Best foraging books for the Ozarks
A foraging guide is only as good as its match to your area. These books are written for the Ozarks. Always confirm an ID with two sources before you eat anything, and learn the deadly look-alikes first.
Written for the Ozarks
Foraging the Ozarks
B. O. Brown · Ozarks (MO/AR)
A regional guide to wild edibles in the Ozark highlands.
beginnerOzarks (MO/AR)
Broader guides that also cover this area
A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America
Lee Peterson · Eastern & Central North America
The Peterson guide to wild foods, keyed by flower color and plant type. Compact and long trusted.
beginnerEastern & Central North AmericaField guide
Midwest Foraging
Lisa M. Rose · Midwest US
115 wild foods of the Midwest with photos and when to find them.
beginnerMidwest US
Sam Thayer's Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern and Central North America
Samuel Thayer · Eastern & Central North America
Thayer's compact field guide covering a large number of species, designed for use outdoors.
beginnerEastern & Central North AmericaField guide
Southeast Foraging
Chris Bennett · Southeast US
120 wild foods of the Southeast, from muscadines to persimmons.
beginnerSoutheast USThe Forager's Harvest
Samuel Thayer · Eastern & Central North America
Samuel Thayer's in-depth guide to identifying, harvesting, and preparing wild plants. Known for careful, first-hand accounts.
intermediateEastern & Central North America
Incredible Wild Edibles
Samuel Thayer · Eastern & Central North America
The third of Thayer's foraging books, with 36 more plants covered in depth.
intermediateEastern & Central North America
Mushrooms of the Midwest
Michael Kuo, Andrew S. Methven · Midwest US
A detailed mushroom guide for the Midwest from the founder of MushroomExpert.com.
intermediateMidwest USField guideMushrooms of the Southeastern United States
Alan Bessette, Arleen Bessette, William C. Roody · Southeast US
A thorough ID guide to mushrooms of the Southeast.
intermediateSoutheast USField guideNature's Garden
Samuel Thayer · Eastern & Central North America
Thayer's second book, covering more wild edibles in the same detailed, honest style.
intermediateEastern & Central North AmericaPeterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America
Steven Foster, James A. Duke · Eastern & Central North America
Identifies medicinal plants of the East and Midwest with photos and cautions about toxic look-alikes. Pairs ID with traditional uses.
intermediateEastern & Central North AmericaField guide