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 …
We’ve covered almost every native cherry in Ontario and this fire cherry, also called bird cherry for one, is no exception to the fact cherries are fantastic for birds and other wildlife. And not just jam! Pin cherry / Fire cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) was common along roadsides, woodland slopes, lake banks, and stream banks in …
Common blackberry syn. Allegheny blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) is a cordial wild edible and medicinal bramble. It’s distinguishable from black raspberries by having a core instead of being hollow inside when harvested (second picture down this page). There are around 50 species of black and raspberries in North America and up here in the north, aren’t we …
Wild red raspberry syn. American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus var. strigosus) is one of hundreds of wild edible and medicinal brambles. Its fruit is not a true berry, but a cluster of drupelets. So, yeah, bananas are berries and raspberries are not. Around Haliburton you’ll also find purple-flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus), which will be covered …
Beech (Fagus grandifolia) is considered by some to be the oldest tree name in the world! It’s also an antique edible and old school medicinal plant. The beechnut tree scarcely grows fruit before it’s 40, 50 years old and produces more with age. Even then, good seed crops won’t happen every year. They tend to …
Red oak (Quercus rubra) is an edible and medicinal tree we’re lucky to have even if just admiring it’s deep red foliage in the autumn. Carrying a piece of oak is said to bring good luck. And it’s a lucky tree to have around for many wild ones. It’s a long list: opossum (which nowadays …