American Sweetgum – Liquidambar Styraciflua: Edible & Medicinal Uses for the Gum Tree

American Sweetgum - Liquidambar Styraciflua

American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is not listed in Haliburton Flora nor in VASCAN, but has been planted as an ornamental tree in southern Ontario. You may find it in some yards on your southern travels. It looks like some strange dainty leaved maple. But its closest native relation is witch hazel. Edible Uses of American …

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Coriander – Coriandrum Sativum: Edible & Medicinal Uses of Cilantro (Yes, Coriander and Cilantro Are the Same Plant!)

Coriander - Coriandrum Sativum

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is not listed in Haliburton Flora, nor in many foraging books. But it is seedy and can escape cultivation. Plus, you may have it amongst your kitchen spices. Edible Uses of Coriander Hereabouts, dried coriander seed is a popular kitchen spice. It flavours many curries, meat dishes, breads and even liquor. The …

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Red Maple – Acer Rubrum: Edible & Medicinal Uses for a Surprisingly Important Spring Flower

Red Maple - Acer Rubrum

Red maple (Acer rubrum) is not just an icon on the Canadian flag. Its spring flowers are rich in nectar and sought by bees very early in spring when there are less resources. Willow is another very early bloomer. These trees and shrubs are vital for bees and other pollinators, despite the PR being stronger …

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Common Grape Hyacinth – Muscari Botryoides: Edible & Alternative Uses for That Trendy Purple Drink Plant

Common Grape Hyacinth - Muscari Botryoides

Grape hyacinth (Muscari botryoides) isn’t listed in Haliburton Flora, and the first time I saw it in the area it was just the flowerhead on the side of the road, no sign of whence it came. A bird must have grabbed it and dropped it far away? It’s not native to Ontario, and in some …

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Nannyberry – Viburnum Lentago: Edible & Medicinal Uses of a Black Haw Cousin

Nannyberry - Viburnum Lentago

Around Haliburton, nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is one of our uncommon bush cranberries. It may be found on wet banks, river edges, or in wet meadows. It’s on the taller side as bush cranberries go. In appearance and usage, it’s much like black haw, which grows just to our south in the States. It’s also similar …

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Common Hackberry – Celtis Occidentalis: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Wartiest Tree

Common Hackberry - Celtis Occidentalis

Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) isn’t listed in Haliburton Flora, but this rapidly growing Ontario native can be found in the south. The bark, especially characteristic on younger trees, is unique: This plant is in the same family as hops and cannabis. While I’m writing this I noticed a thread in my native plants group asking …

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