> To us, the seed
> is the point.  Maybe to primitive man, the plant was the point.

I had not thought about it in those terms. It's very possible grain plants
were harvested for parts other than the seed (especially soon after sprouti
ng). Physiologically, I don't think we can efficiently process mature grass
y leaves, but I'm not sure about other parts of a mature plant.

Asparagus would be a very good example of your point.

Perhaps someone on the list could expound a bit? Are the roots, and perhaps
the lower stalk, of - say - wheat edible? Even desirable?