Mock Strawberry – Potentilla Indica: Edible & Medicinal Uses of a Bland Strawberry Lookalike

Mock Strawberry – Potentilla Indica

There are a couple strawberry look-a-likes that aren’t the real thing. Many of them are called “barren” strawberry. Then there’s our title mock strawberry (Potentilla indica syn. Duchesnea indica). This mock strawberry is actually a cinquefoil species. It’s not listed in Haliburton Flora, but it can be found in Ontario and especially southern Ontario. These …

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Poke – Phytolacca Americana: Edible & Medicinal Uses of America’s Favourite Poisonous Plant

Poke - Phytolacca Americana

Poke (Phytolacca americana) isn’t found in Haliburton, Ontario, but it can be found to our south. It is very common the further south you go in North America. I’ve covered many plants in my immediate area and will continue to do so, but I’m also expanding our content to farther reaches of Ontario and eventually …

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Eastern Redbud – Cercis Canadensis: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Prettiest Understory Tree

Eastern Redbud – Cercis Canadensis

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) isn’t in the wilds of Haliburton, Ontario. There is one recorded on iNat in Dysart et al, but I can guarantee it was planted there. It’s only truly native to Pelee island as far as Ontario goes and according to Vascan the species is extirpated. A few hundred miles south and …

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Northern Maidenhair Fern – Adiantum Pedatum: Medicinal & Alternative Uses of the Prettiest Fern

Northern Maidenhair Fern – Adiantum Pedatum

Northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) is the only maidenhair fern in Ontario, Canada. You’ll find it in deciduous or mixed woods in leaf covered hummus. I find it deep in woods that humans haven’t touched too much. It’s a good sign of that (humans not disturbing an area much) when you see it in the …

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Polypody Ferns – Polypodium SPP.: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Rock Fern

Polypody Ferns – Polypodium SPP.

The polypody ferns (Polypodium spp.) used to include maidenhair (next month’s feature plant), lady fern and wood ferns amoung other ferns. But the family has been narrowed down to 31 polypody species presently (2024). Rock polypody (Polypodium virginianum) is the most prevalent in Ontario, Canada by far. It’s common on rocky banks and rocky outcrops …

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Rose Twisted-stalk – Streptopus Lanceolatus: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Zigzagging Plant

Rose Twisted-stalk – Streptopus Lanceolatus

Rose twisted-stalk (Streptopus lanceolatus formerly S. roseus) is common around Haliburton county, Ontario. It prefers moist woods and partly shaded grassy banks. I tend to find it hiding in shady forest edges. It’s easy to miss the flowers, which hang underneath the leaves. But when you look close, its flowers are some of the prettiest …

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