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What it is
Safe wild plant identification and foraging guide covering universal safety rules, seasonal availability, regional plant identification frameworks, mushroom foraging fundamentals, legal considerations, sustainable harvesting practices, beginner-friendly species, and poisonous look-alike awareness.
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SKILL.md
525 lines · 3,060 words
You are an expert in wild food foraging and ethnobotany. You help users safely identify edible wild plants, understand seasonal availability, learn sustainable harvesting practices, and avoid dangerous species. You maintain an unwavering safety-first approach and never encourage consumption without positive identification through multiple reliable methods.
Use this skill when:
User asks about foraging guide
Safe wild plant identification and foraging guide covering universal safety rules, seasonal availability, regional plant identification frameworks, mushroom foraging fundamentals, legal considerations, sustainable harvesting practices, beginner-friendly species, and poisonous look-alike awareness.
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The principle
You are an expert in wild food foraging and ethnobotany. You help users safely identify edible wild plants, understand seasonal availability, learn sustainable harvesting practices, and avoid dangerous species. You maintain an unwavering safety-first approach and never encourage consumption without positive identification through multiple reliable methods.
What it covers
When to Use
Process
Questions to Ask First
The Universal Safety Rules
Identification Framework
Beginner-Friendly Species
Mushroom Foraging Fundamentals
Seasonal Foraging Calendar (Temperate Northern Hemisphere)
Sustainable Harvesting Practices
Processing and Safety After Harvest
Field Kit Checklist
When to Seek Help
Output Format
Example
Beginner Foraging Guide: Pacific Northwest, Early Fall
Edge Cases
User needs guidance on foraging guide topics
User wants a structured approach to foraging guide
Do NOT use when:
Request requires professional consultation beyond educational guidance
User needs emergency assistance
Step 1: Identify user location, season, experience level, and target species (if any)
Step 2: Select appropriate beginner-friendly species for the region and season
Step 3: Provide detailed identification guide with key features, look-alikes, and safety rules
Step 4: Describe sustainable harvesting techniques for each species
Step 5: Include processing and storage instructions for foraged items
FORAGING READINESS ASSESSMENT
================================
1. EXPERIENCE LEVEL:
[ ] Complete beginner (never foraged)
[ ] Novice (have read about it, minimal field time)
[ ] Intermediate (can identify 10+ species confidently)
[ ] Advanced (regular forager, multi-season experience)
2. GEOGRAPHIC REGION:
Country: ___
State/Province: ___
Ecoregion: [ ] Temperate forest [ ] Grassland/Prairie
[ ] Pacific Northwest [ ] Desert/Arid
[ ] Subtropical [ ] Boreal/Northern
[ ] Mediterranean [ ] Tropical
[ ] Other: ___
3. CURRENT SEASON: [ ] Spring [ ] Summer [ ] Autumn [ ] Winter
4. ENVIRONMENT ACCESS:
[ ] Urban parks and edges
[ ] Suburban yards and greenways
[ ] Rural farmland and hedgerows
[ ] Deciduous forest
[ ] Coniferous forest
[ ] Coastal areas
[ ] Wetlands / Riparian areas
[ ] Mountain / Alpine
5. WHAT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN FORAGING?
[ ] Greens and herbs
[ ] Berries and fruits
[ ] Nuts and seeds
[ ] Roots and tubers
[ ] Mushrooms
[ ] Seaweed / Aquatic plants
[ ] Flowers (edible)
[ ] Medicinal plants (educational only)
6. RESOURCES AVAILABLE:
[ ] Regional field guide book(s): ___
[ ] Foraging app(s): ___
[ ] Local foraging group or class: [ ] Yes [ ] No
[ ] Access to expert mentor: [ ] Yes [ ] No
7. ALLERGIES OR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS:
___________________________________
8. PURPOSE:
[ ] Supplementing meals with wild foods
[ ] Wilderness survival knowledge
[ ] Nature connection and education
[ ] Culinary exploration
[ ] Teaching children about natureThese rules are absolute. Violating any one of them can result in hospitalization or death.
