Inonotus obliquus – Chaga
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a medicinal mycelial mass that can be found growing on birch trees. Chaga is a parasite that infects scarred birch trees and will kill the tree within 80 years. It can be found growing in colder regions throughout the world. It is thought to be best harvested in the winter when […]
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. […]
Betula lenta – Black Birch
Black Birch (Betula lenta) is a native tree with edible sap and cambium (inner bark). Young leaves and trigs can also be eaten or used for flavoring. Black birch has shiny bark with horizontal lenticels (raised pores). Broken twigs have a wintergreen scent from the methyl salicylate in the tree. Twigs can be used […]