If the current run on toilet paper lasts into the Spring, folks who live in the country (or near a park!) can turn to leaves in a pinch. Just make sure you don't pick the poisonous ones.

Over the weekend, my buddy and I helped an elderly neighbor assemble a greenhouse frame. As we discussed the local toilet paper shortage, my buddy mentioned he owns a bidet, so he's good; my elderly neighbor, who's from West Virginia, has spent most of his life outdoors, grew up poor, and grew up using leaves as toilet paper, so he says he'll be fine.

Question is, which leaves? I looked it up when I got home, and you generally want to look for leaves that are:

1. Large (gotta keep those hands clean)

2. Tough (won't tear)

3. Preferably with some fuzz on them (makes for a better wiping experience)

If you're good at visual identification, here are photos of some recommended "brands" you should look out for:

Big Leaf Aster

Found in: Eastern, central U.S.

Image by RockerBOO

Big Leaf Magnolia

Found in: Southeastern U.S., eastern Mexico

Image by (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) - CC BY-SA 2.5

Big Leaf Maple

Found in: Western North America

Image by Angilbas at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Pixeltoo using CommonsHelper., Public Domain

Corn Lily

Found in: Western U.S.

Image by Tom Hilton

Mullein

Found in: All of U.S.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Wooly Lamb's Ear

Found in: Most of U.S.

Image by Ivy Dawned

Leaves to avoid:

- Anything waxy (smears rather than absorbs)

- Leaves grouped in threes (might be poisonous)

- Leaves growing in alternating, as opposed to mirroring, positions on the branch (might be poisonous)

Happy wiping!

Sources:

Climb Tall Peaks, Hip Camp, Newbie Prepper