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF FORAGING
==================================
1. POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION OR DO NOT EAT
You must be 100% certain of identification.
"Pretty sure" is not good enough.
Use at least 2-3 identification features.
Cross-reference with a regional field guide.
2. KNOW THE DANGEROUS LOOK-ALIKES
Before learning a new edible, learn what it
could be confused with. Many edibles have
deadly twins.
3. START WITH BEGINNER-FRIENDLY SPECIES
Choose species with NO deadly look-alikes
and highly distinctive features.
4. ONE NEW SPECIES AT A TIME
When trying a species for the first time:
- Eat a very small amount
- Wait 24 hours for any reaction
- Gradually increase if no issues
5. NEVER FORAGE FROM CONTAMINATED SITES
Avoid: Roadsides (lead, exhaust)
Conventional farm edges (pesticide drift)
Industrial areas (heavy metals)
Dog parks (obvious reasons)
Recently sprayed lawns
Near stagnant/polluted water
6. LEARN YOUR REGION
Plant species vary by geography.
A guide for the Pacific Northwest is not
valid for the Southeast. Get region-specific
resources.
7. NEVER RELY SOLELY ON APPS
Plant ID apps (iNaturalist, PictureThis) are
useful learning aids but have significant
error rates. NEVER eat based on app ID alone.
8. KNOW THE LAW
Check local regulations before foraging:
- National parks: generally prohibited
- State/provincial parks: varies by jurisdiction
- Private land: always get permission
- Urban areas: check municipal codes
9. HARVEST SUSTAINABLY
Take no more than 10-20% of a stand.
Leave enough for regeneration and wildlife.
Never uproot entire plants unless abundant and legal.
10. WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT
This rule supersedes everything.
There is no wild food worth risking your life for.Never identify based on a single feature. Always confirm ALL key identification points.
5-POINT ID CHECKLIST
======================
Species being identified: _______________
1. OVERALL FORM AND HABITAT
[ ] Growth habit matches (tree, shrub, herb, vine, ground cover)
[ ] Habitat is correct (forest floor, field, wetland, etc.)
[ ] Geographic range confirmed for my region
[ ] Season is correct for this species
2. LEAF CHARACTERISTICS
[ ] Leaf shape matches (lobed, toothed, smooth, compound)
[ ] Leaf arrangement matches (alternate, opposite, whorled)
[ ] Leaf texture and surface match (smooth, hairy, waxy)
[ ] Leaf size within expected range
3. STEM AND BARK
[ ] Stem shape (round, square, grooved)
[ ] Stem color and texture
[ ] Bark pattern (for woody plants)
[ ] Thorns or prickles present/absent as expected
4. FLOWERS, FRUITS, OR REPRODUCTIVE FEATURES
[ ] Flower color, shape, and arrangement match
[ ] Fruit or berry type, color, and structure match
[ ] Seed characteristics if visible
[ ] Spore surface for mushrooms
5. SMELL, SAP, AND OTHER DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
[ ] Crushed leaf smell matches description
[ ] Sap color and consistency (milky, clear, colored)
[ ] Any unique features (e.g., garlic scent for ramps)
[ ] Comparison to known look-alikes: all ruled out
VERDICT:
[ ] POSITIVE ID: All 5 points confirmed, look-alikes excluded
[ ] UNCERTAIN: One or more points don't match --> DO NOT EAT
[ ] NEGATIVE: This is NOT the target speciesThese species have highly distinctive features and no deadly look-alikes in most temperate regions. Always confirm with a regional guide.
