Amaranthus retroflexus – Common Amaranth
Common amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) is a native annual with edible leaves, stems, and seeds. It can be found in farms and gardens where it is usually considered a weed. The plant prefers full sun and disturbed soil. Common amaranth has reddish stems, leaves with wavy edges, green flowers, and black seeds. Leaves are best harvested […]
Polyporus umbellatus – Umbrella polypore
The umbrella polypore (Polyporus umbellatus) is a rare, choice edible mushroom. It can be found at the base of hardwood trees, acting as a weak parasite or a saprobe. They fruit spring-fall. The mushroom can be found at the same spot year after year. The mushroom is composed of umbrella-shaped caps that emerge from a […]
Cantharellus spp. – Golden Chanterelle
The Golden chanterelle (Cantharellus spp.) is a choice edible summer mushroom. There are multiple species of golden chanterelles in the northeast that can be difficult to distinguish without DNA sequencing. The golden chanterelle can be found June-September. It prefers heat and humidity. Look for the mushroom a few days after heavy rains. The golden chanterelle […]
Boletus edulis clade – King Bolete
King bolete (Boletus edulis clade) is a group of mushrooms that are the most prized of the bolete mushrooms. King boletes, also known as porcini or penny bun, can grow summer-fall, 1-2 days after a heavy rain. They form mycorrhizal associations with a variety of tree species including pine, spruce, oak, and beech. King boletes […]
Amanita chrysoblema – American Fly Agaric
The American Fly Agaric, yellow-orange variant (Amanita chrysoblema) is toxic, psychoactive, or edible depending on preparation. It fruits often in the fall and occasionally in the spring. This species was previously called Amanita muscaria var. guessowii. The American fly agaric is often found growing mycorrhizally with conifers but can also associate with deciduous trees. […]
Suillus weaverae – Butterball Bolete
The butterball bolete (Suillus weaverae) is an edible mushroom that fruits summer-fall. It is often one of the first boletes to fruit. The mushroom has an orange-brown, slippery cap and small glandular dots on the stem. The cap may develop a patchwork pattern as it ages. The pore surface is white at first, becoming yellow […]
Lactarius tabidus – Birch Milkcap
The Birch milkcap (Lactarius tabidus) is an inedible milkcap that fruits occasionally in the spring and more often in the fall next to birch trees. The birch milkcap can be identified by its orange-brown cap that is raised at its center. When the gills are damaged, they produce white latex that turns yellow. The stem […]
Robinia pseudoacacia – Black Locust
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is an invasive tree in the legume family with edible components. Black locust trees were thought to have originated in southern Appalachian and Ozark mountains and have since spread. Black locust trees can be found in disturbed areas, roadsides, and fields. It spreads by root suckers to form clones. It […]
Melissa officinalis – Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an edible, non-native perennial in the mint family. It can be found in fields and meadows. The plant can escape cultivation and grow rapidly. Lemon balm can be identified by its square stems, opposite leaves, and lemony scent. It could be confused for other mints, but no plants in the […]
Sedum sarmentosum – Stringy stonecrop
Stringy stonecrop (Sedum sarmentosum) is an introduced perennial with edible leaves. It can be found in sunny areas with sandy soil. The plant can spread quickly, forming a mat on the ground. The fleshy leaves are arranged in whorls of three. Yellow star-shaped flowers are produced in the summer. The plant is edible raw or […]
Solidago rugosa – Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod
Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) is a native perennial with edible and medicinal uses. There are over 75 species of goldenrod (Solidago spp.) in the United States. All above ground parts of goldenrods are edible, but taste varies depending on species. Goldenrods can be found in areas with well-drained soil and full sun. Wrinkleleaf goldenrod […]
Cercis canadensis – Eastern Redbud
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a tree native to southwestern CT that produces edible flowers in mid-spring. Eastern redbud can be found in mixed woodlands or cultivated areas. Pink flowers appear in spring before the leaves emerge. Leaves are alternate and heart shaped. Flowers become pods in later spring. Redbud blossoms taste like sweet peas […]
Picea glauca – White Spruce
White spruce (Picea glauca) is a native evergreen that produces edible needles and cones. White spruce can be found in sunny areas with rich, well-drained soil. All spruce trees are non-toxic. Spruces are identified by their needles that are sharp and have four sides. Each needle is individually attached to the branch. Needles attach […]
Plantago rugelii – Blackseed Plantain
Blackseed plantain (Plantago rugelii) is a native perennial with edible and medicinal uses. Blackseed plantain can be found in areas with compacted soil such as hiking trails. Blackseed plantain can be identified by its hairless leaves with distinct veins. The petiole is often reddish. The plant produces elongated seed capsules. Young leaves can be chopped […]
Artemisia annua – Sweet wormwood
Sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) is a medicinal annual that has naturalized in parts of North America. Sweet wormwood can be found in disturbed areas with rocky soil. The plant can be identified by its silvery-green leaves with a feathery appearance. It produces small yellow-green flowers in late summer. The leaves have a strong aromatic scent […]
Humulus lupulus – Common Hops
Common Hops (Humulus lupulus) are most known for their use in beer making, but they also produce edible shoots this time of year. Common hops are native to North America, but there are also varieties that are non-native. Hops can be found along forest edges, fences, and rivers. They prefer partial to full sun. Hops […]
Ulmus pumila – Siberian Elm
Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila) is an invasive tree with edible samaras (seeds) that appear mid-spring. Siberian elm can be found in sunny areas such as fields and waste places. Siberian elm can be identified by its furrowed bark and alternate leaves that are elliptical in shape with toothed edges. Leaves have an uneven leaf base. […]
Caltha palustris – Marsh marigold
Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) is a native perennial wildflower in the buttercup family. It can be found blooming April-May in marshy places. Marsh marigold, also known as American cowslip, has hollow stems, heart-shaped leaves, and five-petaled bright yellow flowers. The raw plant contains poisonous glucosides, which are dispelled with boiling. Leaves should be boiled in […]
Nasturtium officinale – Watercress
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is an edible perennial in the mustard family that can be found throughout the United States. It was brought over from Europe and has since become invasive. Watercress can be found in streams with water 1-6 inches deep. It is imperative to ensure the water is not polluted and the stream is […]
Symplocarpus foetidus – Skunk Cabbage
Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is one of the first plants to appear in early spring. It is found in swamps and marshlands. Skunk cabbage starts off as a greenish or reddish leathery bract that holds circular flowers. Tightly coiled leaves appear in a week or two. Cutting or bruising the leaves cause a skunky smell. […]