Foraging New Mexico

New Mexico is mostly known for its vast, arid, desert landscapes. Despite that perception, New Mexico has a diverse set of environments – from thickly wooded foothills and alpine mountains to grassland and plains. Despite the low precipitation across the state, these diverse ecosystems lead to a plethora of wild edible plants to harvest and prepare year-round – even in the state’s most arid regions.

Foraging New Mexico will cover 79 of the unique edible plant species that occur across the state – from tumbleweed and wild plum to mullein and juniper berries. Each species covered includes the common and botanical name, family, physical description, range, harvesting techniques, and safety concerns/look alike species. Recipe ideas and preservation techniques are also included throughout for preparing and preserving your wild harvest.