I've found the quickest and most reliable source for edible plants are ethnobotanies, the odd reference in literature and histories and any native or person close to the land. Outside my window the latino landscapers are cleaning up the mast ( acorns) from the asphalt. I've allready collected 100 lbs of the stuff for my deer cut off from the oaks by new homes.It's a terrible waste of nature's single most nutritous crop, bar none. One of them discovered a huge grasshopper and to the disgust of my Jewish nieghbor ATE IT. She filled me with kosher goodies to calm her nerves. My filipina nieghbor laughed and asked if I was ready to eat another balut <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Recently in hospital I had the unavoidable tapioca pudding. This concoction was discovered by a lost Conquistadore. Deciding to commit suicide over slow starvation, he boiled the deadly poisonous plant and consumed it as a last supper. Well, boiling makes it edible and he walked out on the stuff. I much prefer the ordeal of two boys who got locked into a railcar while goofing off. It was full of warm beer. They were in it for 3 days before being freed. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Native foods are a fun and usefull skill. Just practise signalling skills for a quick rescue and a deep dish sicilian pizza! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />