Photo credit: USFWS | Eileen Hornbaker
Wild edibles offer a variety of health benefits to you and add unique flavors and textures to your meals. Join Nick Spero for a walk to learn about wild edibles available in the early fall. He’ll show you the plants you can pick and nibble along the way, as well as those that you need to bring home to prepare for a meal. You will also learn how to forage in a safe and sustainable manner.
Pawpaws, also known as the American Custard Apple, or Indiana Banana, should be peaking around this date! This delicious fruit was widely eaten and enjoyed by Native Americans back in the day. Currently, pawpaw trees can be found growing wild in the U.S. as a shade-loving, understory tree and Nick will instruct you on their identification.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (low intensity hiking).
What to wear/bring: Wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle.
About Nick: Nick Spero loves to hunt and fish, and primitive technology has piqued his interest since he was a child. You can view a video produced by NPR about Nick here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1xwtvP9Vls
Nick, like most of the other people who lead NHSM field trips, is a volunteer, so your money will go directly to support the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible. Donate or become a member of the Natural History Society of Maryland by visiting https://marylandnature.org/support-maryland-nature/.
Nick's phone number, if you need assistance in finding the park, is 410.371.7223.