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 […]
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. […]
Setaria faberi – Giant millet
Giant Millet (Setaria faberi) is an introduced plant from Asia that can be used as a grain. It is an annual that sets seed late summer- fall. Giant millet is a common weed of corn fields. It prefers full sun and compact soil that is high in nitrogen. Giant millet, also known as “Chinese foxtail”, […]
Malva neglecta – Common Mallow
Common Mallow (Malva neglecta) is a non-native plant that is edible from root to tip. It can be found in disturbed areas that receive sun. Mallow leaves are ruffled and hairy. Flowers are lavender-colored and have five petals. The fruits look like miniature, flattened wheels of cheese. Mallow leaves, fruits, flowers, and taproots are edible. […]
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 […]
Portulaca oleracea – Purslane
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a non-native annual succulent with edible and medicinal uses. Purslane can be found in disturbed areas such as gardens and yards. Purslane grows from a central taproot and stays low to the ground. Stems are thick and succulent. They can be reddish or green. Leaves are alternate and spatula shaped. Flowers […]
Lysimachia nummularia – Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is an invasive plant with medicinal uses. It can be found in damp pastures and along sunny streams. Creeping Jenny, also known as moneywort, has opposite, rounded leaves that resemble coins. Flowers are bright yellow, and cup shaped. Flowers can be eaten raw. They have a taste reminiscent of cilantro. Creeping […]
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 […]
Lonicera japonica – Japanese Honeysuckle
Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is an invasive vine. It has no predators in New England, which allows it to proliferate. The plant has edible and medicinal uses, as well as toxic parts. Japanese honeysuckle can be found in woodland clearings, meadows, and fences. Young vines are fuzzy. Older vines turn woody and brown. The […]
Trifolium pratense – Red Clover
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is an introduced perennial legume. Red clover can be found in lawns and meadows with partial to full sun. It can grow in low nitrogen and poorly drained soil. Being a legume, it can fix nitrogen in the soil for use by other plants. Red clover leaves consist of three […]
Wisteria spp. – Wisteria
Wisteria (Wisteria spp.) is a genus of flowering vines in the legume family. There are both native (American wisteria) and invasive (Chinese and Japanese wisteria) species of wisteria that can be found in CT. All wisteria flowers are edible and can be used interchangeably in recipes. Wisteria can be found in areas that receive […]