Beggarsticks (Bidens spp.) may look like flowers to choke on, but they are more edible and medicinal than they appear. We currently have around half a dozen species of beggarticks (Bidens spp.) in Haliburton county, Ontario. But the only one I’ve noticed is devil’s beggarticks (Bidens frondosa). It’s fairly common in waste areas, sand flats … [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…]
Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a common sight in sunny pastures and along the roadside here. Its (also euro) cousin Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) will be covered another time, even though the edible and medicinal usage is similar. Bull thistle is more edible. I’m going to interrupt this piece to invite you to join me … [Read more…]
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) is a sunny medicinal and edible wild plant. In the past, it was falsely blamed for hayfever allergies, which are actually caused by ragweed. As a medicinal plant, goldenrod can actually be used to treat allergies! Latin solidare means to join or make whole, and when you come upon the medicinal tags … [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…]
Common blackberry syn. Allegheny blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) is a cordial wild edible and medicinal bramble. It’s distinguishable from black raspberries by having a core instead of being hollow inside when harvested (second picture down this page). There are around 50 species of black and raspberries in North America and up here in the north, aren’t we … [Read more…]