Woodbine AKA American ivy AKA Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a grape relation you can find around Ontario. Locally, it’s found mostly on roadsides and along abandoned railroad tracks. I’ve also found this vine in mixed woods. It’s gorgeously ornamental in Autumn, so you’re likely to find it in town too. In Canada, it’s only … [Read more…]
Canada wild lettuce (Lactuca canadensis) is one of many edible and medicinal wild lettuces (Lactuca spp.) you’ll find in Ontario. They are often confused with chicory, dandelion or sow thistles, but fortunately these tall wild lettuces have no poisonous lookalikes. Although, at a glance rattlesnake roots have a similar look and height. In Haliburton Flora … [Read more…]
Hop clovers (like Trifolium aureum) round out our few featured clover plants. We’ve covered red, then white and their hybrid alsike. The yellow or golden hop clover is edible like its relations. Large hop clover (Trifolium aureum) is barely mentioned in my herbal library. Red and white clover are the popular clovers. Perhaps one reason … [Read more…]
Field penny-cress is a slightly edible and medicinal plant may have a future in renewable fuels. Field penny-cress (Thlaspi arvense) is listed as uncommon in Haliburton Flora. It is sometimes found along roadsides or on old farmland mixed in with tall grasses. It prefers disturbed areas, so even though it’s not native here it’s not … [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…]
Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) is a unique looking edible and medicinal plant. While not used much these days for food or medicine, it’s still a hit for American Lady butterflies and florists alike. Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) is especially common along roadsides and damp ditches. It’s named for its pearly colored flower bracts. Silver leaf, … [Read more…]