Dark-eyed juncos

Water Smartweed – Persicaria Amphibia: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Water Buckwheat of Wild Plants

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Water Smartweed – Persicaria Amphibia

Water smartweed (Persicaria amphibia syn. Polygonum amphibium) is another edible and medicinal plant from the buckwheat family. It is native to Ontario and has the showiest flower of all our local smartweeds. Water smartweed (Persicaria amphibia syn. Polygonum amphibium) since the compilation of Haliburton Flora got a new genus, Persicaria. It’s common here in wet ditches, shoresides and banks, and … [Read more…]

Violets – Viola Spp.: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Pretty Little Things of Wild Plants

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Violets - Viola Spp.

Violets (Viola spp.) are aplenty around here and all are edible and medicinal. Happily, the plant is unharmed by picking the flowers. However, some species are rare so do take the usual proper precautions in ID-ing and monitoring your wild plant allies. While you’ll probably only find it in southern Ontario, viola pedata is one … [Read more…]

White Pine – Pinus Strobus: Edible & Medicinal Uses of Ontario’s Tallest Wild Plant

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White Pine - Pinus Strobus

White pine (Pinus strobus) was the most towering of edible and medicinal plants here in Ontario 200 yrs ago. Imagine forests of 200-ft tall, 4-ft wide powerful evergreen medicine. This tree has so much life. It has the longest list of mammals and birds and insects allies that I have seen yet in my preparations … [Read more…]