imagine that someone who wants to start and orchid farm or have a section of their house devoted to orchids will find this book very helpful. Not really for casual orchid growers.
Customer Review: This was my very first orchid book
After reading Susan Orlean's "The Orchid Thief" I became absolutely intrigued by orchids and their culture. Of course I wanted to run right out and buy one but I no clue as to what I would do with the darn thing once I got it home! Then, while browsing the shelves of the NY Botanical Garden's giftshop, I came across this book. I was immediately attracted to the simple cover, and the way the info was presented within: clear, easy, non-intimidating language and photos. I bought the book and a week later bought my first orchid… and my 2nd the following week… and my 3rd & 4th two weeks after that! This book put me completely at ease with orchids - obviously! And, though all 4 were cheap Home Depot purchases that I later discovered to have pretty bad root rot, I'm proud to say that 4 years later 1 of those "starter" plants is still with me and thriving.

In many communities there are companies that offer tree and flower care programs. These programs are the fitness care plans of the plant world. They are designed to assist you monitor and care for your plants, as well as handle problems that come up. It is even possible for you to design your own tree and flower care program that can aid you as you take care of the plants yourself, with minimum help from the care professional. But one thing is certain: in order to maintain your landscape looking thriving and appealing, you do need to take an active interest in some sort of care regimen for your trees and shrubs.

There are numerous benefits connected with having a care program for trees and shrubs. Benefits include catching infestations early and identifying diseases while they are treatable and before they do too much harm. An insect infestation can cause defoliation, and if you move rapidly to evade this, your trees will look much better for longer. In addition, if plants have good care, they are more resistant to disease and will flourish, giving your landscape a more attractive look. A proper program of care can avoid these problems and save you cash on down the road. The old truism "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is certainly correct, specifically as it relates to plants.

Other problems that a tree and flower care program can help with are less injurious to the health of the plants and more pragmatic in nature. Proper monitoring can ensure that fragile branches are removed before they fall on and damage your house. Additionally, proper care and pruning of branches ensures plentiful flowering and a thicker, fuller look in evergreens. While superior flowering and fuller plants may not directly affect the health of the plant or your wallet, they do add substantially to the attractiveness of a landscape and can contribute to the better enjoyment of your home.

Most tree and flower care programs are developed and administered by specific companies that provide care. They can also be arranged by way of an arborist or a master gardener. These programs do cost money, however. There are comprehensive programs that cover all costs connected to monitoring your landscape plants and treating any problems or providing particular care. There are also programs that provide monitoring services and then charge treatments independently. The idea is to use a program that fits into your budget, and then harvest the benefits of a landscape that is well cared for.

Another approach to the tree and shrub care program is developing and following one yourself. It may cost a little money up front, as you will have to discuss with a master gardener or an arborist, but in the long run it is worth it if you take good care of your trees. In differing localities, an extension office may have a horticulturist on hand to answer your questions at no charge. The key is to figure out a care program that you can carry out yourself, or that you can carry out mainly on your own, with back up help from professionals when essential.

Developing your own plan can be very satisfying. It helps you get closer to your landscape, and it can also help you spot problems quickly. You should have a routine programme for scrutiny of trees and shrubs, as well as other plants, and a regular timetable of care and upkeep. To learn how to properly clip trees and shrubs, keep an eye out for community classes. You can even pay for a session with a professional. Paying for a two or three hour lesson in pruning can save you hundreds of dollars in having to pay a yard service to do the work. Make sure you know the best times to prune, and do your pruning on a schedule as well as the rest of the landscape maintenance.

No matter whether you pay for a professional tree and shrub care program, or whether you carry out such a regimen yourself, it is important to have a programme for the proper care of the plants on your landscape. This way you will find that you have a more attractive landscape and save money in trying to fix large problems that arise through neglect.

About the Author

Paul provides more advice at http://landscaping-ideas.blogspot.com and http://lawn-care.blogspot.com

But, as we become more concerned about the side effects of drug therapies, many people are re-examining the benefits of herbal remedies as preventative measures or adjunct treatments to go along with traditional medicine.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on several of the more popular herbal remedies and what research has shown about their ability to actually protect health and prevent disease. Here are their findings on some of the more common herbal remedies.

Garlic

Allium is the family of plants from which we get garlic and onions. Garlic has been used for many years to season food and for medical remedies. Within garlic, there is a compound called allicin, which inhibits many forms of bacteria, including, mold, yeast and viruses.

In addition, research has suggested that garlic protects against cardiovascular disease by helping to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides without lowering good cholesterol. Researchers recommend that for health protection we should have one half to one clove of garlic per day. The research also concluded that garlic extract tablets were just as effective at lowering cholesterol as pure garlic.

Garlic has also been shown to stimulate the immune system and interfere with carcinogens, helping to prevent cancer. In fact, mortality from stomach cancer in China is lowest in the northern part of the country, where much garlic is grown, and where the intake of garlic is very high. People in this region of China have an up to 40% lower risk of stomach cancer than other Chinese.