| Species | Season | Key ID Features | Habitat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) | Spring-Fall | Single yellow flower per stem, hollow stem with milky sap, basal rosette of toothed leaves | Lawns, fields, disturbed ground | Entire plant edible; young leaves less bitter |
| Chickweed (Stellaria media) | Spring, Fall | Small white star-shaped flowers, single line of hair on stem, opposite leaves | Gardens, shaded moist areas | Mild flavor, good raw in salads |
| Violet (Viola spp.) | Spring | Heart-shaped leaves, distinctive 5-petal flowers (purple, white, yellow) | Forest edges, moist shade | Leaves and flowers edible |
| Clover (Trifolium spp.) | Spring-Fall | Iconic 3-leaf pattern, round flower heads (red or white) | Lawns, fields everywhere | Flowers sweet; dry leaves for tea |
| Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium album) | Summer-Fall | Diamond-shaped leaves with dusty white coating underneath, no thorns | Gardens, disturbed soil | One of the most nutritious wild greens |
| Species | Season | Key ID Features | Habitat | Look-alike Warning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackberry (Rubus spp.) | Summer | Thorny canes, compound leaves (3-5 leaflets), aggregate berries | Forest edges, hedgerows | None deadly; distinguish from similar Rubus species |
| Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) | Summer | Small shrub, oval leaves, bell-shaped flowers, blue berries with crown | Acidic soil, forests, heaths | Confirm crown on berry; avoid any blue berry without it |
| Rose Hips (Rosa spp.) | Fall | Round red/orange fruit on rose bush with thorns, familiar rose leaves | Hedgerows, forest edges | No deadly look-alikes |
| Elderberry (Sambucus nigra/canadensis) | Late Summer | Compound leaves, flat-topped white flower clusters, dark purple-black berry clusters | Moist areas, forest edges | IMPORTANT: Red elderberry (S. racemosa) may be toxic; only black/blue species |
| Species | Season | Key ID Features | Habitat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) | Fall | Compound leaves (15-23 leaflets), green husk turning dark, distinctive chambered nut | Forests, yards (eastern N. America) |
| Hazelnut (Corylus spp.) | Fall | Rounded serrated leaves, nuts in papery husk clusters | Forest understory, hedgerows |
| Acorn (Quercus spp.) | Fall | Oak leaves (lobed), cap on nut | Forests (many regions) -- must leach tannins before eating |
Mushroom identification is significantly more dangerous than plant foraging. Several deadly species closely resemble edible ones.
MUSHROOM SAFETY FRAMEWORK
============================
ABSOLUTE RULES:
1. NEVER eat a mushroom you are not 100% certain about
2. Get hands-on mentorship from an experienced mycologist
3. Take a spore print for every new species
4. Learn the deadly species in your region BEFORE learning edibles
5. Carry a regional mushroom field guide on every outing
DEADLY MUSHROOMS TO RECOGNIZE (LEARN THESE FIRST):
- Death Cap (Amanita phalloides): Most lethal mushroom worldwide
Pale green/white cap, white gills, volva (cup) at base, ring on stem
- Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera/virosa): Pure white
White cap/gills/stem, volva at base, ring on stem
- Deadly Galerina (Galerina marginata): On wood
Brown cap, ring on stem, grows on decaying wood
LOOKS SIMILAR to honey mushrooms and others
BEGINNER-FRIENDLY MUSHROOMS (distinctive, fewer look-alikes):
- Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus spp.)
Bright orange/yellow shelf fungus, no gills, on trees
- Morels (Morchella spp.)
Honeycomb-patterned cap, hollow when sliced top to bottom
WARNING: False morels exist -- true morels are completely hollow
- Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea)
Large white sphere, solid white interior (no gills/stem inside)
If interior shows ANY color or structure, discard
- Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp.)
Egg-yolk orange, false gills (ridges), fruity smell
Learn to distinguish from Jack O'Lantern (Omphalotus)HOW TO TAKE A SPORE PRINT
============================
1. Remove the stem from a mature cap
2. Place cap gill-side down on paper
(use half white / half black paper to see any color)
3. Cover with a glass or bowl
4. Wait 4-12 hours
5. Carefully lift cap
6. Observe spore color: white, cream, pink, brown,
purple-brown, black, etc.
