Wild Plant Quick Guides
This new section is being added to help those who do not wish to learn from video. My hope is that these quick guides will help give you an understanding of some common plants that are edible and medicinal. These are by no means an attempt to be a full educational guide, just a walkthrough of basic identification features and uses. Plants are listed in alphabetical order and more information will be added as time goes on. Be careful when using a plant or identifying a plant for the first time, and check with someone who knows what they are doing before consumption!! Or contact me for a class.
All photos and videos belong to Trillium: Wild Edibles; sources are given where otherwise. No use without permission; citation required.
Bee Balm; Monarda fistulosa |
Blue Lobelia; Lobelia siphilitica |
Of many varieties in the state Wild Bergamot, or Purple Bee Balm is a commonly seen flower in the summertime. It's brightly colored flowers are very attractive and noticeable from a distance. The one pictured here is Purple Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot or; Monarda fistulosa.
It can be easily identified by it's flowers, leaves, stem, and scent. Part of the mint family when you rub the leaves or any part of the plant you will smell mint. The scent that is emitted is very strong and it was historically used as perfume by carrying a few leaves in clothing. Starting it's flowering cycle, in Indiana at least, in early June and blooming until Mid-August it fills the fields it grows in with it's beautiful lavender color and pollenating insects like bees and butterflies. It's flowers are very distinct with lipped tubes coming out of the flower head. You may also notice small pistils coming out of the tube on the flower. |
I like to call this plant Great Blue Lobelia, however it's scientific name is Lobelia siphilitica. A medicinal plant that was historically used for Syphilis, hence it's Latin name, it is also used for some of the things Lobelia inflata is used for. Generally considered weaker, it may be a better choice as a diuretic for some compared to inflata.
Identification is simple and this plant features many of the common features of many Lobelia species. Let's take a closer look at this plant and it's identification features. Great Blue Lobelia has the distinctive Lobelia flower. A tube or trumpet like shape with 5 lipped petals. The bottom three lower petals hang or lip downwards, and the upper two are split down to the center of the flower. In this species the flowers are much larger compared to inflata, and are more numerous as well. |
Bee Balm, like any other mint, has a square stem. However, just because a plant has a square stem does not mean it's a mint. The stem is just one more way to help identify a plant, not a sure indicator.
Arranged along the stem you'll find oppositely paired sets of leaves. The leaves are varied, ranging from lance shaped, to triangular, or sharply ovate. The margins, or side of the leaves, are toothed or serrated. |
As in Lobelia inflata it's smaller relative, the leaves grow in an alternating pattern up the stem. However Great Blue Lobelia's stem is ribbed, whereas inflata is not. It's leaves are long and elliptical in shape with very fine serrations, or teeth along their edges. The leaves, stem, flowers, and flower bracts all have little hairs on them. However the hair is most dense at the top of the plant or on the flowers.
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Bee Balm doesn't just grow in fields however, it can also grow near the edge of woodlines. Like most mints it can take over an area rather quickly, so watch out if trying to grow it near a garden. However the pollinating insects it brings makes it worth the while to have some growing if you're careful.
Other species of Bee Balm occur in our area as well, Lemon Bergamot, and Bee Balm/Oswego Tea. Or Monarda citriodora and Monarda didyma respectively. Oswego tea has red flowers, they are usually a little larger than Wild Bergamot, and it generally blooms a tad later in the season. Lemon Bergamot has citrus scented leaves and the plant grows much smaller, around 2ft. where as Wild Bergamot and Oswego Tea can get up to 3ft. and 5ft. respectively. Boneset; Eupatorium perfoliatum
Boneset is known by many names, others include Thoroughwort, Perfoliate Bellwort, and by it's scientific name Eupatorium perfoliatum. The perfoliate stems from it's leaves which grow around or are perforated by the stem. A common and important medical plant of the 18th and 19th centuries Boneset is commonly found growing in moist low lying areas, or areas with a lot of water going through. Frequently I find Great Blue Lobelia, or Lobelia siphilitica, next to it.
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The leaves have hairs on the top and the bottom, similar to inflata. You may be able to see here below how dense the hair is on those flower bracts
Commonly found in low lying moist environments and frequently found next to Boneset, Great Blue Lobelia can grow up to five feet tall. Compared to inflata at approx. 20 in. that makes these plants much easier to spot. Their time for blooming is usually a little later than inflata, and in Indiana they start to bloom around early September and continue until early to mid October. They also do not produce the inflated seedpods that Lobelia inflata is known for having and it's medicinal parts are limited to it's leaves and it's roots.
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In the plant world Boneset is rather unique because of it's perfoliating leaf stucture. Not many other plants in the eastern woodlands to my knowledge have leaves like this, and of the few that do they look nothing like Boneset. The stem of Eupatorium are extremely hairy, in fact you will find these hairs on all of the plant, except the flowers. Not even the underside of the leaves is spared when it comes to the hairs. Never fear as they are nothing to worry about, just a normal part of the plant and one of it's major identification features.
