Never ingest anything you have not positively identified.
For practice with proper plant identification, go on a guided plant ramble or use a reliable field guide such as, Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants by “Wildman” Steve Brill, or Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Please harvest responsibly and review this Wildcrafting Checklist by Howie Brounstein who reminds us, “Wildcrafting is stewardship.”
Click on each photo for more detailed information.
COMMON BLUE VIOLET (Viola sororia)
March 4, 2012
The leaves are used as a lymphatic and infuse well into oil or blended into teas and tinctures. The purple flowers have vitamin C and a lovely taste, making them an excellent addition to salads or as a garnish. The Violet also produces a second set of flowers in the summer. These are less noticeable and are close to the ground. They do not open and self pollinate in an enclosed flower, called a cleistogamous flower. Two chances to reproduce... smart little plant!
RED CLOVER (Trifolium pratens)
March 4, 2012
Properties: Blossoms- lymphatic
Pop off the blossoms and lay out on a basket to dry. A delightful addition to any tea blend.
CLEAVERS (Galium aparine)
March 4, 2012
Properties: herb - alterative, diuretic, lymphatic.
PURPLE DEADNETTLE (Lamium pupureum)
March 4, 2012
Properties: Leaves - vulnerary
GROUND IVY (Glechoma hederacea formerly Nepeta hederacea)
March 4, 2012
The whole herb is a simple expectorant. Interesting that was the same genus as Catnip. Very aromatic.
REDBUD (Ceris canadensis)
March 4, 2012
Properties: Blossoms - vitamin C
Feast: Blossoms (garnish) A delicous, sour delight!
REDBUD (Ceris canadensis)
March 4, 2012
Properties: Blossoms - vitamin C
Feast: Blossoms (garnish)
Oregon Grape (Mahonia sp.)
March 7, 2013
Upon maturation, the yellow flowers of oregon grape become the purple fruits that give this plant its common name.
PERIWINKLE (Vinca major)
March 4, 2012
Properties: Herb - hemostatic, astringent
Wild Onions/Garlic (Allium sp.)
March 4, 2012
Properties: Alterative, circulatory tonic, anti-microbial.
Feast: Whole plant
SORREL/Sour Grass (Oxalis violacea)
March 5, 2012
Looks like 3 leaf clover, but each leaflet is shaped like a heart! Sprinkle a few leaves on salads for a delightful taste of sour.
Cleavers (Galium)
March 7, 2013
Cleaver has tiny hooked hairs that allow it to “cleave” onto my knit scarf. Always a fun plant to throw at a friend 🙂 Cleavers is a gentle lymphatic and my favorite way to prepare is to make a succus. First you juice the herb and then combine with alcohol to preserve. For every 3 oz of juice, add 1 oz of 95% alcohol for a final preparation that is 25% alcohol and shelf stable.
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
March 7, 2013
This creeping groundcover is wonderfully aromatic. Rub a leaf and enjoy. This plant was introduced from Europe where it has a long history of use medicinally and also as a pot herb.
Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)
March 7, 2013
An early spring weed, this member of the mint family (notice opposite leaves and square stem) can be used externally as a poultice to staunch bleeding. Maude Grieves suggests as a dried herbal infusion to promote perspiration.
Plantago major
March 11, 2012
If you learn to identify just one plant, make it PLANTAIN (Plantago major). Known as the green bandaid, this tough little weed grows the world over. Easily recognizable by it’s basal rosette with parallel veins, it likes being walked on and can be found growing out of the cracks in the sidewalk or carpeting footpaths across your lawn. If you get a cut or insect bite, find some fresh plantain, crush it up till it becomes moist with it’s own juices and apply directly. This plantain bolus will cool inflammation, draw out toxins and fight infection.
Thorny Olive, (Elaeagnus pungens)
March 12, 2013
I had to have a little nibble before the birds got them all.
CHICKWEED (Stellaria media)
March 13, 2012
The name of this plant, Stellaria comes from the Italian word for star. The little white rays, which appear to be 10 in number, are actually 5 deeply cleft petals.
CHICKWEED (Stellaria media)
March 13, 2011
Properties: Herb - vulnerary, emollient, lymphatic & diuretic
Feast: whole herb (pesto!!)
