Mayapple – Podophyllum Peltatum: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the American Mandrake

Mayapple - Podophyllum Peltatum

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) tends to grow in clusters making for a charming, miniature (~2ft tall) umbrella forest. It’s easy to identify. It’s not listed in Haliburton Flora, being mostly a southern Ontario native. Edible Uses of Mayapple The edible ripe late summer fruits are dull yellow, without any hint of green, with a melon-like sweet …

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Lady’s Slippers – Cypripedium SPP.: Medicinal Uses of the American Valerian of Wild Plants

Lady’s Slippers – Cypripedium SPP.

Hardy slipper orchids (Cypripedium SPP.) are presently typically called lady’s slippers. Moccasin flower and “many fine roots” are a couple other folk names for these orchids. The most common Cypripedium around Haliburton, Ontario is yellow lady’s slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum). I’ve spotted clusters of them along trails, somewhat hidden in partial shade. You may also find …

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Elms – Ulmus SPP.: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Slippery Bark of Wild Plants

Elms – Ulmus SPP.

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 …

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Bunchberry – Cornus Canadensis: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Little Dogwood of Wild Plants

Bunchberry – Cornus Canadensis

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a small, creeping dogwood. And just like the other native dogwoods, it’s a great nectar and pollen plant and somewhat of an edible and medicinal plant for humans too. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is common around cottage country, Ontario. This dogwood likes wet and cool deciduous and mixed woods, and shaded banks. …

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