*grin* Thanks much! I do love sharing. If you like my writings, you may enjoy some of my blog articles. While I no longer actively write for this one, there are many articles from me here. I completely write the one I added to the links below and it is all on plants with a fair bit of herb content depending upon what I feel like writing. I hope you enjoy! Sorry if the books have a east/central focus. It's where I live and what I know. There are many plants that do range across much of North America so there is some useful information even for people in the western parts of the continent. The Moerman book though covers Native Nations from all across the continent, even Western ones. It is an excellent book and a necessary one if you are interested in the herbalism of Native Americans, the blend of Western and Native herbalism like that of the Thomsonian and Eclectic schools, and just the herbalism of the plants indigenous to where you live. You may try Michael Moore's website, Southwest Botanical Medicine (if I'm remembering rightly). It's been a while since I visited the site and can't recall exactly, but I'm pretty sure there are suggestions of western US herb references on that site. FataMorgana Here is a link that might be useful: My blog - Our Green Neighbors

Usually called Lacebark elm to avoid confusion. On pfaf.org, it says Edible Uses Edible Parts: Fruit; Inner bark; Leaves. Leaves - raw or cooked[105, 177]. Immature fruits, used just after they are formed - raw or cooked[105, 132]. An aromatic, unusual flavour, leaving the mouth feeling fresh and the breath smelling pleasant[132]. It contains about 34.4% protein, 28.2% fat, 17% carbohydrate, 5% ash[132]. Inner bark - cooked. A mucilaginous texture[105, 177]. No more details are given but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[K]. Medicinal Uses Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. Antidote; Demulcent; Diuretic; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Hypnotic; Lithontripic. The leaves are antidote and lithontripic[218]. The stem bark is demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypnotic and lithontripic[178, 218]. The flowers are used in the treatment of fevers and neuritis[218].

Herbs: I'm in the san diego area and have had success growing a vast number of herbs. These have all grown well over the past several years: Lavender, Thyme, Basil (all types), Dill, Cilantro, Sage (all kinds), Chamomille, Oregeno, Rosmary, Catnip, Chives, Scallions, Ginger root, Onions, Spearmint, Peppermint, & Lemon Balm. (be wary of planting the mints directly into your garden, if they go to seed you'll be finding mint everywhere and anywhere for a long time. I suggest potting mint, and keeping it on a patio/away from an area which it can drop seeds.)

Petersons publishes both a medicinal plant and edible plant guide that are invaluable resources but if you are a novice to wild plants and identifying them, I would suggest starting your learning from someone in person. Books are wonderful and I have taught myself much from them but my first teachers about plants, plant safety, and plant identification were my parents when I was very young. I also have taken many in-person identification and herbal medicine classes as well as guided walks and tours. Please look for classes or perhaps herbalists in your area. Wildcrafting and processing the plant material is time-consuming. I'm sure many herbalists would trade learning for help in collecting and processing botanical material. And in learning about your wild resources, be sure to check out United Plant Savers for a list of plants that are "at risk." These are native, medicinal plants that have been decimated in the wild. Be sure to temper your collecting with good stewardship. Good luck in your endeavors! FataMorgana Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon link to Peterson's Medicinal plant book