Exploring the World of Wild Edible Plants: A Journey Through West LA VA Campus

Do not consume wild, non-cultivated food without conducting further research and seeking the guidance of a professional. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), its officers, employees, contractors, and agents are not recommending or endorsing the consumption of wild plants from VA’s West LA Campus, and VA is not liable for any direct or indirect damage, injury, or death arising from the decision to ingest species of plants or fungi in general or those found on VA’s West LA Campus. The reader assumes all risk associated with the decision to ingest species of plants or fungi discussed in this article and/or found on the West LA Campus. This article does not substitute for professional medical advice. Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting your doctor.

Tired of the same boring meals? Needing nutrients? Want some nature? The West LA VA campus has a display of the types of wild edible plants that can be used to spice up your dinners and lunch time picnics.

During one of my afternoon walks around the campus, I spotted an abundance of mallow plants. The mallow, with its succulent green leaves, tall spikes, and deep purple flowers, was easy to identify and reminded me of my time on the east coast when one of my hobbies was foraging for wild edibles.

Something inside of me started to bloom and I began to notice other wild edible plants while strolling the vast 388-acre West LA VA campus. It turns out this land contains a treasure trove of plants that can provide interesting textures and a rich tapestry of flavors to meals or have been used for centuries to provide relief from various ailments. I found as many as 24 different species of plants on campus and I’m sure there will be more as the seasons change.

"Foraging is ever-changing. Every season and each location holds different opportunities to experience foods that you can’t buy in any store,” said Jess Starwood, expert forager and author of “Mushroom Wanderland: A Forager’s Guide to Finding, Identifying, and Using More Than 25 Wild Fungi.”

Better yet, familiar plants like lavender, spearmint, and rosemary also do much more than add flavor. They provide a plethora of nutritive benefits. 

Veteran Jennifer Dotson realized the power of wild edible plants and their potential to improve one's health after she was discharged from the Navy in 2009. Dotson was suffering from fibromyalgia, so she supplemented her healthcare regime with foraged plants.

"Being on downers and having three kids just does not work,” Dotson said. “I didn’t have the energy to take care of them.”

Dotson took the initiative with her health and began using wild edible plants, including purslane, which contains all the omega-3s, is high in vitamins C and A, and is said to have an amplified anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Like purslane, many wild edible plants are considered superfoods, or foods that offer maximum nutritional benefits for minimal calories and are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

“The superfoods rebuilt my body from the ground up. Now I don’t suffer from inflammation, and it was inflammation that was creating all my other ailments,” Dotson said.

Foraging is gaining in popularity. With extensive information about wild edible plants on the internet, and smartphone applications that quickly identify plants by simply snapping a picture of them, it is easier than ever to find plant knowledge.

“Social media has brought information about foraging back that has been lost over the last 100 years,” said Starwood.

Social media has also made connecting to other foragers more accessible.

Dotson’s healing journey motivated her to create an online community of foragers on Facebook that has grown quickly to 123,000 members called Edible info: Wild Edible Plants and Foraging, and a YouTube channel with a plethora of information about plants, recipes, and healing remedies. Dotson hopes that more people can discover the natural healing properties of wild edible plants and incorporate them into their diet to improve their overall health.

“With foraging and plants you grow yourself, you know they will be free of pesticides and herbicides,” Dotson said.

Foraging allows people to eat seasonally and enjoy food that is fresh, natural, free, and bursting with nutrients.

Wild edibles tend to contain more beneficial nutrients like vitamins and minerals on a per-weight basis than cultivated foods,” according to a study in the American Indian Quarterly. Modern cultivated foods have been genetically modified over time, and they have also been growing on soil that has become depleted of micronutrients over time.

People are thirsty for deepening their connection to nature.

“They think the concept of eating flowers is pretty and cool. Plus, flowers speak to our inner human nature - especially since we are so inundated with technology,” said Starwood.

