Eskimo Potato
Trip Start
May 05, 2009
1
28
48
Trip End
Sep 20, 2009
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Friday, July 24, 2009
This is another plant in the Pea/Fabaceae family along with the Lupine. It looks very much like what we call Vetch which is also in that family. Eskimo Potato grows profusely in Denali Park and Preserve. However, at lower elevations for example Riley Creek the plants are much bigger and grow in larger bunches than they do at higher elevations. Eskimo Potato is a favorite food of grizzly bears. We have watched the bears digging it along the edge of Savage River.
If you have read "Into the Wild," it is believed that Chris McCandless ate the seeds of Eskimo Potato that had developed some sort of fungus or bacteria. This caused his digestive system not to be able to extract nutrients from food and he starved to death. Needless to say we are not having Eskimo Potato seeds with our supper tonight
Riley Creek Eskimo Potato past its prime.
! I'll stick to Eukanuba Weight Control and be happy.Unfortunately, Val was late in getting Eskimo Potato pictures this year, and the blossoms are past their prime. Nonetheless it is an interesting plant for this area, and she wanted to include it in an occasional plant life offering.
In my opinion veggies are ok, but how about some roasted ptarmigan or sautéed snowshoe hare?
Hungry in Healy,
Remington Beagle
