Bush Tucker Plant Food - Edible Weeds

NEW: Australian Bush Food Plant Quiz (Bush Tucker and Edible Weeds).

This section shows some edible weeds. Most of these "weeds" are introduced species, rather than natives of Australia. They grow in and around developed areas, rather than on undisturbed, native bushland as do the traditional “bush tucker” plant foods that were used by Australian Aboriginies. For an introduction to the subject of edible weeds, see my other page on edible weeds.

HOT:The Weed Forager’s Handbook, published in 2012, is an excellent guide to edible weeds.

WARNING: Never eat plants that are growing in an area where they may have been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides (weed killers), or where the water supply to the area could be polluted, such as from urban or industrial run-off. Never eat any part of any wild growing plant unless you are certain you can identify it. Being certain means you have developed a maturity of skill in identifying plants. It does not mean you are pretty sure it looks just like "that plant you saw once on some website".

This page shows some edible weeds that can be found in the Sydney and Blue Mountains regions. Most of them can be found in other parts of Australia, and other parts of the world also. Click on the pictures to show more information about each of the different edible weed food species.


Acetosa sagittata Turkey Rhubarb
Bidens pilosa Cobbler's Pegs, Farmer's Friends
Briza maxima Blowfly Grass
Chenopodium album Fat Hen
Cirsium Thistle
Commelina cyanea Scurvy Weed, Native Wandering Jew This is not the introduced "Wandering Jew" or "Trad" with white flowers. Native
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn
Foeniculum vulgare Fennel
Galium aparine Cleavers
Hypochaeris radicata Catsears
Ipomoea cairica Coastal Morning Glory Some Ipomoea species are poisonous
Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce
Oxalis Wood Sorrel
Papaver Papaver - Poppies The edibility of Papaver dubium is in question and there are claims it is poisonous
Petroselinum crispum Wild Parsley This plant has a poisonous lookalike
Plantago Plantains
Rubus Fruticosus Blackberries
Rumex Docks
Rumex acetosella Sheep Sorrel
Solanum Nightshades Some Solanum species are poisonous, and many edible species have poisonous lookalikes
Sonchus Sowthistle
Trifolium Clover
Tropaeolum majus Nasturtium
Taraxacum officinale Dandelion
Viola Violets

Recommended Reading for Edible Weeds

The Weed Forager’s Handbook, Adam Grubb and Annie Raser-Rowland. This is the best Australian book on edible weeds that's currently in print that I know of. Most of the book is about the author's top 20 edible weeds, with each weed getting a few pages that include detailed photos and drawings for identification. First published in 2012.

"Step into the world of our least admired botanical companions, peel back the layers of prejudice, and discover the finer side of the plants we call weeds. This book reveals how to distinguish a tasty sandwich-filler from its dangerous look-alike, which weeds are among the most nutritious vegetables ever tested, and how you cook with delicious nettles without fear of being stung ...It will forever change your concept of where to go looking for lunch."

Purchase from Australia (Booktopia)

Purchase from Australia (Angus & Robertson)

Purchase from Australia (The Nile)

Click here to purchase from Australia (Fishpond)

Purchase from Amazon

How can I be prepared with Self-Sufficiency and Survival Foods, Isabell Shipard. I have not had this book very long but I am very impressed with it. It covers a great many of the topics discussed on survival.ark.au and covers them quite well. There are 16 pages (large pages, with small writing) devoted to edible weeds, including colour photos of many of the weeds. Apart from edible weeds it also covers a few bush tucker (native) food plants, survival kits, storing food, permaculture, sprouting, herbs, and more. Her Course on DVD (PAL format, $35.00 AUD) looks like it would also be excellent, though I have not seen it yet.

Click here to purchase from Australia (Fishpond)

Click here to purchase from Isabell's Site (Australian) $37.00 AUD

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