Foraging is an enjoyable way to spend time outside, get exercise, catch some rays, connect with nature, dig in the dirt, and relieve stress. It reminds people to branch out and get creative with their diet.

The Covid pandemic sparked a fear-based curiosity in people around the concept of food.

“Foraging has absolutely grown since Covid.  Everyone started thinking about food differently because they had never seen an empty shelf at the grocery store,” said Starwood.

Even West LA VA is incorporating wild plants into therapies.

“At West LA VA we are developing an aromatherapy training program,” said Jennifer Allen, the Whole Health Program Manager at West LA VA. Aromatherapy is used to treat a variety of conditions and is known to relieve pain, improve mood, and promote a sense of relaxation. The essential oils in this new program include lavender, peppermint, sweet orange, frankincense, and bergamot. Some of these are even located on the campus.

I noticed a myriad of plants throughout the entire campus. Some of the more concentrated areas were near the Brentwood Theater, the Heroes Golf Course, Bonsall Avenue, the Veteran’s Garden, and the grounds between MacArthur and Bringham avenues.

So exactly what edible plants are on campus and how can they be used?

Common mallow (Malva parviflora)

The mallow plant is one of my favorites. It is an annual, winter annual or biennial plant that grows about three to four feet tall. Everything on the mallow plant is edible: the soft green kidney-shaped leaves, purple flowers, and the young willowy shoots. 

I first tried mallow raw in a salad and loved how fresh and alive it tasted. For my next dish, I boiled it to make it soft and loved it even more! The plant has a mildly subtle sweet flavor that is reminiscent of spinach but without the aftertaste. Since then, I have experimented with using mallow in other recipes, such as meatloaf and stir fries. I was pleasantly surprised by how well its very leafy, silky, and tender texture elevated each dish. I have found it to be incredibly versatile and a fantastic addition to everything I am eating. The stems are tougher to chew, but mallow is so full of nutrients that it’s worth using in a nutritive tea.

Mallow is nutrient-rich and provides a substantial source of vitamins A, B, C, and E, inulin, mucilage, phenols, flavonoids, essential fatty acids, fiber, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and potassium.

I found mallow near Nimitz Avenue, but it is widely spread throughout the entire campus. 

Musk stork's bill (Erodium moschatum)

Musk stork’s bill is one of the easiest to identify for it has quite an unusual look. What is most recognizable are the distinct long, pointy shoots on the plant. Each leaf is deeply lobed or toothed, giving it a feathered appearance. Because of its beautiful and exotic appearance, it is often used as a garnish. 

I first tried musk stork’s bill raw and without any seasoning or dressing to truly experience what it tasted like. The plant has a slightly musky flavor, but also quite earthy. The texture felt odd to me because of its stringy shoots. To change the texture, I boiled it and found that to be easier to eat. It works well in salads, soups, stews, omelets, and quiches.

Musk stork's bill is nutrient-rich and provides a substantial source of vitamins C, A, K, folate, and iron.

I found musk stork’s bill in the greenery near Pershing Avenue. 

Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola)

Prickly lettuce is a wild relative of garden lettuce, also known as wild lettuce. Mature prickly lettuce is bright green and has a single line of prickly bristles that are reddish in color. Less mature specimens often have light green bristles. These bristles are pointy, but they do not typically cause harm, but it is important to prepare the leaves properly before cooking. Be sure to remove any rough bristles before consuming. 

Upon the first try, I went rogue and tried a leaf without removing the prickles. It felt fresh to my mouth, crisp and bitter, like dandelion leaves. Since this leaf had less and softer prickles, I did not harm my mouth. 

On my second try, I overcooked it and it became too mushy with no flavor. I tried again and my third attempt at lightly sautéing it in olive oil was a success. It had the robust effect of being tender but only somewhat bitter. 

Prickly lettuce is nutrient-rich and provides a substantial source of vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium.

