Solidago spp. – Goldenrod
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) is a group of 75+ species in the United States. Goldenrod gets a bad reputation for causing allergies, but it is insect pollinated so the pollen is not in the air. Goldenrod just happens to flower at the same time as the more conspicuous ragweed which many people are allergic to. Goldenrod […]
Rumex obtusifolius – Broad-leaved dock
Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is a non-native perennial that is related to buckwheat. It can be found in lawns, fields, and disturbed grounds. Broad-leaved dock is named after its broad, oval leaves. The plant produces small green flowers that grow in clusters at the top of the plant. These become brown, papery seeds in late […]
Monarda fistulosa – Wild Bergamot
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a native edible plant in the mint family. It can be found blooming in sunny areas in mid to late summer. Wild Bergamot has square stems with opposite, toothed leaves. The leaves produce an oregano-like aroma when crushed due to their thymol content. Wild Bergamot leaves, stems, and flowers are […]
Eutrochium spp. – Joe-Pye weed
Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.) is a native plant that has been used medicinally for centuries. There are five different Joe-pye weed (Eutrochium) species present in North America. They often hybridize so can be difficult to differentiate. Joe-pye weeds have pink-purple flowers that are present summer-fall. The stem is tall, erect, and has leaves arranged around […]
Daucus carota – Wild Carrot
Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) is an edible plant that was introduced here from Europe. Wild carrot, also known as Queen Anne’s Lace, is the same exact species as our cultivated carrot. Wild carrot can be found in sunny fields, disturbed soils, and parks. Wild carrot has finely divided, feathery leaves similar to our cultivated carrot. […]
Aralia nudicaulis – Wild sarsaparilla
Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) is a common, native plant in the ginseng family. It can be found in forests in southern New England. Wild sarsaparilla has erect stems that divide into a whorl of 3 stems, which each form 3-7 leaflets. The leaflets are bronze in the spring, green in the summer, and yellow/red in […]
Prunus serotina – Wild Black Cherries
Wild Black Cherries (Prunus serotina) are a native plant that can be found in full sun. They grow up to 100 feet tall. Young Black cherry trees have light gray bark with horizontal lenticels. As the tree ages, the bark becomes ridged or pleated. The ovate leaves are alternate and have small teeth. Snapping a […]
Flammulina velutipes – Enoki
Enoki (Flammulina velutipes) are a difficult-to-identify edible mushrooms that can be found growing in the colder months of the year. Enoki, also known as Velvet Foot, can be found growing on dead, often standing hardwoods, especially elms, poplars, and willows. They fruit from October to May. Enoki can be foraged all winter long as they […]
Pleurotus ostreatus – Winter Oysters
The Winter oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is the most commonly cultivated mushroom, but is also commonly found in the wild. Winter oysters, or Pearl oysters, can be identified by their tan cap, stubby off-center stem, and decurrent gills. Winter oysters tend to have a darker cap and grow larger than the summer oyster species (Pleurotus […]
Hydnum spp. – Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs (Hydnum spp.) are a group of 49 mushrooms in the Hydnum genus that are all considered edible. Hedgehogs can be found in New England from July-November. Hedgehogs are easily identified by their orange color and teeth under their cap. Hedgehogs can be found growing in groups in moss and leaf litter. They grow symbiotically […]
Fomitopsis betulina – Birch Polypore
The Birch Polypore (Fomitopsis betulina) is a medicinal mushroom that has been used for thousands of years. The birch polypore was found on Otzi the iceman, whose body was found in the Italian alps from 5,000 years ago. It is thought that Otzi was using the mushroom to treat the intestinal parasites that he had. […]
Ischnoderma resinosum – Resinous Polypore
The Resinous polypore (Ischnoderma resinosum) is a saprobic fungus that can be found on fallen hardwoods from September until the first hard frost. The resinous polypore is thick and fleshy when young with a pale brown cap and thick white margins. The mushroom toughens and the cap becomes a darker brown with age. The cap […]
Entoloma abortivum – Shrimp of the Woods
Shrimp of the Woods (Entoloma abortivum) is a unique looking mushroom that develops when an Entoloma fungus parasitizes a honey mushroom (Armillaria sp.). Shrimp of the woods can be found from September-November in decaying forest material. Shrimp of the woods have a folded, twisted, brain-like shape with a pink interior. They have no gills. The […]
Hypholoma lateritium – Brick Caps
Brick Caps (Hypholoma lateritium) are edible mushrooms that can be found on hardwood stumps and deadwood from August-November. They can be found throughout the United States but are most common in the Northeast. Brick caps grow in bouquet-like, dense, tight clusters. The cap has a brick red color in the center, fading to a lighter […]
Ganoderma applanatum – Artist’s Conk
Artist’s Conk (Ganoderma applanatum) is a common mushroom that can be found worldwide. It can be found on living and dead trees, primarily hardwoods. Artist’s conk is both a parasitic and saprobic fungus. It is particularly known to decompose beech and poplar trees. Artist’s conks are perennial mushrooms that can grow up to 2 feet […]
Fomes fomentarius – Hoof Fungus
Hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius) is one of the two mushrooms that was found with Otzi the iceman who lived 5,000 years ago in the Italian alps. Hoof fungus, also known as Tinder fungus, can be found growing on living and dead birch, beech, and sycamore trees. It is a perennial fungus, first emerging in the […]
Armillaria gallica – Bulbous Honey Mushroom
The Bulbous Honey Mushroom (Armillaria gallica) is a parasitic and saprobic mushroom that can be found July-November. Honey mushrooms will always be growing on wood, although sometimes the wood is buried. The mushrooms grow in clusters. Cap color varies from yellow to brown. Armillaria gallica tends to have more of a brown cap color, while […]
Clitocybe nuda – Wood Blewits
Wood Blewits (Clitocybe nuda) are edible mushrooms that can be found in compost heaps, wood chips, and leaf litter after heavy rains. The mushrooms can fruit multiple times per season from fall to early winter. Wood Blewits have suede-like caps that are purple when the mushroom is young, turning tan then white as it ages. […]
Pleurotus pulmonarius – Italian Oyster Mushrooms
Italian oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus pulmonarius) are edible oyster mushrooms that grow in New England from summer-fall. These mushrooms tend to be smaller and whiter than the Pearl Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) which prefers cooler weather. Oyster mushrooms are among the most cultivated and consumed edible mushrooms in the world. Oyster mushrooms are identified by their […]
Trametes betulina – Gilled Polypore
The Gilled Polypore (Trametes betulina) is a turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) look-alike with medicinal properties. The gilled polypore, also known as birch mazegill, is a unique polypore since it has gill-like ridges under its cap. The gilled polypore is a saprobic fungus which is most often found on decaying hardwood, although it can be occasionally […]