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Season
Fall · frost in ~44 d
Foraging around Boise
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyForaging in Boise: Early Fall Harvest
In season now
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
Where: Riparian corridors along the Boise River, foothills, and shrublands; common in Bogus Basin area.
Dark purple-black berries in drooping clusters, ripe now through mid-September; harvest when fully dark and slightly soft, then remove pits before eating raw or cook into jam.
Look-alikes: Black hawthorn berries are similar but smaller and contain a large hard pit; chokecherry pits are also toxic raw, so always cook or spit them out.
Caution: Leaves, stems, and pits contain cyanogenic compounds—never consume them.
Wild plum (Prunus americana)
Where: Streambanks, canyon bottoms, and disturbed areas in the foothills; scattered throughout Ada County.
Red to yellow marble-sized fruits ripen late August through September; eat fresh when soft or cook into preserves.
Look-alikes: Chokecherry is darker and grows in larger clusters; wild plum fruits are solitary or in pairs.
Caution: Pits are toxic if cracked and ingested; remove before eating.
Serviceberry / Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia)
Where: Foothills, canyon rims, and open woodlands around Boise; prolific in the Bogus Basin and Hulls Gulch.
Small dark purple berries ripen August through September; sweet and mild, eat fresh or dry for winter storage.
Look-alikes: Hawthorn berries are similar but smaller and harder; serviceberry has no thorns on the branches.
Caution: None; fully edible and non-toxic.
Miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)
Where: Moist shaded areas, stream margins, and disturbed ground in foothills; common in Bogus Basin and northern canyons.
Small round leaves with a hole in the center; tender and mild, eat raw in salads or lightly cooked.
Look-alikes: No dangerous look-alikes; the distinctive round perfoliate leaf is diagnostic.
Caution: None; fully edible.
Wild onion / Nodding onion (Allium cernuum)
Where: Dry rocky slopes, sagebrush areas, and canyon sides throughout the Boise foothills.
Small pink or white flowers nod downward; bulbs and leaves smell distinctly of onion; harvest bulbs in fall or use green tops year-round.
Look-alikes: Death camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum) has white flowers and no onion smell; always crush a leaf to confirm strong onion odor before harvesting.
Caution: Death camas is deadly—never harvest any Allium-like plant without confirming onion smell.
Currants and gooseberries (Ribes spp.)
Where: Riparian areas, canyon bottoms, and moist foothills; common in Bogus Basin and along creeks.
Small round berries in clusters (currants) or solitary (gooseberries), ripe now in red, black, or yellow; tart and sweet, eat fresh or cook.
Look-alikes: No dangerous look-alikes; all wild Ribes are edible.
Caution: None; fully edible.
Coming soon
Hawthorn berries (Crataegus spp.)
Red berries ripen in late September through October; traditionally used for tea and tincture.
Caution: Pits contain cyanogenic compounds; use berries only, discard pits.
Wild rose hips (Rosa spp.)
Orange-red fruits develop after frost; high in vitamin C, use for tea, jam, or syrup.
Caution: Remove seeds and fine hairs inside; they irritate the throat.
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
Blue-purple berries ripen late September onward; tart, use for jelly or juice.
Caution: Leaves and roots contain berberine and are toxic; use berries only.
Safety in this area
- Rocky Mountain wood ticks are active through fall; check skin and clothing after foraging, especially in sagebrush and canyon areas.
- Poison ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii) grows in riparian corridors and moist foothills; three leaflets, often reddish in fall—avoid contact and wash skin immediately if exposed.
- Giant hogweed does not occur in the Boise area, but water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) grows in wet areas and is deadly if ingested or touched; white umbrella-shaped flower clusters and chambered stems are diagnostic—never touch.
- Black bears are present in the foothills and Bogus Basin, especially in berry season; make noise while foraging, avoid dawn and dusk, and never approach cubs or carcasses. Most foraging occurs on public land (National Forest, BLM, state parks) where foraging is permitted; always check local regulations and respect private property.
Foraging information is educational. Confirm every identification with a regional field guide or expert before eating anything wild.
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