American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is not listed in Haliburton Flora nor in VASCAN, but has been planted as an ornamental tree in southern Ontario. You may find it in some yards on your southern travels. It looks like some strange dainty leaved maple. But its closest native relation is witch hazel. Edible Uses of American …
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is not listed in Haliburton Flora, nor in many foraging books. But it is seedy and can escape cultivation. Plus, you may have it amongst your kitchen spices. Edible Uses of Coriander Hereabouts, dried coriander seed is a popular kitchen spice. It flavours many curries, meat dishes, breads and even liquor. The …
Around Haliburton, nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is one of our uncommon bush cranberries. It may be found on wet banks, river edges, or in wet meadows. It’s on the taller side as bush cranberries go. In appearance and usage, it’s much like black haw, which grows just to our south in the States. It’s also similar …
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 …
Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is not listed in Haliburton Flora, as it’s another southern Ontario native. And even there it is rare. The tree has rather nefarious looking clusters of large thorns. And memorable large, brown boomerang shaped seed pods. Where I grew up, quite a ways south of Ontario, honey locust had filled a …
Northern bayberry (Morella pensylvanica syn. Myrica pensylvanica) isn’t listed in Haliburton Flora and despite the name is more abundant to the south. Its relation sweet gale/ bog myrtle is more common in our area. It’s native to Ontario but may be closer to near native in cottage country. Edible Uses of Northern Bayberry As the …