Common junipers (Juniperus communis) “berries” aren’t as sweet as they appear. But common juniper is still an edible and medicinal plant, especially popular in Northern Europe. In Haliburton, Ontario, you’ll find J. communis var. depressa Pursh. It’s been fairly common around here, especially dotting open fields. With our forest taking back the land that was cleared it … [Read more…]
Another escapee from settler cultivation around here, comfrey is an historically renown and presently semi-controversial edible and medicinal plant. Around Haliburton, we have both common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and the blue flowered wild sort (now classified as Andersonglossum boreale). The proper one of the title name has creamy yellow flowers. The pictured purple flowered I … [Read more…]
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) is a sunny medicinal and edible wild plant. In the past, it was falsely blamed for hayfever allergies, which are actually caused by ragweed. As a medicinal plant, goldenrod can actually be used to treat allergies! Latin solidare means to join or make whole, and when you come upon the medicinal tags … [Read more…]
While most folks know sunflower (Helianthus spp.) is edible, did you know it’s a medicinal plant as well? Sunflower is another garden escapee around Haliburton, Ontario, or a bird feeder escapee. Native woodland sunflower (Helianthus stumosus) is a rarity in our area. The header image is an nonnative ashy sunflower, a picture I took in … [Read more…]
Willow (Salix spp.) is an edible, mostly medicinal and heavily utilized plant. Its powerful component salicin was synthesized to make the well known OTC medicine Aspirin. “Sal lis” means “near water”. And our many Haliburton waters are surrounded by salix species! The marshes I visit for birding and herping are filled with a wide variety … [Read more…]
There may not be a traditional word for wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) because this plant is an invasive settler introduced plant. Edible and medicinal carrot/parsley family plants are notorious on the internet. Their relation giant hogweed is especially villainized. My library of herbal books tends to focus on cow parsnip, and even then, these parsnip … [Read more…]