Chicory, a Tasty Potherb and Coffee Alternative
Chicory (Cichorium intybus), is a small perennial herb originally native to Europe. Due to farming, and it being used within animal feed, chicory can now be found throughout the world. It is particularly abundant in north America and China. It has a range of old and local names including, blue daisy, blue weed and horseweed. […]
Lamb’s Quarters, Easy to Forage Leafy Green
Lamb’s Quarters (Chenopodium album), is a fast spreading weed found throughout the world. It is originally thought to be a native of Europe and parts of Eastern Asia. In many areas, particularly India it is cultivated as a food crop, meaning it likely spread via trade and colonisation. Other common names include melde and white […]
Redbud, a Bold and Beautiful Tree with Edible Flowers
Redbud (Cercis canadensis), is a small species of tree that grows right across the States. It is endemic to the northeast, and the largest populations are found here and in the midwest. However it has slowly spread throughout the states and can now be found as far west as Nevada and California. Due to its […]
Hackberry, Small but very Flavorful Edible Berries
Hackberry (Celtis spp.) is a hardwood deciduous tree that bears tiny red/purple, edible fruits. Two very similar species exist. The northern hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), also kown by a number of other names including, beaverwood, nettletree, American hackberry and simply, common hackberry. And also the southern hackberry (Celtis laevigata), also known as sugarberry. Northern hackberry is […]
Chinquapin, an Uncommon but Flavorful Treat
Chinquapin (Castanea pumila) is a species of tree native to midwest and southeastern states, particularly North and South Carolina and also Georgia. You may also know it by the names, dwarf chestnut, allegheny chinquapin or simply American chinquapin. As its other name suggests, chinquapin is a species of chestnut, bearing small nuts that are rounder […]
Pecan (Hickory), a Highly Nutritious Nut Native to the Midwest
The pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) is a species of hickory, a genus of trees that contains up to 12 species native to the US. As the scientific name suggests, pecans are native to large parts of Illinois and surrounding midwest states. They grow wild throughout the forests and fields of Texas, Missouri and Arkansas, opting […]
Shepherd’s Purse, a Bountiful Potherb with Mild and Peppery Flavor
Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae. Its name has been influenced by the shape of the small edible seedpods, which resemble old coin holders used by medieval shepherds. They are native to eastern Europe, particularly Turkey, and also large parts of western Asia. Due to their popularity as a […]
Wild Mustard, an Abundant Edible with Delicious Spice
Wild Mustard (Sinapis arvensis) is a species of plant that belongs to the broad, mustard family (Brassicaceae). This family contains a huge number of species, exceeding well over 4000, another wild edible included in this family is winter cress. Other notable members include a high number of commercially farmed plants, including broccoli, kale and cabbage. […]
Birch, Extremely Versatile with a Tasty Wintergreen Flavoring
Birch (Betula spp.) refers to a collective genus of deciduous trees and shrubs native to the Northern hemisphere. Their bark and hardwood have been used for centuries by a wide range of cultures, as a versatile building material and also a source of food. The most recognisable feature of a birch will likely be the […]
Winter Cress, Extremely Nutritious and Abundant Leafy Green
Winter Cress (Barbarea spp.) is a collection, or genus, of plants that are part of the mustard family. They are herbaceous, and depending on the species, they can be biennial or perennial. Another popular name for winter cress, is yellow rocket, hinting at its use as a culinary herb. Winter cress species are native to […]
Burdock, Distinctive Flowers and Nutritious Roots
Burdock (Arctium spp.) is a genus of plants originally native to Europe, but now fairly widespread throughout the world. From Australia to North America. Burdock was once widely used as a medicine, and transported to colonised areas from Europe, explaining its spread around the globe. They are fast growing, and considered an invasive weed species […]
Pawpaw, A Re-emerging Wild Fruit Favorite
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a deciduous tree, noted for its sweet, succulent fruits. The trees are native to Eastern and Midwestern states. From Florida, up the coast until southern Canada, and as far west as Nebraska and the heartland of America. Pawpaws are considered the largest fruits native to the US. You’ll find a […]
Milkweed, Vegetable-like Pods and Butterfly Attracting
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is a genus of perennial herbs with edible parts not unlike our typical garden vegetables. They are endemic to North and South America, particularly the eastern and mid west US. They can be found growing on open grasslands, meadows and the edges of roads and hiking trails. Any area with good sun […]
Wild Ginger, Pleasantly Spiced but mild Toxicity
Wild Ginger is a perennial herb that grows within moist and shaded woodland settings with rich soil. Two main species of wild ginger are native to North America, the Asarum canadense and also the Asarum caudatum from the same genus. The A. caudatum species (commonly called western wild ginger) is found prolifically throughout the west […]
Jack in the Pulpit, Edible Only with Care and Caution
Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is a wild edible, perennial plant suited best to foragers with a little more expertise. It is also widely known as Indian turnip, dragon turnip and bog onion. Native to Northeast and Midwest America. You will tend to find them growing in areas of high moisture, like forest lowlands […]
Groundnut, A Versatile and Highly Nutritious Potato Alternative
Groundnut (Apios americana) is a perennial vine plant that produces edible stems, beans and tubers. You may know it by a number of other names, including potato bean or American groundnut. You’ll find them occurring naturally throughout the eastern states, from Florida to parts of Southern Canada. However you will also find them within the […]
Amaranth, Ancient Grains, Nutritious Leaves and Exasperated Farmers
Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) plants are a collection of approximately 75 mostly annual species (several being perennial), with most having edible seeds, shoots, and leaves. They are particularly hardy, herbaceous shrubs, growing well in a variety of conditions. This has resulted in many species being referred to as weeds, especially the varieties known as ‘pigweed’. Seed […]
Maple, Offering More Than Meets The Eye
Maples (Acer spp.) are a collection of trees and shrubs that most of us are greatly familiar with. The largest number of species can be found across Asia, particularly areas of Japan. However a high number of species also grow within the US, Canada, Europe and Northern Africa. They typically grow to a height of […]
4 Poisonous Relatives of Tomatoes and Potatoes
Solanaceae is a family of plants including a wide variety of perennials, annuals, shrubs, and vines. The potato (Solanum tuberosum), eggplant or aubergine (Solanum melongena), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) belong to this family. As a group of plants, it is even often referred to as the ‘potato family’. Other notable members include the notorious deadly […]
Huckleberry, Nutritious Fruits That Deserve the Spotlight Once Again
Huckleberry (Vaccinium and Gaylussacia) are a group of fruiting trees and shrubs that belong to the heather family Ericaceae. The family contains a wide variety of huckleberry species native to each corner of the US. Some members of this family contain other well-known berries. Including cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), and lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), all […]