your jacket full of cattail fluff and you'll turn it into a winter coat, possibly saving you from the number one killer in the wilderness: hypothermia.

Some have also reported using cattail as an insect repellent. Just keep a smudgy fire going by burning the seed fluff. This may

Why learn about wild plants just to go backpacking? Of course it is interesting for some of us, but beyond that, a little knowledge of plants can save your life. This isn't just about the edible ones. Food is actually a low priority in most wilderness emergencies. However, there are many other important uses for the plants out there.

Useful Wild Plants

Cattails: The cattail is one of the most useful wild plants in the wilderness. Swampy or wet areas throughout the northern hemisphere have cattail plants, and once you identified them, you'll never forget them. While they have five edible parts, cattails are much more than food plants. Their long flat leaves have been used for centuries to make baskets and food-serving trays. You can weave them into mats for sleeping on, and even make crude clothing out of them.

The "fluff" of the cattail seed head that makes it one of the first wild plants you should learn about. The old fluffy seed heads often cling to the tops of the stalks year-round. Put a spark to these and it they can burst into flame. This can be a life-saver if you don't have matches. Stuff your jacket full of cattail fluff and you'll turn it into a winter coat, possibly saving you from the number one killer in the wilderness: hypothermia.

Some have also reported using cattail as an insect repellent. Just keep a smudgy fire going by burning the seed fluff. This may

any other important uses for the plants out there.

Useful Wild Plants

Cattails: The cattail is one of the most useful wild plants in the wilderness. Swampy or wet areas throughout the northern hemisphere have cattail plants, and once you identified them, you'll never forget them. While they have five edible parts, cattails are much more than food plants. Their long flat leaves have been used for centuries to make baskets and food-serving trays. You can weave them into mats for sleeping on, and even make crude clothing out of them.

The "fluff" of the cattail seed head that makes it one of the first wild plants you should learn about. The old fluffy seed heads often cling to the tops of the stalks year-round. Put a spark to these and it they can burst into flame. This can be a life-saver if you don't have matches. Stuff your jacket full of cattail fluff and you'll turn it into a winter coat, possibly saving you from the number one killer in the wilderness: hypothermia.

Some have also reported using cattail as an insect repellent. Just keep a smudgy fire going by burning the seed fluff. This may

r forget them. While they have five edible parts, cattails are much more than food plants. Their long flat leaves have been used for centuries to make baskets and food-serving trays. You can weave them into mats for sleeping on, and even make crude clothing out of them.

The "fluff" of the cattail seed head that makes it one of the first wild plants you should learn about. The old fluffy seed heads often cling to the tops of the stalks year-round. Put a spark to these and it they can burst into flame. This can be a life-saver if you don't have matches. Stuff your jacket full of cattail fluff and you'll turn it into a winter coat, possibly saving you from the number one killer in the wilderness: hypothermia.

Some have also reported using cattail as an insect repellent. Just keep a smudgy fire going by burning the seed fluff. This may

ff" of the cattail seed head that makes it one of the first wild plants you should learn about. The old fluffy seed heads often cling to the tops of the stalks year-round. Put a spark to these and it they can burst into flame. This can be a life-saver if you don't have matches. Stuff your jacket full of cattail fluff and you'll turn it into a winter coat, possibly saving you from the number one killer in the wilderness: hypothermia.

Some have also reported using cattail as an insect repellent. Just keep a smudgy fire going by burning the seed fluff. This may

your jacket full of cattail fluff and you'll turn it into a winter coat, possibly saving you from the number one killer in the wilderness: hypothermia.

Some have also reported using cattail as an insect repellent. Just keep a smudgy fire going by burning the seed fluff. This may not be any more effective than any smoky fire would be, but it's so simple to collect and burn cattail fluff that it is worth remembering.

Yuccas: Sword-like leaves with sharply pointed ends make these easy plants to recognize. Few plants can be used so easily to make rope or twine. In the California desert I peeled yucca leaves into strips and braided them into a rope in a matter of thirty minutes. With two men pulling hard on either end, we couldn't break it. This is one of the better plants for making ropes as well as finer string (separate out the finest fibers).

Yucca can also provide needle and thread for emergency repairs. Cut the tip of a yucca leaf from the inside, an inch down and about halfway through. Bend it back, and you'll be able to peel some fibers out of the leaf, which stay attached to the "needle" or tip of the leaf. I've pulled out two-foot long strands of fibers this way, and sewn up clothing with them.

Milkweeds: Several parts are edible with proper preparation, and some people apply the white sap to warts to get rid of them. The really useful part of the milkweed, however, is the