To: "'North American Fruit Explorers'" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Native plants and geographical ranges
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:03:49 -0500
HI Spidra,
Here in the Midwest, I normally figure that anything native within a radius
of 150 miles is good enough.
Having lived in California, I understand that large a radius is not
appropriate. Your climate zones are much smaller.
I would stick to plants that are native to the same Sunset zone. Zone 21
isn't a neat radius, but I think it would give you something to work from.
Michele in SW Ohio
-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jim Fruth
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 11:27 AM
To: NAFEX
Subject: [NAFEX] Native (Central) Minnesota Fruits
Spidra asked, "How far of a geographical range are you including? My list
for the Pasadena area was small because I only included plants I figured
were native to about a 25 mi range of here."
Sorry, I didn't know there were rules. For native fruits that I know
for sure where they grow within 25 miles of my home, I trimmed eleven off my
list - my amended list, below; plus I forgot to add Sumac, a fruit that we
process into syrup. I could add a few to that, such as Juniper Berries that
are used in making gin and a few others that only a starving person might
eat (unappetizing taste). Then there are the two Tanis Cuff added: White
Oak grows here but I didn't know its acorns were edible (are they?) and
Hickory (local folks call them Pig Nut Hickory) again not something I'd
consider edible. I suppose I should strike Mountain Ash off the list too
because we made jelly out of it and the jelly tasted like the taste you get
when you chew on a wooden pencil.