Well drained soil

Partridge-berry – Mitchella Repens: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Uterine Tonic of Wild Plants

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Partridge-berry – Mitchella Repens

Partridge-berry, not to be confused with wintergreen or cranberries, also sometimes called partridgeberries, or for lingonberry. Partridge-berries are an edible and medicinal evergreen vine, non climbing, with double-berry fused red fruits. The leaves have white veins. Partridge-berry (Mitchella repens) is common around Haliburton, Ontario. The first specimen I found was on a rocky outcrop along … [Read more…]

Winterberry Holly – Ilex Verticillata: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Ornamental “Berry” of Wild Plants

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Winterberry Holly – Ilex Verticillata

Winterberry holly is a stunning ornamental shrub, but not so edible and medicinal. However, we’re trying to be festive this December, so let’s bump this feature up in the spirit of winter holidays. This is a plant to consider mainly for its looks and for crafting reasons, like wreaths. Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is fairly … [Read more…]

American Wintergreen – Gaultheria Procumbens: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Other Snowberry of Wild Plants

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American Wintergreen – Gaultheria Procumbens

American wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is often called Eastern tea berry now. It’s edible and medicinal, but you have to mind the amount you use because the oil is toxic if overdosed. Similar to Aspirin, just a tsp of pure wintergreen oil is the equivalent of 21 and a half adult aspirins. American wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) … [Read more…]

Prickly Gooseberry – Ribes Cynosbati: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Spiky Berry of Wild Plants

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Prickly Gooseberry – Ribes Cynosbati

Prickly gooseberry (Ribes cynosbati) is a fuzzy wild currant. Spiky is more apt. Or something in between! Despite the soft flexible spikes on the fruit, it’s an edible and medicinal wild plant. And native to Ontario. There are many Ribes spp. to feature from Ontario. A couple are gooseberries. Prickly gooseberry (Ribes cynosbati) is the … [Read more…]

Black-eyed Susan – Rudbeckia Hirta: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Easily-sown of Wild Plants

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Black-eyed Susan – Rudbeckia Hirta

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), while not edible like most plants we’ve featured, is a medicinal herb and a butterfly favourite that is so easy to plant. It adds bountiful pops of sunny yellow to meadows and path sides. For the most part I’m covering plants that are both edible and medicinal, but it’d be “sow … [Read more…]

Wild Basil – Clinopodium Vulgare: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Cilantro of Wild Plants

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Wild Basil – Clinopodium Vulgare

Wild basil is an edible and medicinal native plant has been flying under-the-radar. Basil lovers, sorry, but it’s more of a cilantro tasting plant. Wild basil (Clinopodium vulgare) is fairly common in cottage country, Ontario. You’ll find it along damp woods, trails and roadsides and even in meadows. It’s a pretty easy plant to know, … [Read more…]