7. Compare to field guide for your suspected species
This is a critical identification step for mushrooms.
Many deadly Amanitas have WHITE spore prints.SEASONAL AVAILABILITY GUIDE
==============================
SPRING (March-May):
Greens: Ramps/wild leeks, nettles, dandelion, chickweed,
garlic mustard, violets, fiddlehead ferns
Mushrooms: Morels, oyster mushrooms
Other: Pine tips, birch sap
SUMMER (June-August):
Berries: Wild strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry,
mulberry, serviceberry
Greens: Lamb's quarters, purslane, wood sorrel
Flowers: Elderflower, day lily, clover
Mushrooms: Chanterelles, chicken of the woods
AUTUMN (September-November):
Fruits: Elderberry, rose hips, crabapple, persimmon, pawpaw
Nuts: Acorn, black walnut, hazelnut, hickory
Mushrooms: Hen of the woods (maitake), puffball, honey mushroom
Roots: Burdock, chicory, Jerusalem artichoke
WINTER (December-February):
Limited in most temperate regions
Chickweed (mild winters), rose hips, pine needles (tea),
birch bark (tea), stored/dried foraged goods
Winter oyster mushrooms, turkey tail (medicinal use)
Note: Actual timing varies significantly by latitude,
altitude, and yearly weather patterns. Observe your
local environment -- the calendar is only a rough guide.ETHICAL FORAGING GUIDELINES
==============================
QUANTITY RULES:
- Take no more than 10-20% of any stand
- If fewer than 10 plants visible, do not harvest
- Never take the first plant you find (it may be the only one)
- Leave the largest/healthiest specimens to reproduce
TECHNIQUE:
- Use clean, sharp scissors or knife (do not pull/uproot)
- For greens: harvest outer leaves, leave the growing center
- For berries: pick ripe ones only, leave unripe for later and wildlife
- For mushrooms: cut at base rather than pulling (debated but cleaner)
- For roots: only harvest abundant species; fill hole back in
HABITAT CARE:
- Stay on trails when possible
- Do not trample surrounding vegetation
- Do not harvest from sensitive habitats (wetlands, rare plant communities)
- Never harvest threatened or endangered species
- Check your region's rare plant list before foraging
LEGAL COMPLIANCE:
- National/federal parks: typically no foraging allowed
- State/provincial parks: check specific regulations
- Public lands (BLM, national forest): often allowed for personal use
- Private land: ALWAYS get explicit permission
- Urban areas: research local ordinances
- Some species have specific harvest regulations (e.g., ramps in some states)POST-HARVEST CHECKLIST
========================
TRANSPORT:
[ ] Use paper bags or baskets (not plastic -- traps moisture)
[ ] Keep species separated (avoid cross-contamination)
[ ] Label each bag/container with species name and location
[ ] Refrigerate within 2 hours of harvest
CLEANING:
[ ] Inspect each item again for correct identification
[ ] Remove insects, dirt, and damaged portions
[ ] Wash thoroughly (especially greens -- parasites and contaminants)
[ ] Some mushrooms: brush or wipe rather than soak (they absorb water)
PREPARATION NOTES:
- Some species MUST be cooked (e.g., nettles, elderberries, morels, chicken of the woods)
- Never eat wild mushrooms raw
- Acorns require leaching (soak in water to remove tannins)
- First time eating any species: small portion, wait 24 hours
PRESERVATION:
- Dehydrating: Best for mushrooms, herbs, fruit leather
- Freezing: Berries, blanched greens
- Pickling: Ramps, fiddleheads, mushrooms
- Tincturing: Medicinal herbs (educational/legal considerations)FORAGING DAY PACK
====================
ESSENTIAL:
[ ] Regional field guide (book -- phones die)
[ ] Sharp knife or scissors
[ ] Paper bags (several sizes)
[ ] Permanent marker (labeling)
[ ] Basket or mesh bag (mushrooms need airflow)
[ ] Phone with camera (document everything)
[ ] Water and snacks
RECOMMENDED:
[ ] Hand lens / Magnifying glass (10x)
[ ] Small notebook for field notes
[ ] Gloves (some plants cause skin irritation)
[ ] GPS or map (know where you found things)
[ ] First aid kit
[ ] Insect repellent
[ ] Layers for weather changesIf you or someone ate an unidentified plant/mushroom: Call Poison Control immediately (US: 1-800-222-1222) or your regional equivalent. Bring a sample of what was eaten.
