Foraging for fun Japanese knotweed, an invasive species, is edible and can be steamed like asparagus or used as a substitute for rhubarb. The stalks pictured here are ready for harvesting, peeling and eating on the spot or for chopping up and cooking in a recipe. Learn about wild edible plants at June 16 WRWC walk SMITHFIELD – If you’ve ever been on a hike and wondered which of the plants growing wild you could pop into your mouth as a snack, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council’s got you covered with their next event. On Wednesday, June 16, WRWC will host a walk for people to learn how to identify wild edible plants at the Mowry Conservation Area on Old Forge Road in Smithfield, starting at 6 p.m.