Slippery elm is the medicinal star of the elms (Ulmus spp.) native to Ontario. It’s also most popular local/Haliburton elm for foraging. But elm is at risk due to Dutch elm disease. Around cottage country Ontario there are three main native elm (Ulmus spp.) trees. The most common is American/white elm (Ulmus americana) as featured … [Read more…]
Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium syn. Epilobium angustifolium) derives its common name from colonizing the charred sites of wildfires. It’s an edible and medicinal plant that is native to Ontario. I’ll be changing the graphic to Chamaenerion angustifolium for its Latin name soon! Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is common along roadsides, in logged bush, and in fire scourged … [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…]
Honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.) are sometimes poisonous, sometimes edible and sometimes medicinal. But always a favorite of nectar seekers like the ruby-throated hummingbird along with all-stars like scarlet bee balm and cardinal flower. Some human folks seek the nectar too. The most abundant native honeysuckle here is American/Canadian Fly (Lonicera canadensis), which likes openings in deciduous … [Read more…]
White water-lily (Nymphaea odorata) is one of our stand out edible and medicinal aquatic plants. The flower itself is widely recognizable: a lotus. Around Haliburton we have white water-lily (Nymphaea odorata) and the yellow ones you spot should be variegated (Nymphaea varigeta). In Haliburton Flora, there is one rare account of another sort of yellow … [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…]