Ivoryclaw & Enotik
Hey, I’ve been setting up a quick shelter with branches I found and noticed a bunch of vines that could double as rope. Could you help me identify which ones are safe for that use, and maybe give me a quick list of which have edible parts or useful fibers? I’d love to add them to a spreadsheet.
Sure thing, here’s a quick rundown you can copy straight into your spreadsheet. I’ll list the common name, botanical Latin, whether it’s safe to use as rope, any edible parts, and other useful fibers. I’ll also flag the ones you should skip because they’re toxic or just messy.
1. Hemp, Cannabis sativa – safe for rope, no edible fruit, strong fibers for textiles and cordage.
2. Jute, Corchorus capsularis – safe for rope, no edible parts, excellent coarse fiber for twine.
3. Nettle, Urtica dioica – safe for rope, leaves can be cooked like spinach, stems give a fine linen‑like fiber.
4. Willow, Salix species – bark can be braided into ropes, young shoots edible as a spring green, bark fibers used for baskets.
5. Grape, Vitis vinifera – safe for rope (the vine can be twisted into a cord), edible grapes, leaves and stems can be used for herbal teas.
6. Passionfruit, Passiflora edulis – vine can be twisted into a light rope, edible fruit, leaves used in salads.
7. Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus – climbing plant, stems can be strung into a lightweight cord, edible pods, leaves edible in some cultures.
8. White willow, Salix whitei – good for light rope, young shoots edible, bark used for making small baskets.
**Skip these for safety:**
- Poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans – toxic, no rope value.
- Poison oak, Toxicodendron vernix – toxic, no rope value.
- White ivy, Hedera helix – ornamental, not good for rope, leaves can be irritating.
Just drop the names and the details into your sheet, add a column for pH preference if you’re keeping a soil log, and you’re set. Let me know if you want more exotic vines or tips on how to twist them into a tidy rope!