Onions seem to have similar effects. In central Georgia, where Vidalia onions are grown extensively and, of course, eaten extensively, the incidence of stomach cancer is about half that of the rest of the US

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are plant pigments that are found in a wide variety of plants. Flavonoids are potent anti-oxidants, which have been found to prevent early aging, a wide range of diseases and have the potential to lower cholesterol. In one study in the Netherlands, research showed that elderly men with high intakes of flavonoids had a 60% lower mortality rate from heart disease and a 70% lower risk of stroke than men of the same age whose flavonoids consumption was low. The best sources of flavonoids are in fruits, vegetables and green tea.

Green tea seems to be a particularly healthy source of flavonoids and other anti-oxidants. Several studies have suggested that drinking tea can lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure, both of which reduce the risk of heart disease.

Green tea is particularly effective because it contains EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), one of the most potent anti-oxidants out there. Green tea also inhibits carcinogens in the same way as garlic, so is believed to prevent cancer in multiple ways.

Echinacea

Echinacea has been used for years for a variety of medicinal purposes. It has been used as an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. It has the power to improve your immune system?s ability to fight germs, and can be effective in reducing symptoms of the cold and flu, including sore throat. Many people use Echinacea as a regular supplement to improve immune system function. Others rely on Echinacea to help reduce the length of a cold and improve symptoms. Echinacea doesn?t appear to have side effects, but does appear to lose some of its effectiveness if overused. Follow directions closely, and be sure that you doctor approves your use of it if you are currently taking prescription medications.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is an excellent source of lignans. These plant lignans ferment in the colon where they have an effect similar to that of estrogen. These estrogens can bind with a woman?s estrogen receptors and inhibit the growth of estrogen stimulated breast cancer. Therefore, flaxseed is thought to be a breast cancer preventative, at least for some forms of breast cancer.

Turmeric

Turmeric also contains phenols, which are anti-oxidants and which have been found to have anti-mutagenic properties. Turmeric suppresses the development of several types of cancer, including stomach, breast and lung cancer. It has also been shown to be effective at suppressing skin tumors. Turmeric acts as an anti-inflammatory because of the anti-oxidant curcumin that it contains. This is a potent anti-oxidant in its own right, and is also found in ginger.

Herbs have been used since the beginning of time to help heal the body ? don?t forget that they were the first medicines. And, while medicine has come a long way in recent history, herbs still have their place in preventing and sometimes treating diseases.

It?s important to communicate with your doctor about any alternative therapies, including herbs that you?re using. But, the right mix of herbs and traditional medicine can make a powerful combination for health.

Unless you are lucky enough to be a florist, you?ll need to hire one. The florist should be experienced with wedding arrangements, and you?ll be hard pressed to find one that isn?t. Make sure your florist is able to deliver, install, and remove the arrangements at the end of your event. Even though many reception halls can recommend a florist to you, you should do your homework. Ask for references, and be sure to follow up. It may be tempting to hire a florist without check references, but it could also be irresponsible.

Your wedding flowers should complement the season, your wedding dress, and your color scheme. Your wedding flowers should also complement your attendants' attire, and the style of your wedding. Before you talk to your florist, prepare a list of wedding flowers you'll need. It will help focus your discussions, and help you stay within your wedding budget.

When you plan the flower arrangements with your florist, she should be able to recommend arrangements based on the size and location of your wedding. Ask to see photos of previous wedding arrangements - Don?t accept generic photos of flower arrangements, insist on seeing the work of the florist.-, which will give you a feel for their creative qualities and what you can expect to see on your wedding day. It is even better if you arrive prepared with some pictures and magazine cut outs with your ideas. You don?t have to take the florist?s advice on everything, be part of the decision making process. If you feel strongly about a certain flower or color, it should worth fighting for it. It is your wedding, and you are the customer. You have to feel good about your flower arrangements. Your day is about you.

About the Author: Wedding Favors Wedding reception favors personalized, wedding candles, favor bags.

Native trees tolerant of wet soils are special group of trees. These trees are able to be in soils that retain water for sometimes weeks on end. I have compiled this list to help you find suitable trees for the north east. This is not a complete list but one of common EZ to plant nursery stock, but these plants should do well in most of Buckingham Pa. Area. Red and silver maple (Acer rubrum, A. saccarinum)
River Birch Trees a tree for wet areas!!!! (Betula nigra)
Catalpa spp.
Ash (Fraxinus spp.)
Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)
Sycamores (Platanus spp.)
Native shrubs tolerant of wet soils:
Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Leatherwood (Dirca palustris)
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) Sparkleberry holly A great berry producer!!!
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
Pussy willow (Salix discolor)
Willow Trees Trees for wet areas!!!!
Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)
Spicebush my long time favorite!!
Black Chokeberry produces great berry crops for the birds!!
You can see more plant info at my web site http://www.seedlingsrus.com

About the Author

Bill has been growing trees and plants in Pennsylvania for over 25 years. His web sites include http://www.seedlingsrus.com http://www.huntingrelics.com and http://www.zone5trees.com