Sedum are juicy looking succulents can be found occasionally in the wild, but sadly none are native to Ontario. Stonecrops (Sedum spp.) that you may spot around here include Spanish stonecrop (S. hispanicum) and mossy also known as biting stonecrop (S. acre), neither common. They are both pictured below. Tasteless stonecrop (S. sexangulare) has also … [Read more…]
Swamp milkweed is not as edible and medicinal as its common relation. So we’re all the more talking about how much of an all-star this plant is for pollinator gardens and native landscaping. Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) can be found in the margins of swamps, marshes and other low wet areas. It’s not as prolific … [Read more…]
“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 … [Read more…]
Wild chive usually refers to the very same chives you’d get from a seed packet for your garden or from a grocery store. The big surprise – there’s a variety native to Ontario! Wild chive (Allium schoenoprasum) is typically a rare escapee from cultivation around here, more specifically it tends to be the European version … [Read more…]
Related to marsh mallows, the Malva spp. of mallow around Haliburton isn’t native. But it is an edible and medicinal wild plant with similar uses to the more popular marshmallow herb. Common mallow (Malva neglecta) is rare around Haliburton. You’re much more likely to find white or pink flowered musk mallow (Malva moschata), listed as … [Read more…]
Wild basil is an edible and medicinal native plant has been flying under-the-radar. Basil lovers, sorry, but it’s more of a cilantro tasting plant. Wild basil (Clinopodium vulgare) is fairly common in cottage country, Ontario. You’ll find it along damp woods, trails and roadsides and even in meadows. It’s a pretty easy plant to know, … [Read more…]