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, […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Viburnum lantanoides – Hobblebush
Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides) is a native shrub with edible berries. It can be found in rich, moist woodlands. The plant is very shade tolerant. Hobblebush grows particularly well along the Adirondacks where it can form dense patches. The plant produces clusters of flat-topped white flowers in the spring. Flowers become red berries that eventually ripen […]
Monarda didyma – Bee Balm
‘Raspberry wine’ bee balm (Monarda ‘Raspberry wine’) is a bee balm cultivar of the native Monarda didyma. Bee balm is named for the ability of its resin to sooth the pain from bee stings. It is a perennial with a history of edible and medicinal uses. Bee balm can be found in partial shade to […]
Rubus odoratus – Purple-flowering Raspberry
Purple-flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus) is a native perennial with edible berries. The purple-flowering raspberry is found at the edge of trails. It can grow in sun to part shade. The plant has maple-like leaves and purple rose-like flowers. Canes are thornless, unlike other raspberry species. Flowers appear June-August. Flowers become red raspberries in mid-late summer. […]
Asclepias syriaca – Common Milkweed
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a native perennial with multiple edible parts. Common milkweed can be found in meadows and fields which receive full sun. Leaves are opposite and oval-shaped with smooth edges. The stem is round and slightly fuzzy. It produces sap when broken. The pink flowers have five petals arranged in a […]
Panax trifolius – Dwarf Ginseng
Dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolius) is a native spring ephemeral. Dwarf ginseng, also known as “groundnut”, can be found in moist areas along forested creeks. It can form dense colonies in ideal conditions. Dwarf ginseng has three leaves that are arranged in the shape of a triangle. Each leaf is made up of three or […]
Phytolacca americana – Pokeweed
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a native perennial that is a traditional food of Native Americans and Southerners. Pokeweed can be found in fields, roadsides, and forest edges. It prefers disturbed soil in partial shade to full sun. Pokeweed starts to send up shoots in mid-spring. Shoots should only be harvested when they have tender, […]
Cardamine concatenata – Cut-leaf Toothwort
Cut-leaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) is a native, edible ephemeral in the mustard family. Cut-leaf toothwort can be found in hardwood forests with rich soil. They are often found growing near other spring ephemerals such as Virginia Spring beauty and trout lily. They can form dense colonies from their tubers. Cut-leaf toothwort has three deeply […]
Allium tricoccum – Ramps
Ramps (Allium tricoccum) are a native species of onion that can be found late March- early May in CT. Ramps can be found in woodlands with rich, moist, well-drained soil. They usually grow under trees but get full sun since the leaves are not yet out. Ramps have 1-3 leaves that attach to a white […]
Viola sororia – Common Violets
Common Violets (Viola sororia) are a native perennial that produce one of the first spring flowers. Common violets prefer moist soil with partial shade. They are often found under deciduous trees. Common violets have heart-shaped leaves with small, pointed teeth at the leaf margins. Flowers have five petals that are usually purple with some […]