Whether you're just beginning your foraging journey or you're a seasoned herbalist, this guide is crafted especially for those exploring the wild abundance of the Southeastern United States. While many of these titles are useful across the Eastern U.S., I’ve chosen books that truly shine in the Southeast’s unique ecosystems.

In this article, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite foraging books—a mix of practical, inspiring, and thought-provoking reads that will deepen your connection to the land and the plants around you.

You’ll find them organized into four helpful categories:

🌿 General Foraging Guides
🌿 Plant ID Books for Foragers
🌿 Recipe Books & Wild Foods
🌿 Thought-Provoking Foraging Reads

Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is near and dear to my heart. It’s plump red berries in winter and beautiful yellow blooms in spring… Yes, I love autumn olive even though it has a bad reputation.

I first learned about autumn olive in my wildlife habitat class while working towards my master’s in wildlife ecology. My professor noted that autumn olive is the poster child for wildlife biologists not always getting their management correct and that even scientists can fail.