Five Rules for Beginning Wildcrafting — Elderflowers

This weekend we went wildcrafting, or wild foraging, for elderflowers.  I’ve been meaning to for a few weeks now, and barely squeaked in a harvest before the blooms were all gone.  Wildcrafting is a lot of fun–especially with kids–but there are a few pointers or rules for a good wildcrafting experience.

#1- Positively identify plant.  Have a good book or an experienced guide that can make sure you identify your plants correctly.

Shrubs 5-plus feet tall.  In sunny areas.  Leaves in pairs up the stem.  Uneven number of leaves (one extra on the end).  Greenish younger bark.  Large clusters of star-shaped (five petal)  flowers.  Never harvest from a plant unless you are completely sure of its identity. 

#2 Know which part to harvest.  Elder flowers and elderberries are fit to harvest, the leaves and stems can be toxic.

#3 Harvest responsibly.  Never strip an entire plant or area.  (These stems have already blossomed and will now grow in to elderberries which will ripen in the fall.)  Always leave some behind so the plants can continue on in their natural life cycles, so the birds and animals can still have access to the plants, and so other wildcrafters might have the opportunity to harvest as well.

Along with this harvesting responsibly is to make sure the location is fit to harvest from.  Many people won’t harvest by roadsides for example, because of the possibility of pollution’s effect on the plants.

#4 Obey the law.  Follow all posted warnings or no trespassing signs.  “Jeremy, I said. . . oh never mind!”

#5 Follow all outdoor safety rules.  You know them:  Take water to stay hydrated.  Go in groups or tell someone exactly where you will be going and when to expect you back.  All that good stuff.

Wildcrafting is a lot of fun.  It’s a hobby that I’ve been able to get into without experience, but just learning a little more and more at a time.  Then I look back and realize that I know quite a bit now.  (It kind of sounds like how my guitar lessons are going.)  Our elderflowers are now in a pot on the way to becoming elderflower cordial.  We can’t wait!