Plant Terminology

The following illustrations show the basic parts of the plant. This is important information when attempting to identify a plant with which you are not familiar.

I highly recommend anyone looking to make use of natures bounty of wild edibles to obtain a book or two, and start out slowly. I have amassed a rather large library of books over the forty odd years I have been studying plants. I would recommend your first purchase to be the Peterson's Guide Book. This book is laid out in such a manner that makes it easy for a novice to zero in on a plant by its identifying characteristics. It tells which parts of the plant are edible, at what stage it is edible, and what uses you can make from it. For example, teas, trail nibble, salad green, pot herb, cooked vegetable, insect repellent, etc.

Leaf Shapes

Leaf Arrangements

Flower Terms

Root Styles

Here is a link to purchase the book from which I borrowed the above illustrations
Peterson Field Guide - Edible Wild Plants Eastern/Central North America