Solidago sempervirens – Seaside goldenrod
Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) is a native perennial that can be found along the coast. It prefers full sun and sandy soils. Seaside goldenrod has waxy, somewhat succulent leaves. It produces yellow flowers in a pyramid shape from August-October. Seaside goldenrod produces larger flowers than other goldenrod species. Flowers are edible. They have a floral […]
Celastrus orbiculatus – Oriental bittersweet
Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is an invasive and toxic vine. It can be found climbing up autumn olive shrubs and confuse people for autumn olive berries. The plant was brought to the U.S. for ornamental use but has escaped cultivation and chokes out native plants. Oriental bittersweet is a perennial vine with alternate toothed leaves. […]
Elaeagnus umbellata – Autumn olive
Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is an invasive shrub/small tree that produces nutritious and delicious berries in the fall. Autumn olive can be found in areas with full sun and poor soil. They are nitrogen fixers so can grow in almost any environment. The plant has leaves with silvery, speckled undersides. It produces small creamy yellow […]
Galium mollugo – Hedge bedstraw
Hedge bedstraw (Galium mollugo) is a non-native perennial with edible uses. Hedge bedstraw can be found in fields and farms. Hedge bedstraw can be identified by its smooth stems and leaves that are in whorls of 6-8. Small white flowers are produced in the summer. The young shoots or top few inches of older stems […]
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae – New England Aster
New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is a native perennial with late blooming flowers. New England aster can be found in open, sunny areas such as meadows and fields. New England aster is easiest to identify in the fall when it produces pale lavender to purple flowers with yellow centers. Stems and leaves have a […]
Helianthus tuberosus – Sunchoke
Sunchoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is a native perennial sunflower with edible tubers. Sunchoke, also known as Jerusalem artichoke, can be found in river floodplains and meadows with partial to full sun. Sunchokes grow up to 12 feet tall. Leaves and stems have a tough texture. Flowers have 10-20 petals and bloom August-September. Tubers are reddish to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]