Barbarea vulgaris – Wintercress

Wintercress/ Yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris) is an edible and invasive spring green that is in the mustard family. All plants in the mustard family are edible. Wintercress can be identified by its alternate and hairless leaves and bright yellow flowers which have 4 petals and 6 stamens (2 of which are short and 4 are […]

Stellaria media – Chickweed

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a common edible green that was brought here from Europe. Chickweed can be identified by its teardrop-shaped leaves that grow opposite each other. It has a single line of hairs growing along its stem and white flowers with five petals (appears to be 10 petals due to its deep clefts). Chickweed […]

Nepeta cataria – Catnip

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a non-native plant in the mint family that can be found wild in New England. Catnip, as with all plants in the mint family, has a square stem and opposite leaves. Catnip can be identified by its heart-shaped and velvety leaves. The plant has a skunky smell that 2/3 of cats […]

Glechoma hederacea – Ground Ivy

Ground Ivy/ Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) is an invasive edible plant in the mint family. Ground ivy can be identified by its square stem and purple-blue flowers. Ground ivy can be eaten raw, used as an herb or tea, or cooked. It was used in England in the 16th century to flavor beer before hops […]

Picea abies – Norway Spruce

Norway Spruce (Picea abies) is a common spruce tree that came from Europe. Spruce trees have needles that have 4 sides. The needles of spruces are individually attached to the stem, unlike pine needles which are grouped in fascicles. All spruces produce edible tips. The flavor of spruce tips varies by species from being citrusy […]

Tsuga canadensis – Eastern Hemlock

Eastern Hemlock Trees (Tsuga canadensis) are native, common forest trees. Eastern Hemlocks can be identified by their 1/2 inch long, flat needles that have white stripes on their underside. The stems also have miniature, often upside down needles that line the top of the branches. The cones are 3/4 inch long. The trees can grow […]

Persicaria longiseta – Oriental Lady’s Thumb

Oriental Lady’s Thumb (Persicaria longiseta) is an edible, non-native plant from Asia. It can be identified by its alternate leaves and small pink flowers. All above ground parts of oriental lady’s thumb are edible raw or cooked. It has a peppery taste. Oriental lady’s thumb might be confused with lady’s thumb (Persicaria maculosa) which has […]

Leucanthemum vulgare – Oxeye Daisy

Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) is a non-native, edible plant that can be found in sunny areas. The oxeye daisy can be identified by its alternate, toothed leaves and stem with small hairs on the base of the stalk. The stems have one flower per stalk. Flowers are 1-2.5 inches in diameter. Flowers, leaves, and unopened […]

Aegopodium podagraria – Ground Elder

Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria) is an edible, invasive plant in the carrot family. Ground elder can be identified by its toothed, hairless leaves in groups of three. The plant grows less than a foot tall. The stalks are grooved and hairless, unlike Wild Carrot. In May-June, the plant sends up a flower stalk that grows […]

Leonurus cardiaca – Common Motherwort

Common Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a non-native, medicinal plant in the mint family. Motherwort has pink tubular flowers, upper leaves lobed in three parts, and lower leaves that resemble maple leaves. The plant is bitter so does not taste or smell good, but it has been used medicinally to regulate menstrual periods, calm anxiety, and […]

Hypericum perforatum – St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a non-native medicinal plant that usually flowers near the summer solstice. It can be found in sunny areas with dry, gravelly soil. St. John’s wort has five-petalled flowers with many stamens and narrow leaves which have tiny transparent dots. The flowers produce a red/purple substance when crushed called hypericin, […]

Filipendula ulmaria – Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a non-native edible and medicinal plant in the rose family that flowers in July. Meadowsweet can be identified by its reddish stem and creamy-white flowers with five petals. The flowers have a sweet, almondy scent. The flowers can be used to flavor mead or panna cotta. They can also be added […]

Comptonia peregrina – Sweet Fern

Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina) is a native shrub related to the bayberry plant. Sweet fern is not a true fern, as it produces seeds and flowers, unlike ferns which reproduce using spores.   Sweet fern leaves have a nice aroma, but are tough, so are best used to flavor liquids. The leaves should then be […]

Matricaria discoidea – Pineapple weed

Pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea) is an edible and medicinal native plant that is similar to chamomile. It can be identified by its unique cone-shaped flower heads that lack ray flowers. Pineapple weed can be found along trails in sunny areas from May-September. It has a pineapple-like taste and aroma. Pineapple weed can be eaten raw […]

Hamamelis virginiana – Common Witch Hazel

Common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is an abundant native plant in New England with many topical uses. Witch hazel was first mass produced in the mid 1800’s in Essex, Connecticut. The leaves have an asymmetrical base and serrated edges. The plant uniquely blooms in autumn.   Astringents made from witch hazel have been used to […]

Cantharellus minor – Small Chanterelle

The Small chanterelle (Cantharellus minor) is an edible, although unsubstantial mushroom. Small chanterelles are mycorrhizal with hardwood trees. They are often found in moss, under oak trees. Chanterelles can be identified by their decurrent false gills. Small chanterelles look very similar to golden chanterelles but have a slenderer and hollow stem. Although the small chanterelle […]

Cichorium intybus – Common Chicory

Common chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a non-native edible and medicinal plant that can be found in sunny areas. The entire plant is edible, although it can be bitter. It is beneficial to eat bitter herbs, as they assist with digestion, weight management, and blood sugar regulation. Chicory has also been used to boost immunity and […]

Agaricus campestris – Meadow Mushrooms

Meadow mushrooms (Agaricus campestris) are the edible wild cousin of the white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). Meadow mushrooms can be identified by their pink gills that turn dark brown with age and their dark brown spore print. The mushroom should not turn yellow when handled and should not be growing from a vulva. Meadow mushrooms […]

Artomyces pyxidatus – Crown-tipped Coral

Crown-tipped coral (Artomyces pyxidatus) is an edible mushroom that can be found from June-September. It fruits on dead or dying wood, which is unique in the coral fungi group. Crown-tipped coral is always a shade of white and has crown-like branch tips. It has a mild peppery flavor and cooks very quickly. It is best […]

Prunella vulgaris – Self-heal

Self-heal/ “Heal-all” (Prunella vulgaris) is a native edible and medicinal plant in the mint family. Self-heal can be identified by its opposite leaves, square stem, and purple flowers that appear mid-late summer. It is found in woodland edges and meadows. All above ground parts can be used as an edible or medicinal. It has a […]