Bloodroot, (Sanguinaria canadensis)
March 16, 2013 Atlanta Botanical Gardens
This lovely spring ephemeral has a delicate bloom and a powerful root which we use medicinally. This is a low-dose plant, meaning it is often tinctured in a more diluted form and we also must count the drops (no free handed squirting with this plant please.) I use it in cough formulas and mouth/gum tonics, but it also has a long history of use in cancer salves.
DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale)
March 17, 2012
With diuretic leaves, hepatic roots, and the entire plant a feast, Dandelion is the full package. How to tell the real dandelion from other look-alikes? Turn the leaf over and look for hairs on the central rib. Dandelions are hairless. If your leaf needs a shave, it’s an imposter! Also, dandelion flowers are one blossom per stem. If the flowering stalk holds more than one flower, that’s not Dandelion.
Forsythia (Forsythis suspensa? or viridissima?
or hybrid of the two species?)
March 21, 2015
An incredible spring display... the upward energy of the season is in full force.
Forsythia (Forsythis suspensa? or viridissima?
or hybrid of the two species?)
March 21, 2015
Forsythia (Forsythis suspensa? or viridissima?
or hybrid of the two species?)
March 21, 2014
A classic harbinger of spring, this shrub plays an important role in Chinese medicine. The green, unripe seed capsule of late summer is the part used. It “clears heat,” disperses swelling, detoxifies, and is an ingredient in the better known “Yin Qiao.” Indications would include: sores with toxicity, sore throat, UTI, boils, etc...
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
March 21, 2014
More shots of redbud. What an absolutely gorgeous tree. One of the first spots of color in spring, it is a delight to eyes and tongue. An abundant edible, garnish your meals and savor the tangy taste of these brilliant blossoms.
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
March 21, 2015
Redbud against a blue sky
Wild Ginger Flower Buds (Hexastylis arifolia)
March 21, 2015
There are a couple of plants called wild ginger. They used to be the same genus, but now the ones with evergreen leaves are called Hexastylis and the deciduous plants remain Asarum. The little roots of this plant are used as a flavoring in cooking or to move a formula. USE SPARINGLY as this is not a tonic herb like our culinary ginger! And despite its name, I rather think it smells more like root beer than ginger ale 🙂
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)
March 21, 2014
Edible young leaves, stems, and flowers. Raw or cooked. Salad or potherb. Can be confused with purple dead nettle (Lamium purpureum). Notice the leaves are round instead of triangular shaped. Also flowers point upward instead of outward. I find the flowers more vibrantly colored as well. History of use: topical poultice for wounds and bruises, and internally as a tea as a gentle spring tonic, similar to that of purple deadnettle (according to Maude Grieve)
Cleavers (Gallium sp.)
March 29, 2014
An entire hillside of cleavers (the brighter green colored plant.) The “sticky” quality of the herb makes for easy gathering, as it clings to itself and becomes a bit of a nest. Juice the herb and combine with alcohol for a shelf stable succus (for every 3 oz juice add 1 oz of 95% alcohol.) Cleavers is useful for a bit of spring cleaning, as it supports the lymphatic system.
POISEN IVY (Rhus toxicodendron)
March 31, 2012
Poison ivy is an extremely important plant to be able to identify, if only to give it the respectful distance it deserves. It grows in little leaflets of three, with two forming a pair and the third leaf sticking out at the end on a short stalk. The edges are variously notched and the stem often has a reddish hue. It is a vine that grows along the ground or up trees, but with nothing to support it, can also grow in the form of a small shrub. To learn more about poison ivy and how to remedy it, read my article in Sevananda Co-Options, due out in May.
Blackberry (Rubus sp.)
March 31, 2013
This is my dad’s absolute favorite berry. A member of the rose family, it has a powerful astringency in its roots that we can use to arrest diarrhea. As Michael Moore would say, “It’s a YARFA.” (Yet another rose family astringent.)
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
March 31, 2013
Sprinkle them on you salads and enjoy the tangy delight that is a redbud blossom. They give you a dose of vitamin C and are filled with the vibrancy of early spring.
Violet, (Viola sp.)
March 31, 2013
If you haven’t noticed by my website already... this herbalista really likes violets. No, this might not be the most powerful of herbal medicine, but the color therapy is unsurpassed. Enjoy!