At Home in the Wilderness

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

WATER FROM PLANTS

Plants can also provide water . . . and such supplies usually don't contain the pollutants that natural catches can harbor. However, since most vegetation doesn't have enough available water to serve as a complete survival source, plants are best used to stay the pains of thirst or to obtain temporary, "quick relief" emergency water. In addition, it takes a long time to collect liquid from all but a few plants . . . many such sources are good only during certain seasons of the year . . . and you have to be careful never to utilize vegetation from a sprayed area or roadside.

Hardwoods: In early spring, walnut, maple, birch, and hickory trees can all serve as sources of water. To get the fluid, you simply tap the treeas Vermont maple—syrup makers do—by boring a half-inch or quarter-inch hole into the trunk with a knife or sharp rock, inserting a hollow reed, and collecting the thin sap in a bark or log cup. Alternatively, you can cut through the bark with diagonal slashes. Make sure that you cut into the sap wood, or cambium, that lies just under the bark and that you don't kill the tree by cutting all the way around it.

Since water gathered by this method contains a high concentration of sugar, drinking large amounts of it can cause an upset stomach or cramps. For the same reason, the liquid tends to spoil when it's not drunk soon. (I like to use it to brew a presweetened herbal tea! )

Sycamore trees can be tapped in the same manner as can the hardwoods mentioned above. The water from this tree, however, can be harvested any time of year except the dead of winter and, since it doesn't contain much sugar, can be consumed in quantity or stored for a few days.

Thistle: Ail common species of North American thistle can provide water. (In my experience the bull thistle yields the most, and best—tasting, nourishment.) To get the juice, simply peel the thorns off young stems and leaves and eat the watery food like celery. (In fact, my students fondly call the thistle "survival celery" and find it a refreshing snack on hot trips.)

Since thistles supply only a meager portion of liquid, though, they're best used to quench a burning thirst or to keep you going until other water sources can be found. I did once get over ten ounces of water-during a survival camp-out-by crushing and filtering a dozen thistle plants. But I don't want to use this method again unless my life is on the line. It requires killing too many of my plant brothers.

Cactus: Cactuses are another "edible water" source. My favorite variety is the common prickly pear. It has a high water content and is also a good vitamin-laced food source. Folks who find the flavor or texture of the pulp objectionable can simply crush, squeeze, and strain the plant for its water.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print