North Carolina's utilizable plant life falls into several categories, situated both vertically and horizontally. Vertically, edibles are essentially arranged by their caloric (and nutritional) content. Seeds and nuts, like Amaranth, Acorn, Hickory, and Hazelnut are high on this axis. They are providers of a greater energy source compared to greens, which are low on the scale. Poke, Beefsteak plant, and Clearweed are not too calorie packed (however they are nutritious). Berries like Black cherry and Dewberry fall somewhere in the middle.

Drawing from the eastern Coastal Plain, western Appalachias, and middle Piedmont, Wild Edible Plants of North Carolina compiles the most useful and common wild edibles found within the state's boundaries. Defining each profiled plant's edible use and preparation is the publication's main aim. Additional categories include the discussion of every plant's habitat, range, medicinal use (if applicable), cautions, and special considerations. Helpful additions include sustenance ratings (low, medium, or high), collection timing and desired plant-part indicators, county-by-county map-images, over 160 color photos, and a general index.

Plant List: Amaranth, American Hazel, Arrowhead, Asparagus, Autumn Olive, Beautyberry, Beefsteak Plant, Black Cherry, Black Nightshade, Black Walnut, Blackberry, Blackhaw, Blackseed Plantain, Blueberry, Cattail, Chickweed, Chinquapin, Clearweed, Creeping Cucumber, Dayflower, Daylily, Dewberry, Elder, Gooseberry, Greenbrier, Ground Cherry, Hickory, Indian Strawberry, Kudzu, Lemonade Berry, Linden, Mayapple, Oak, Partridgeberry, Passionflower, Pawpaw, Persimmon, Pin Cherry, Pokeweed, Prickly Pear, Redbud, Serviceberry, Sheep's Sorrel, Sorrel, Sow Thistle, Spiderwort, Spring Beauty, Sugarberry, Thistle, Wild Grape, Wild Onion, Wild Plum, Wild Rose, Wild Strawberry, Wineberry, Wintercress, Yellow Nutsedge, and Yellowdock.