Re: cycad

On 8/27/07, Tony and Moira <tomory@xtra.co.nz> wrote:

> I obviously did not pursue my research far enough as I missed this. This is
> not the only potentially poisonous plant which yields an edible carbohydrate
> by special processing. The one commonly quoted is Cassava (Manihot) which
> contains a cyanogenetic glycoside. This if not carefully got rid of can give
> rise in the eater to dangerous levels of cyanide which can cause severe
> nervous diseases and sometimes goiter. Nevertheless it is widely grown and
> used especially in South America and parts of Africa. It has always amazed
> me that primitive people have managed to hit on ways of getting round the
> poison in such crops. I suppose for many communities it was a case of hunger
> driving them to continue experimenting until they got it right.
>

There are several plants in California which are a source of
carbohydrates that have to be processed first to be edible. Quercus,
Aesculus, and Chlorogalum. Quercus seeds were ground into a fine
flour, and then leached with water. Some tribes would leave whole
seeds in a bag in a running stream, while others would bury the seeds
in boggy ground. Although, putting the flour in a sand lined pit and
pouring water into it was common (and fast way) or leaching out the
tannins.

Aesculus would be cooked, then sliced, and then soaked in a bag in a
running stream for several days. I've heard that it was a sort of
famine food. Chlorogalum bulbs (Soap Lilies) were roasted slowly until
edible.
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