Houstonia caerulea – Quaker Lady Bluet

Quaker Lady Bluets (Houstonia caerulea) are native edible flowers that can be found blooming April-July.

Quaker ladies can be distinguished from other bluets by the patch of yellow at their center.

Quaker ladies are in the coffee family. They have a taste similar to alfalfa sprouts. An infusion of Quaker lady roots was used by Native Americans to cure bedwetting.

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Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Houstonia caerulea – Quaker Lady Bluet

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