I found prickly lettuce near Bonsall Avenue, but it is also located throughout the entire campus.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

Stinging nettle is a plant that I have heard about for years, and this year I finally started experimenting with it after a woman pointed it out to me while foraging. Nettle has a very distinct look which makes it easy to identify. The leaves are dark green with pointed tips and jagged tiny hairs. It usually has a cluster of leaves at the base with long stems that shoot up with more leaves. I researched nettles and saw that it is great for animals because it is so nutrient dense. My friend’s dog Houdini is getting older, so I thought I would give it a shot. 

I gathered the stinging nettle using gloves because nettles have sharp hairs on their leaves. If you touch them without cooking them, drying them, or processing them, these hairs inject irritants into the skin. Even the littlest prick hurts! If you touch one of these with your bare hands, your skin will get red, itchy, and possibly swollen. Some people may also be allergic to nettles, so start small with use.

First, I simmered the nettle for a tea. To me, the tea and the soft leaves tasted earthy and green. Next, I gave about a quarter teaspoon to Houdini. He loved it, but I am not surprised, because this dog loves vegetables. In my opinion, there’s nothing cuter than a dog who loves wild edible plants. 

Nettle is nutrient-dense and provides a substantial source of vitamins C, E, K and the B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium, manganese, and sulfur. It contains phytonutrients like chlorophyll polyphenols, lignans, and sitosterol as well as pigments like carotenoids, lutein, and beta-carotene. It contains all of the essential amino acids, silica, protein, a high number of antioxidants, polyphenols and other flavonoids.

I found nettle surrounding the Veteran’s Garden. 

Here are some other wild edible plants on campus at West LA VA:  

• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) 
• Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) 
• Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
• Mouseear Chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum)
• Spiny sowthistle (Sonchus asper)
• Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae)
• Paddle cactus (Nopales)
• French lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
• Aniseroot (Osmorhiza longistylis)
• Prickly pear nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica)  
• Burr medic (Medicago polymorpha) 
• African Daisy (Osteopermum)  
• Slender vervain (verbena rigida)  
• Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus indicus)  
• Prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare)  

There are limitless options when entering the foraging world of wild edible plants.

“At home, I create my own burn salve using flowers and herbs from my garden along with other essential oils,” said Allen with VA.

Before starting your foraging journey, it is important to research safe and proper methods for preparing and consuming these wild edible plants, as well as potential risks and side effects. It is always recommended to consult with a knowledgeable expert or reference material before consuming any new plant species, especially if you are using them for medicinal purposes.

There are many apps that help identify plants. In doing that, I encourage you to take clear photos of many parts of the plant so that you are 100% certain that you know what you are consuming.

It is also necessary that you take all precautions when it comes to eating wild edible plants, such as not eating plants that could have been sprayed with weed killing chemicals. From my experience, it is safer to pick in areas where there is an abundance of weeds. That is a sign that those areas have never been sprayed. A well-groomed area without weeds is a sign that the landscaping has been sprayed with some type of chemical.

At the West LA VA campus the groundskeepers spray the sidewalks, curbs, and solar panels near the helicopter landing.

If you are interested in learning ways to include foraging in your daily life, I have provided a list of foraging groups and classes in Los Angeles. Here is a brief list:

• The Wild Path is an immersive wild food & herbal medicine school that holds wild food, foraging & nature-based classes, workshops, and events.
• Urban Outdoor Skills is an organization that offers a variety of workshops on wilderness skills, including foraging for wild edibles.
• Falling Fruit Los Angeles is a community-led project that maps publicly accessible fruit trees and other edible plants in the Los Angeles area. 

So why not take a walk, explore your surroundings, and embark on your own journey of discovering the world of wild edible plants? It is an adventure that can transform the way you think about food and bring you closer to the natural wonders that surround us. Happy foraging!

Disclaimer: The inclusion in this article of external links is done to provide the reader with further information on the general topic of the article and does not imply endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs makes no warranties or representations whatsoever regarding the quality, content, completeness, adequacy or accuracy of such information or data.