Wildology

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flower: White, star-like. 5 deeply lobed petals that appear to be 10 separate petals, about .5” diameter. Leaves: Lance-shaped, up to 3.5” long. Stem: About 16” tall and hairy.

EDIBLE PARTS:  Leaves.

HABITAT: Lawns and disturbed sites. Throughout North America.

HARVEST: Harvest young leaves in spring before flowering.

NUTRTITIONAL VALUE: High in vitamins A and C.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: White, small, and in clusters of 3 on own stalk. Leaves: Narrow and in whorls of 8, segmenting stalk. Stem: weak, hollow and squared. Clinging hairs allows it to stick to other stems or clothing.

EDIBLE PARTS: Stem and leaves.

HABITAT: Moist sites and rich woodlands throughout U.S.

HARVEST: Collect leafy stem in early spring. Steam or boil until tender.

EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL

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DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Small, white, .25”. Leaves: Lance-shaped to oblong with white hairs appearing as if dusted with white powder. 

EDIBLE PARTS: Flowers and leaves.

HABITAT: Upland woodas and roadsides in East U.S.

HARVEST: July-September. Flowers and leaves eaten raw or cooked. Can be used to make herbal tea.

MEDICINAL USE: Used to treat indigestion, mouth sores, cough, cold, toothaches, and menstrual disorders. Known to raise the dead.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: In clusters with 4 white petals. Leaves: Flat leaves at base. Smaller, narrower leaves on upper stems. Stems: Have fruit stalks with flat, heart-shaped fruits.

EDIBLE PARTS: Leaves and seeds.

HABITAT: Lawns, fields and roadsides. Eastern U.S.

HARVEST: Gather leaves and seeds in spring before flowering stage.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: NONE

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Tiny white flowers gathered in a compound umbel, grouped together to make a plate or umbrella shape. Leaves: Feathery and similar to carrot. Stem: Up to 5' tall.

EDIBLE PARTS: Berries.

HABITAT: Thickets and Clearings throughout Southeast U.S.

HARVEST: Collect berries May-June.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: High in Vitamins A and C, essential oils an pectin.

POISIONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Tiny white flowers gathered in a compound umbel, grouped together to make a plate or umbrella shape. Leaves: Feathery and similar to carrot. Stem: Up to 5' tall.

EDIBLE PARTS: Root.

HABITAT: Fields and Roadsides. Throughout temperate North America.

HARVEST: Use root like the cultivated carrot. May-June.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: High in vitamin A.

POISIONOUS LOOK-ALIKES:  Similar to Poison Hemlock and Fool's Parsley.

EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Tiny, white to translucent. Styles and stamens protrude from a dense spike at tip of stem. Spike can be up to 3" long. Leaves: Narrow, lance-shaped in a rosette at the base. 4-12". Stem: 6-25" tall.

EDIBLE PARTS: All

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

HARVEST: Pick young leaves in April-June, new leaves in summer.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Rich in vitamins A and C. High in iron.

MEDICINAL USE: Contains tannin which is useful for treating sores, bites, cuts or stings.

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

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Small, white in round head. About 1" diameter. Leaves: three leaflets.

EDIBLE PARTS: All

HABITAT: Lawns and fields. Throughout temperate North America.

HARVEST: Pick April through September.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Five, white and deeply lobed appearing to be ten petals. About 0.5" diameter. Leaves: Simple and arranged opposite one another.Stem: About 12" long and aren't always erect.

EDIBLE PARTS:  Leaves and Stems.

HABITAT: Lawns, fields and woodlands. East and Midwest U.S.

HARVEST: Use tender stems and leaves from young plants when they are not blooming--available most of the year.

NUTRTITIONAL VALUE: High in vitamins A and C.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flower: At tip of stem. Tiny, white, 4 petals. About 0.1 ". Leaves: Mostly in a rosette at base.Stem: 4-16" tall with erect seed pods.

EDIBLE PARTS: Flowers and leaves.

HABITAT: Lawns and fields. Throughout temperate North America.

HARVEST: Gather in March and April. Raw or boilded. Hot or spicy flavoring for salads.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None.

EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Small, white with 4 petals in clusters. Leaves: Dissected, between 3 and 11 lobes. Upper leaflets are more round. 

HABITAT: Floats on surface of slow moving, shallow creeks and streams. Throughout temperate North America.

EDIBLE PARTS: All

HARVEST: Available nearly all year. Peppery flavor. Use like spinach in salads or soups.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: High in iodine, iron, antioxidants and Vitamins A and C.

MEDICINAL VALUE: Treats coughs and arthritis. Also an expectorant and diuretic.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Five, white and deeply lobed appearing to be ten petals. About 0.5" diameter. Leaves: Simple and arranged opposite one another.Stem: About 12" long and aren't always erect. 

EDIBLE PARTS: Leaves and stems.

HABITAT: Lawns, fields, and woddlands. East and midwest U.S.

HARVEST: Use tender stems and leaves from young plants when they are not blooming--available most of the year.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: High in vitamins A and C.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Leaves: Situated opposite on stem. Elliptic to lance-shaped, up to 3” long. Flowers: Small, white. In clusters in bowl-like, green bracts (reduced leaf) at the terminus of stem. Stem: Erect and up to 30” tall. Forking with two opposite, sessile (attached to stem) leaves.

EDIBLE PARTS: Leaves

HABITAT: Disturbed sites, meadows, and roadsides throughout eastern U.S.

HARVEST: Eat young leaves raw or cooked in spring.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

MEDICINAL

DESCRIPTION: Leaves: Narrow and toothed. 2-6”. Leaves on stem are clasping to the stem, toothed and are smaller and narrower than base leaves. Flowers: Daisey-like rays. White-pink. Up to .5” in diameter. Stem: Hairy and 12-30” tall.

HABITAT: Fields, lawns, and open woodlands throughout U.S.

HARVEST: Harvest in early spring and use as a tea or poultice.

MEDICINAL VALUE: A poultice made from this plant can be used to treat headaches and sores. Tea can be used to treat diarrhea. Pregnant women should not consume this plant.

EDIBLE

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: White, 5 petals in flat cluster, about 1” wide. Leaves: 3 leaflets, obovate with course teeth. Fruits: Small, red strawberries.

HABITAT: Lawns and disturbed sites. Throughout North America.

HARVEST: Pick berries in early June.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: High in vitamins A and C.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL

DESCRIPTION: Flowers: Small, white, 4-6 petals and protrude from cluster of bulbs on end of stem. Leaves: At the base of stalk. Long and thin.Stong onion smell when broken. Stem: Erect and up to 24."

EDIBLE PARTS: All

HABITAT: Open woodlands and fields. Eastern half of U.S.

HARVEST: Harvest entire plant before flower stalks appear in early spring. Use subteranean bulbs in spring and fall. Bulb cluster on top can be eaten in late spring before ripe.

MEDICINAL USE: Wards of vampires.

POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Avoid onion-like plants that don't have an onion smell.