Menispermum canadense – Common Moonseed
Common moonseed (Menispermum canadense) is a perennial native vine that produces clusters of blue-black berries in the fall. It is a toxic look-a-like to grapes. Common moonseed grows in clearings of woodlands. It can be differentiated from grapes by its smooth leaves and lack of tendrils. Berries have a single crescent-shaped seed inside. Grapes have […]
Juglans nigra – Black walnut
Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a native tree that produces edible nuts September-October. They are closely related to cultivated walnuts (Juglans regia). They are commonly found in forest edges and along rivers. Trees receiving more sun will produce more nuts. Black walnuts can be identified by their alternate compound leaves which are made up of […]
Phyllostachys aureosulcata – Yellow groove Bamboo
Yellow groove bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata) is a non-native perennial that can grow up to 30 feet tall and can spread aggressively. It was brought here from China for its use in ornamental landscaping but has become invasive in many areas due to its ability to spread rapidly through underground rhizomes. Yellow groove bamboo can escape […]
Quercus alba – White Oak
White oak (Quercus alba) is a large native tree with leaves with rounded lobes. White oak acorns develop in one season and fall off the tree in autumn. Red oaks develop in two seasons and tend to be more bitter. Acorns are edible, but high in tannins so must be hot or cold leached before […]
Juglans cinerea – Butternut
Butternut (Juglans cinerea) is a native tree with edible nuts. It can be found in rich soil and abandoned fields. Populations in Connecticut are decreasing due to a fungal disease called butternut cancer. Butternut, also known as white walnut, can be identified by its compound leaves with up to 19 toothed leaflets. Nuts are encased […]
Vitis labrusca – Fox Grapes
Fox grapes (Vitis labrusca) are our largest native grape species. They are the ancestor to the Concord grape. Fox grapes can be found in partial to full sun at forest edges, woodland clearings, and along rivers. The vine is often seen climbing up trees and fences. Fox grapes can be identified by their leaves which […]
Althaea officinalis – Marsh mallow
Marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) is the plant that marshmallows came from. It is an introduced perennial that can be found in marshes and wetlands. Marsh mallow can be identified by its velvety leaves and pale flowers with five petals. Flowers become green, wheel-shaped fruits in early fall. The entire plant is edible, but extremely mucilaginous. […]
Lathyrus japonicus – Beach Pea
Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) is a native perennial with edible pods that are similar to cultivated peas. Beach pea can be found along beaches in New England. The beach pea can be identified by its compound leaves and purple flowers that become pods in late summer. Pods are purplish at first, ripening to green. Shoots […]
Salicornia spp. – Glasswort
Glasswort (Salicornia spp.) is a native, edible plant with salty, succulent stems. It can be found in salt marshes and coastal areas. Glasswort, also called samphire or sea bean, can be identified by its cylindrical stems that are greenish in the summer, turning reddish in the fall. The tender tips of the stems can be […]
Pontederia cordata – Pickerelweed
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) is a native perennial that can be found in shallow water such as the edges of ponds. Pickerelweed can be identified by its heart-shaped leaves with rounded lobes. Clusters of lavender flowers shoot up above the leaves from flower stalks. Young leaves are edible raw or cooked. Seeds can be eaten raw, […]
Melilotus albus – White sweet clover
White sweet clover (Melilotus albus) is a non-native plant with edible uses. It can be found in disturbed soil that receives full sun. White sweet clover, also known as melilot, can be identified by its compound leaves divided into three leaflets and clusters of small white flowers. Young leaves can be used in a […]
Brasenia schreberi – Water shield
Water shield (Brasenia schreberi) is a native perennial with edible leaves. Water shield can be found in shallow lakes, ponds, and rivers. It can be identified by oval leaves with a reddish stem attaching to the middle of the leaf. All underwater parts of the plant are coated with jelly-slime. Purple flowers emerge from the […]
Suaeda maritima – Sea blite
Sea blite (Suaeda maritima) is an edible plant that can be found along beaches and salt marshes. The subspecies that grows in CT is considered non-native. Sea blite can be identified by its fleshy, almost cylindrical leaves. It produces pale green flowers late summer-fall. Sea blite is edible raw or cooked. It has a salty […]
Ceanothus americanus – New Jersey Tea
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) is a native shrub whose leaves were used as a caffeine-free tea substitute during the Revolutionary War. New Jersey tea can be found in dry soil with full sun. New Jersey tea can be identified by its alternate, finely toothed leaves that have three prominent veins. Older stems are reddish-brown. […]
Sagittaria latifolia – Wapato
Wapato (Sagittaria latifolia) is a native perennial with edible tubers. Wapato, also known as “katniss” and “arrowhead”, can be found in or at the edge of water. It grows in river edges, marshes, ponds, and lakes. Wapato has arrow-shaped leaves with pointed lobes. It produces flowers in the summer which have three white petals and […]
Euthamia graminifolia – Grass-leaved Goldenrod
Grass-leaved goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia) is a native perennial with edible and medicinal uses. The plant can be identified by its narrow, grass-like leaves and small yellow flowers. Leaves and flowers can be used fresh or dried to make a tea. Drinking the tea has been used to treat infections and chest pains.
Sonchus arvensis – Perennial Sow Thistle
Perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis) is an introduced edible dandelion look-a-like. It can be found in sunny areas such as gardens, fields, and waste places. Perennial sow thistle has a dandelion-like flower, but unlike dandelion, there will be multiple flowers per stalk. Flowering stalks will be densely hairy. The hollow stem will produce a milky […]
Atriplex prostrata – Triangle Orache
Triangle orache (Atriplex prostrata) is an edible plant that can be found along the coast and in salty soil. Saltbush/orache (Atriplex spp.) is a group of 200+ species. No Atriplex species are toxic, but not all are palatable. Triangle orache can be identified by its spear-shaped leaves with toothed edges and a white bloom. It […]
Morus rubra – Red Mulberry
Red mulberry (Morus rubra) is a rare, native tree with edible berries. Red mulberries can be planted in partial to full sun or found in hardwood forests or valleys. Red mulberry trees produce alternate heart-shaped leaves that are sometimes lobed in younger plants. The tree has a fast growth rate. Native red mulberries can […]
Pycnanthemum virginianum – Virginia Mountain Mint
Virginia mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) is a native edible perrenial in the mint family. It can be found or planted in sunny areas such as meadows and fields. The plant can be identified by its narrow leaves and purple spotted flowers. Only a few flowers per cluster bloom at a time. Leaves and flowers have […]