20 Days of Play: Incredible Edible Botanical BINGO

Every now and then, I use a project for the kids as an excuse to get my own sketch time.
Big on botanicals, this was my chance! I prepped their Incredible Edible Botanical Bingo the night before the forage.

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Carl Linnaeus was the Swede responsible for the naming and classification of living organisms (Systema Natura), a system we continue to use today.
With humans at the time, naming plant and animal species as they like, he tailored the names to one common name and one Latin name, as well at look at various species and their relations (fish and whales not being in the same category, for instance.) Humans, as mammals giving birth to live young, are included in his charting.
This is an amazing biography, picture book style, to sum up Carl's contribution to science in the early 1700's.

 Wild Blackberry

We likely have more wild options for forage then we are aware. However the few we know, we try to use.
The object of the Bingo was to identify the plant by flower and leaf, collect and attempt to name it.

 Wild Catnip & Dandelion

 

We went on believing that this plant, abundant all over our land, is mint and proceeded using it in our smoothies and salads. A friend and later Naturopath, confirmed it's actually wild catnip! A member of the mint family (but far fuzzier!).
Totally edible and completely calming, we're still using it!
It also deters rodents (likely due to the cat association!), so if you have a mouse or rat issue, best to leave it where it grows.

 Red Clover, Chicory, Wild Catnip, Wild Chamomile, Wood Sorrel...

 

Great read breaking down edibles into fruits, plants, fungi and seaweeds.
Also provides recipes and great drawings.

I love Roger Peterson guides and drawings.

This book divides flowers into colour categories which is a fantastic reference for people getting to know their nature. Instead of guessing, a colour section of drawings is provided for yellows, reds/pinks, blue/violets and white flowers, so you can identify the name before further learning can take place.

Great field guide!