What are safe/effective leaves from around the world for use in tidying up your backside after answering the call of nature?

The leaves of the Striped Maple ("Moose Maple") are a no-contest winner, at least in the forests of the northeastern US. The leaves are large, and softer than some forms of toilet paper.

As for availability: Anecdotally, I tend to see this plant in most deciduous forests of New Hampshire. It tends to grow bush-like near the ground, at least while it's young. At higher elevations you may need to resort to another alternative.

As for durability: It's a leaf of the same thickness as a standard maple leaf - don't expect it to survive days in your pack. It's got the durability of a leaf; nothing special. Shouldn't break while you're using it, if you're reasonably careful.

via Wikipedia

posted about 10 years ago

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John Walthour‭

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I'll start with a local favorite: great mullein or common mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Introduced to the North America. I've found it from New York to North Carolina. Apparently originated in Europe and Asia, I think.

The leaves are large, moderately durable, thick, but soft and fuzzy. Their usefulness is somewhat limited by the fact that they tend to be found on disturbed sites in full sun - and not likely to be found in deep shaded forest areas. But the leaves remain usable for some time, so you can collect some for later use.

posted about 10 years ago

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That Idiot‭

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Leaves are only an option while they're in season. In winter, snowballs work great.

posted about 9 years ago

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samglover‭

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Thimbleberry leaves are my favourite (Rubus spectabilis), They're all over the place in the Kootenays in British Columbia (Southern Canadian Rockies). They're soft and they're about the size of your hand or bigger. The berries are very tasty too, so you you can have a peachy-fuzz-tart-raspberry snack while you do your business.

^{Hand for reference, this leaf was about 30cm wide.}

posted about 10 years ago

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ShemSeger‭

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Plantago major is not only a rough plant with strong leaves which grows technically everywhere, but also a useful herb. Try to find bigger leaves, perhaps not from the strict proximity of the road.

posted about 9 years ago

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Akabelle‭

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Dock leaves are good:

They're big, durable, plentiful, and (most importantly) non-stinging. A little rough, maybe, but what do you expect from a leaf... ?

Remember, try to leave no trace.

posted about 10 years ago

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System‭

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