Rose bay willow herb

[hardr004]

are there any uses for the stuf

 

[Mesquite]

are there any uses for the stuf

Yup... pick it, strip the leaves from it, split the stem open and scoop out the pith then eat.

Makes for a nice little snack bit like a melon in texture

 

[JonathanD]

You can use the pith to thicken liquids too.

 

[mattweasel]

I have got great willowherb in my garden, just wondering if it has the same uses as Rosebay willowherb.

 

[Man of Tanith]

you can use the feathery down from rosebay willowherb as tinder its not the best tinder but it works well in a tinder bundle
you can make a tea from the young leaves as well but i've not tried it

 

[wattsy]

first time i ever did a bow drill i used rosebay willowherb down in the tinder bundle went up a treat

 

[xylaria]

I have got great willowherb in my garden, just wondering if it has the same uses as Rosebay willowherb.

I have found it tougher, and what ptih you can find tastes metalic. I doesn't weave to good either.

 

[motz]

here you go, http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Epilobium+angustifolium.

 

[jdlenton]

i believe you can eat the root but dont quote me
you can also use the outer bark to make cordage
the seed in my opinion is one of the best seed down tinders

 

[sargey]

i believe you can eat the root but dont quote me
you can also use the outer bark to make cordage
the seeds in my opinion is one of the best seed down tinders

i will quote you re the root, you can live on it, but tastes like crepe.

cheers, and.

 

[forestwalker]

The dried leaves makes a nice tea (there was reportedly a company in Norway that imported 1-2 tons of ceylon tea, and sold 15 tons, the remainder was rosebay willowherb. I use it with a little bit of mint and backcurrent leaves mixed in; quite nice, tastes a bit like a "herby" green tea.

The pith is edible and tasts nice.

The roots are avlos edible, but not so nice IIRC. Can't recall the details, atm, but recall there was only some portion of the roots that was usefull. Getting a bit late in season for them too, at least around here.

Fluff for fire-starting, of course.

 

[mattweasel]

Thanks for the reply, think I'll be leaving them alone then. (Great willowherb that is).