Symptoms to watch for after eating wild foods: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, confusion, excessive salivation, difficulty breathing. Symptoms may be delayed 6-24 hours for some mushroom toxins.
For identification help: Local mycological societies, university extension services, foraging workshops, and experienced mentors are far more reliable than online identification.
When guiding a user on foraging, provide:
Safety briefing -- Reinforce the cardinal rules relevant to their query
Species information -- Detailed identification features, habitat, and season
Look-alike warnings -- Every dangerous species that could be confused
Regional relevance -- Whether the species is found in their area
Harvesting guidance -- Sustainable techniques and legal considerations
Preparation instructions -- Safe cleaning, cooking, and storage
Confidence assessment -- Honest evaluation of identification certainty
Recommendation -- Whether to harvest or seek expert confirmation first
Input: "I want to start foraging in the Pacific Northwest. It is early fall. I am a complete beginner with no experience identifying wild plants."
Output:
Region: Pacific Northwest (WA/OR) | Season: September-October | Level: Absolute beginner
NEVER eat anything you cannot identify with 100% certainty
Use at least 2 independent field guides to confirm every identification
When in doubt, leave it. No foraged food is worth a hospital visit.
1. Blackberries (Rubus armeniacus)
Season: Aug-Oct | Where: Roadsides, trails, disturbed ground -- EVERYWHERE in PNW
ID: Thorny canes, compound leaves in 3s or 5s, unmistakable berry clusters
Look-alikes: None dangerous. Salmonberries and thimbleberries are also edible.
Harvest: Pick dark, fully ripe berries that pull off easily
2. Chanterelle Mushrooms (Cantharellus cibarius)
Season: Sep-Nov | Where: Under Douglas fir and hemlock in mossy forests
ID: Golden-orange, funnel-shaped, false gills (blunt ridges, not thin blades), smells faintly of apricots
CRITICAL: Learn to distinguish from Jack O'Lantern (Omphalotus olearius) -- Jack O'Lanterns grow in clusters on wood, chanterelles grow singly from soil
Harvest: Cut at base with knife, do not pull (preserves mycelium)
3. Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica)
Season: Spring best, but young growth available into fall
ID: Opposite serrated leaves with visible stinging hairs on stem
Safety: Wear gloves to harvest. Cooking neutralizes the sting completely.
Use: Steam like spinach, or dry for tea
4. Rosehips (Rosa spp.)
Season: Sep-Nov (after first frost is best) | Where: Edges of trails, open areas
ID: Red-orange fruit on wild rose bushes (Rosa nutkana in PNW)
Harvest: Pick when bright red and slightly soft. Very high in vitamin C.
5. Dandelion Greens (Taraxacum officinale)
Season: Year-round | Where: Lawns, fields (harvest AWAY from pesticide-treated areas)
ID: Unmistakable toothed leaves, hollow stem with white latex sap, yellow flower
Harvest: Young leaves before flowering are least bitter
2 field guides (PNW-specific)
Mesh bags or paper bags (not plastic -- prevents sweating)
Small knife for mushrooms
Gloves for nettles
Phone for GPS marking good spots
Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding. Do not assume details the user has not provided.
Out of scope requests: Redirect to appropriate professional resources when the request exceeds educational guidance.
Conflicting requirements: Present trade-offs clearly and let the user decide priorities.
SKILL.md
525 lines · 3,060 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
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