Common gromwell (Lithospermum officinale) was noted in Haliburton Flora in a dry sandy waste area and in open damp ground beside a swamp. I found the pictured specimen in the middle of a spruce grove. The spruce had grown over an old foundation for a homestead that burnt down many decades ago. None of Ontario’s … [Read more…]
Most false bindweeds (Calystegia spp.) you’ll find in Ontario are nonnative and not very edible or medicinal. However, some false bindweeds have been used for food around the world. False bindweeds (Calystegia spp.) are very similar to related “true” bindweeds (Convolvulus spp.) and are sometimes categorized with them and swamp dodder (Cuscuta gronovii). But our … [Read more…]
Bogbean AKA Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) is native to Ontario and found in wet, boggy habitats. It’s used for brewing and medicinally. Bogbean is closely related to gentian and it shows. Called buckbean in Haliburton Flora, bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) is uncommon here. It likes sphagnum mats in bogs and shallow, boggy edges of small lakes, and … [Read more…]
Avens (Geum spp.) are in the rose family, closely related to cinquefoils and strawberries. There is a resemblance. In milder climates they are evergreen. Our chocolatey title is after the edible usage of the purple avens. We’ve got many avens species in Ontario, Canada! Our fairly common avens in the wilds of central Ontario are … [Read more…]
Boneset is a slightly edible and mainly medicinal plant. It’s also an underrated addition to pollinator gardens. Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) was common in damp areas when Haliburton Flora was compiled. However, I don’t see it very often now. Not as often as it’s look-a-like Joe-Pye weed. There is a slight resemblance to water hemlock, which … [Read more…]
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is a nonnative (to Ontario) edible and medicinal plant that you can easily grow in a pot indoors if you love it, rather than have it take over yours and your neighbors lawns. If it hasn’t taken over already! Called gill-over-the-ground in Haliburton Flora, ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea syn. Nepeta glechoma, … [Read more…]