Sassafras albidum – Sassafras
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a common native tree in CT. Sassafras can be identified by having three distinct leaf patterns (one, two, and three lobed leaves). Sassafras leaves have a citrusy smell when crushed. Young sassafras leaves are edible raw. They have a mucilaginous texture and slightly lemony taste. Sassafras leaves are dried and ground […]
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium – Narrowleaf Mountain Mint
Narrowleaf Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) is a native, edible plant in the mint family. It can be identified by its slender leaves and minty aroma when crushed. The leaves and flowers are edible raw or cooked. The leaves are often dried for use in teas. Crushed leaves can also be used for insect repellent.
Sambucus racemosa – Red Elderberry
Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) is a native plant found in moist areas with partial to full sun. Red elderberries can be identified by their opposite leaves divided into 5-7 leaflets. The red fruit ripens July-August. Red elderberry stems, bark, leaves, and roots contain cyanide-producing toxins. Red elderberry seeds are also poisonous. Raw fruits may cause […]
Caulophyllum thalictroides – Blue Cohosh
Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) is a native plant that was traditionally used to induce labor. Blue cohosh grows best in mixed hardwoods. It can be identified by its blueish green lobed leaves. Blue cohosh is a non-aggressive plant that is at risk for over-harvesting. Thoroughly roasted seeds of the blue cohosh berry have been […]
Coprinellus micaceus – Mica caps
Mica caps (Coprinellus micaceus) are a common saprobic mushroom found growing in clusters on wood debris and stumps. Mica caps fruit spring to autumn throughout North America and Europe. They can be identified by their brown caps which are coated with mica-like granules. The caps become inky when they start to release spores. Mica caps […]
Impatiens capensis – Jewelweed
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), also known as Spotted touch-me-not, has an incredible ability to eliminate itching from poison ivy and bug bites. Jewelweed is a self-seeding annual that is one of the few native plants that can successfully compete with garlic mustard. Jewelweed can be found near water, often forming dense stands at the edges of […]
Cicuta spp. – Water Hemlock
Water hemlock (Cicuta spp.) is the most toxic plant in North America. Water hemlock contains cicutoxin which acts on the central nervous system causing seizures and often death. All parts of the plant are toxic, although the roots contain the highest levels of cicutoxin. Treatment for water hemlock poisoning includes activated charcoal and anticonvulsant medications. […]
Cantharellus lateritius – Smooth Chanterelles
Smooth Chanterelles (Cantharellus lateritius) are a type of chanterelle that sometimes lacks the wrinkles, or false gills, under its cap. Chanterelles are a summer mushroom that can be found after consistent rains and humid weather. Chanterelles grow in soil, often near water and along walking paths. The mushroom uniquely has the same color across the […]
Monotropa uniflora – Ghost Pipe
The Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) is a native plant that lacks chlorophyll. Rather than using photosynthesis, ghost pipes get their nutrients from a fungus in the Russulaceae family, which is getting its nutrients from trees. Each ghost pipe plant blooms for only 1 week annually. It can be found blooming sometime between late June and […]
Amphicarpaea bracteata – American hog-peanut
American hog-peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata) is a native plant in the pea (Fabaceae) family. Hog peanuts can be identified by their alternate, trifoliate leaves which are attached to a thin stem. Hog peanuts produce 2 different types of flowers and seeds. The plant produces pea-like flowers in late summer. These flowers are followed by pods […]
Corylus cornuta – Beaked Hazelnut
Beaked Hazelnuts (Corylus cornuta) are native nuts that grow from deciduous shrubs or small trees. Hazelnuts can be found in sunny areas with loamy soil (soil composed of sand, silt, and clay). The trees require a lot of sun and moisture to produce nuts. Beaked hazelnut trees can be identified by their alternate, slightly heart-shaped […]
Pastinaca sativa – Wild Parsnip
Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is the same species as cultivated garden parsnip. It is a non-native plant that was brought here from Europe as a crop. Wild parsnip can be found in backyards, field edges, and disturbed areas that receive plenty of sun. Wild parsnip can be identified by its celery-like leaves, deeply grooved main […]
Cantherellus cinnabarinus – Cinnabar Chanterelles
Cinnabar chanterelles (Cantherellus cinnabarinus) are a common choice edible mushroom that can be found in the summer months in New England. Cinnabar chanterelles can be identified by their uniform reddish-orange color, vase shape, and forked ridges under the cap that run down the stem. Cinnabar chanterelles have a firm texture, somewhat like string cheese. They […]
Rubus phoenicolasius – Wineberries
Wineberries (Rubus phoenicolasius) are an invasive type of raspberry from Japan. They were brought here for their potential in breeding hybrid raspberries. Wineberries can be identified by their purplish-red stems with hairy bristles and bright orangish-red berries. Wineberry leaves are rounder than raspberry leaves. The immature fruits are covered by a reddish hairy calyx which […]
Boletus separans – Lilac Bolete
The Lilac Bolete (Boletus separans) is a choice edible mushroom related to the King Bolete (Boletus edulis). Lilac boletes can be found in eastern North America from July-September. They have a mycorrhizal relationship with hardwood trees, especially red oaks. Lilac boletes can be identified by their purplish stalk with white reticulation (netting). Cap color varies […]
Vaccinium angustifolium – Common Lowbush Blueberries
Common Lowbush Blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) ripen July-August in Connecticut. Blueberries are native to New England. There are 9 species of blueberries that grow in New England, 4 of which only grow in Northern New England at higher elevations and 1 of which only grows in coastal wetlands. Common Lowbush Blueberries can be found in […]
Gyroporus castaneus – Chestnut Bolete
The Chestnut Bolete (Gyroporus castaneus) is an edible mushroom that can be found fruiting summer to fall. The chestnut bolete can be found in Europe and eastern North America. It grows singly or in small groups near hardwood trees, often oak and sweet chestnut. It is unclear if the mushroom has a mycorrhizal or saprobic […]
Russula parvovirescens – Quilted Green Russula
The Quilted Green Russula (Russula parvovirescens) is an edible mushroom that can be found in the Eastern United States. It was separated from the Russula virescens species in 2006. Quilted Green Russulas are found most abundantly July-August in forested areas. They are mycorrhizal with hardwood trees and occasionally conifers. It’s most commonly associated with oak […]
Juniperus virginiana – Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a native tree that produces edible seed cones, also known as “juniper berries”. Eastern red cedars produce two types of needles. The young needles are short and sharp. The older needles are scale-like. The seed cones, or “berries”, take three years to mature. They are ready to harvest when […]
Berberis thunbergii – Japanese Barberry
Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is an invasive plant with edible and medicinal berries that persist through the winter. Japanese barberries can be found in forest clearings and overgrown fields. In the spring, the plant produces edible small leaves that are accompanied by a single spine. The plant has yellow flowers in the spring which become […]