EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Small, purple, hooded in a pineapple-shaped cluster at the top of the stem. Leaves: Lance-shape or elliptic, with fine hairs, 1-3” long. Positioned opposite from each other.

EDIBLE PARTS: All

HABITAT: Lawns and fields. Throughout temperate North America.

HARVEST: May - September. Leaves can be used as salad or potherb.

MEDICINAL USES: Known to treat sore throats, fevers, and diarrhea. Can be used on external wounds and bruises. May have antibiotic properties.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Light blue to purple ray flower with paddle-shaped petals with teeth on the end. About 1 to 1.5" diameter. Leaves: Similar to dandelion--3-10' long, lobed, and toothed. Stem: Can reach 5' tall. Long taproot.

EDIBLE PARTS: All.

HABITAT: Lawns, fields and roadsides. Throughout temperate North America.

HARVEST: Pick leaves early as possible. Use taproot fall through spring. Roots can be roasted and ground for substitute coffee.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Contains vitamins A,B,C, and K as well as proteins and minerals.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None.

EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL

DESCRIPTION: Climbing or trailing vine.Flower: Large ornate, up to 5” across. 5 white to purple petals and 5 sepals (looks like 10 petals. Purple and white threads radiate from center. Prominent, yellowish anthers arranged in a circle. Leaves: 3-5” wide, divided into 3 deep lobes. Fruit: Green or yellow berries, lemon-size.

EDIBLE PARTS: Fruit, leaves, and roots.

HABITAT: Fields, open woodlands, thickets in Eastern U.S.

HARVEST: Pick fruit when ripe-almost falls ofF in your hand. Fruit and eaves can be eaten raw.

MEDICINAL USE: Tea made from leaves and roots is known to treat insomnia and has analgesic properties.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Small purple, funnel-shaped. Leaves: Crowded and overlapping. Resembles a Japanese pagoda.

EDIBLE PARTS: Leaves and stems.

HABITAT: Lawns and fields throughout temperate North America.

HARVEST: Young leaves and shoots in spring. Can be used as potherb.

POISIONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Small purple, funnel-shaped. Leaves: Clasping on upper part of stem.

EDIBLE PARTS: Leaves and shoots.

HABITAT: Lawns and fields. Throughout temperate North America.

HARVEST: Young leaves and shoots in spring. Can be used as potherb.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Unknown.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Violet with five petals. Up to 1.5" across. Leaves: Heart-shaped, at base on long 4-6” stalks. 2-4” wide.

EDIBLE PARTS: Flowers and leaves.

HABITAT: Lawns, fields, and woodlands, throughout temperate U.S.

HARVEST: Early spring. Gather flowers and young leaves (bright green).

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: High in Vitamins A and C.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Leaves look similar to other toxic plants. Pick only when flower is in bloom.

EDIBLE:

DESCRIPTION: Leaves: Pinnately compound (leaflets on both sides of the axis), up to 5 slender leaflet pairs. Flowers: Small, purple, around .5” wide. Stem: Erect to climbing, up to 3’ tall.

EDIBLE PARTS: Leaves, shoots, seeds, and pods.

HABITAT: Fields, roadsides, waste places throughout eastern U.S.

HARVEST: Harvest young shoots, leaves, and seeds in spring/early summer. Cook pods like green beans. Eat in moderation.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Violet with five petals. Up to 1.5" across. Leaves: 5-11 lobes. Shaped like a fleur-de-lis. Stem: Underground (rhizome).

EDIBLE PARTS: Flowers and leaves.

HABITAT: Flowers: Violet with five petals. Up to 1.5" across. Leaves: 5-11 lobes. Shaped like a fleur-de-lis. Stem: Underground (rhizome).

HARVEST: Early spring. Gather flowers and young leaves (bright green).

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: High in Vitamins A and C.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Leaves look similar to other toxic plants. Pick only when flower is in bloom.