Knapweeds – Centaurea SPP.: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Cornflower of Wild Plants

Knapweeds - Centaurea SPP.

Most local knapweeds (Centaurea spp.) look similar to bull thistle or Canada thistle. However, you’re more likely to find your knapweed in patches instead of lone like bull thistles. Spotted knapweed (C. maculosa) is noted in Haliburton Flora on the edge of the highway, which is where I’ve seen it too. Another Centaurea is bachelor’s …

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Asters ft. New England Aster – Symphyotrichum SPP.: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the “Move Over, Mums”

Asters ft. New England Aster – Symphyotrichum SPP.

Asters are all-stars for pollinators and they’re also somewhat edible and medicinal. The American asters (Symphyotrichum spp. formerly included in Aster spp.) are native to the Americas. A single species, S. ciliatum, is also native to eastern Eurasia. We are fortunate to have many of these late summer and autumn blooming, wildlife supporting all-stars. Some are truly …

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Indian Tobacco – Lobelia Inflata: Medicinal Uses of the Smoking Cessation Herb of Wild Plants

Indian Tobacco - Lobelia Inflata

Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata) has yet to be renamed, but I imagine it will be decolonized in the future (please let me know if you see this happening). Another less common name for it is “wild tobacco”. I was going to cover cardinal flower this month, a showier, bright-red close relation. But usage-wise our title …

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American Spikenard – Aralia Racemosa: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Jumble Berry of Wild Plants

American Spikenard – Aralia Racemosa

Spikenard is another edible and medicinal plant from the sarsaparilla family. We’ve covered its relation sarsaparilla before and eventually we’ll cover its other local close relation American ginseng. Be aware, sometimes wild sarsaparilla is also called “spikenard” (plus a few others plants too, who are less related!) American spikenard (Aralia racemosa) was common in shrubby …

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Horseradish – Armoracia Rusticana: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Sting Nose of Wild Plants

Horseradish – Armoracia Rusticana

Horseradish is a nonnative edible and medicinal plant that has escaped into the wild here in Ontario. It’s known for causing your nose to sting when you eat it. Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana syn. Cochlearia armoracia, Armoracia lapathifolia, and Rorippa armoracia), originally called sea radish, is a long way from home in Ontario. It was brought here as a …

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Pipsissewa – Chimaphila Umbellata: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Bitter Wintergreen of Wild Plants

Pipsissewa – Chimaphila Umbellata

“Pipsissewa” is a Cree-Montagnais-Naskapi name meaning “It-breaks-into-small-pieces”. It’s one of my favorite edible and medicinal plants to observe blooming in the wild. The delicate umbrella like flowers are unique here. Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata) is uncommon here, and may be found in sparsely wooded, usually rocky areas. I typically find it alongside dirt roads and old …

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