Can you eat these

TheChilliMan · « **on:** May 02, 2008, 21:35 »

Oplopanax horridus is a plant Im after, I really want it. But are the fruits that grow on it edable? Do you know where I can get it from?

Trillium · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2008, 21:56 »

Don't know a UK source, but Devil's claw, despite its beauty, has very nasty thorns which you can easily impale yourself on. Since it's a member of the ginseng family, you could try places that carry ginseng.
The fruit is inedible by humans, but a favourite of bears. I take it you don't have bears in the neighbourhood which you'd like to feed?

TheChilliMan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2008, 22:08 »

No unfortuantely no bears round here. I thought it was Devils club? I wanted to grow it on my plot to keep people off it

Would I be ok if I ate just 1 tiny 1?

gobs · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2008, 22:53 »

Sounds a joke question, but I read once it used to be a staple of Indian tribes, both as food and more so as medicine. Not the fruit though, I think it's the young shoots, you eat.

Besides, I can't think of anything right now a bear eats that we couldn't.

But it likes to grow in shady woodland and can't see how it would keep folks away, rather an attraction, methinks.

TheChilliMan · « **Reply #4 on:** May 02, 2008, 22:57 »

Well, what type of person would grow such a beast? I think I would stear clear from them.

I wonder how it tastes, I wat to know. I'll have to look a bit harder

gobs · « **Reply #5 on:** May 02, 2008, 23:02 »

Are you on the drinks, Chilliman? Anyhow, I wonder how you would come by one. Are you planning on seed sowing or some other means of propagation?

TheChilliMan · « **Reply #6 on:** May 02, 2008, 23:06 »

Well, I do drink ALOT of redbull, or I get headahces. But, I've read the plant is a slow grower. zzzzzz. I'll probably just get a proper plant to save years of waiting. Getting seeds is the easiest way to get ahlod of the plant. But to save time I'll look for a plant.

gobs · « **Reply #7 on:** May 02, 2008, 23:09 »

Well, I'm sure you will tell us what it tastes like. Make sure to harvest early.

TheChilliMan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 02, 2008, 23:10 »

Ok, I'll tell you how the stomach pump goes aswell

Trillium · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2008, 23:51 »

Sorry, I meant to write Devil's club and somehow claw slipped in.

Bear's livers are a lot different than ours which is probably why you should try eating any.

TheChilliMan · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2008, 10:17 »

Quote from: "Trillium"

Sorry, I meant to write Devil's club and somehow claw slipped in.

Bear's livers are a lot different than ours which is probably why you should try eating any.

Huh, you think I should?

Jeanieblue · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2008, 12:02 »

Why would you want to grow an 8 ft high, prickly weed?? A bit extreme to keep vemin off the lottie!

Trillium · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2008, 16:39 »

Drat, another finger slippage. Meant to write ...why you shouldn't eat them. :roll: Think I was a bit tired the last 2 days.

TheChilliMan · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2008, 18:11 »

Quote from: "Jeanieblue"

Why would you want to grow an 8 ft high, prickly weed?? A bit extreme to keep vemin off the lottie!

I dont know, I guess I have a soft spot for spikey plants, Cacti, Devils club, there is also a vine which is super spikey and I dont know the name, I saw it on T.V, I think they said it was the plack palm or something like that. Its not like it grows as fast as a weed, it grows slowly actualy, I'd rather keep them off, than tackting messures after they have been on.

Quote

Drat, another finger slippage. Meant to write ...why you shouldn't eat them. Think I was a bit tired the last 2 days.

I guess that makes 2 of us then

Fat Hen · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2008, 12:37 »

Why not use Blackthorn? Is beautiful full of flowers in early spring, produces sloes which you can put in gin and has vicious 2" spines.