Echinacea purpurea – Purple Coneflower

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a native plant with edible and medicinal uses. It can be found in meadows and open woodlands with partial to full sun. The plant can be easily identified by its daisy-like flowers with purple petals. Leaves are narrow and toothed. When mature, the plant can reach up to 2 feet […]

Laccaria ochropurpurea – Purple Laccaria

Purple laccaria (Laccaria ochropurpurea) is an edible mushroom that fruits late summer-fall. It can be found in association with hardwood trees, particularly oak and beech, or white pine. Purple laccaria has a cream to violet-gray colored cap. The cap is convex at first, flattening with age. The gills are purple, lightening with age. The fibrous […]

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 […]