There may not be a traditional word for wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) because this plant is an invasive settler introduced plant. Edible and medicinal carrot/parsley family plants are notorious on the internet. Their relation giant hogweed is especially villainized. My library of herbal books tends to focus on cow parsnip, and even then, these parsnip … [Read more…]
While not a true “primrose”, common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is truly amazing. You might have heard of evening primrose oil as a medicinal supplement (affiliate link), especially if you’re a woman. This foraged wild plant is also amazingly edible! The flowers open at dusk hence the “evening”. Observe them and you’ll notice flowers hanging … [Read more…]
Called nsidaiindamowin mshkiki by Joe from Creators Garden, “depression medicine”, St. John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum) is worthy of the happy little Bob Ross reference. It’s an edible and renown medicinal plant. Locals especially, check Joe out! He’s in Peterborough area. While picking common for the title plant, I could just as well go all out hypericum … [Read more…]
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…]
Trout lily (Erythronium americanum), widespread in my area of Ontario, is one of the first edible and medicinal plants to come up in the Spring. But it doesn’t stay for long! A spring ephemeral (which means it springs up and then goes away far too quickly), trout lily’s leaves have the mottled appearance of its … [Read more…]
In Anishinaabemowin, mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is sometimes called waabooyaanibag (blanket leaf). Its uses are blanketly more medicinal than edible. But you can eat the delicate yellow flowers too! Mullein’s folk names include but are not limited to flannel leaf (leaves stuffed in shoes for warmth), tinder plant/torches/torch-wort, candlewick (dried stems used to be dipped in … [Read more…]