The leaves of Boneset are very long and straight, growing almost horizontal to the ground. As mentioned earlier they are hairy, and also feel sort of leathery. Kind of like buckskin in my opinion. Growing with an opposite leaf structure and prominent teeth along the edges, or margins of the leaves, there is another unique thing about Bonesets leaves. Where the stem meets the leaf you will notice a crease on both sides resembling a fold.
Boneset can grow to approx. 5 ft. tall and loves water. Places that receive drainage, flooding, have, or are next to a creek or river are more than likely to contain Boneset. Some common medical uses of this plant include but are not limited to; colds, flus, arthritis, fevers, malaria, and to induce vomiting. It can be used in tea or tincture form and the leaves, flowers, and roots are the medicinal parts. The proper time for harvesting Boneset is in August to September depending on where you live. In central Indiana the time to harvest is mid-late September.
Lambs Quarters; Chenopodium AlbumLambs Quarters, Wild Spinach, or Chenopodium album is an extremely noxious edible weed. Though I almost don't want to call it a weed because not only is it extremely delicious, it's extremely healthy. In fact it is one of the most nutrient dense greens ever to have been analyzed right up there with good old Garlic Mustard. Recently this plant has been moved from the Chenopodium family to the Amaranthus family. However I'm using Chenopodium because many would know of it as such.
One of the distinct features of Lambs Quarters are these waxy like crystals, which contain oxalic acid providing a nice sour bite to the plant. The crystals cover the entire plant, and protect the plant from water. You may notice this when washing it off the first time. The leaves of Lambs Quarters are highly variable. Meaning you are going to see a lot of variation in leaf shape from plant to plant, even leaf to leaf. The leaves have a shape like what some describe as Goosefoot. They are somewhat hard to describe but think of a spear point with rounded lobes at the back. The leaves are unique in that they have lobes and teeth, with the teeth towards the front of the leaf. The picture below of a very young Lambs Quarters leaf shows this rather well.
The stem is extremely strong and very fibrous, also you can cut it completely in half and the plant will grow back! Along the stem in the nodes; or where a new stem comes out of the main stem. You will notice little reddish-purple tinges, or marks. You will find these all the way up the main stem, however some are more noticeable than others so if you don't see one take a look at another node. Besides being thick and tough the stem is also ribbed and these ribs contain the strings. Unfortunately the stem strings don't seem to be good for rope though it might be possible. You might also notice a unique little groove that is created by the ribs on the stem.
The leaves and seeds are what's used on this plant though most people use the leaves only. The seeds can be dried and used as flour but they require an elaborate process similar to the one that is used for Amaranth. The seeds follow the flower which in my opinion just look like green versions of the seed which is extremely small. Most use this plant in the spring and early summer, though it's leaves can be enjoyed as cooked greens or in salads throughout the growing season.
This plant has a toxic look a like as well which is the somewhat well known nightshade. Thankfully the nightshades do not have those distinct waxy crystals. Also Lambs Quarters grows much taller than Garden or Hairy Nightshade, the two major look a likes. Lambs Quarters can reach heights of 7-8ft. whereas the nightshades can only reach 1-1/2 -2 ft. Below you can see Lambs Quarters growing almost to the roof. |
Gem Studded Puffball; Lycoperdon perlatumThe Gem Studded Puffball, Gem Puffball or; Lycoperdon perlatum as it's known in Latin is a quaint little mushroom. Only getting to around an inch and a half to two inches in diameter it's one of the many puffballs that are edible. Most are aware of the Giant and the Common Puffball, however many seem to look over these. Don't let their size fool you, they are as tasty as the Common Puffball even if they are smaller.
The mushroom is shaped somewhat like a top, being wide and round towards the top and narrow and more conical towards the bottom. White in color and growing on bare soil only, these little mushrooms usually stick out rather well against the browns, oranges, and yellows of Autumn. Though it, like other mushrooms, can technically grow any time of year it's season in Indiana seems to be limited from late summer to mid fall. On the top you will notice the little brown/black tipped spikes or gems for which it gets it's name.
The texture of the puffball when squeezed is like any other puffball, somewhat like squeezing a marshmallow. This one is like squeezing a studded marshmallow. It's important to make sure that when you squeeze the mushroom it is firm and does not feel like an empty sack. This will help to ensure the mushroom is probably safe to eat. However that is not quite good enough. If you take a knife and cut the mushroom in half to see the inside you should see solid white.
You should not see any other colors than white. No green, no brown, and no orange. Also while you are looking at it make sure you do not see any signs of a stem developing inside. The reason for doing this is to prevent it from being confused with any young Amanitas or Enteloma species, two genus' of very deadly mushrooms.
If you see any other colors than white that is a sign the mushroom is too old to eat. At this stage the mushroom is starting to spore, and eating them at that time or after can/will make you sick. Usually when the mushroom starts to age it will turn brown on the outside as well. Though the next pictures are of Pear Shaped Puffballs, or Lycoperdon pyriforme. The exterior color of the Gem Puffball is the same brown-ish color when it is aging. Also, just like any other Puffball, they will get soft and develop a hole in the top for them to release their spores Something I always find fun to do, and it has the benefit of helping to spread the mushrooms, is to squeeze the old ones you see with holes in them. The spores will come out like a little green cloud of smog, and it's fun to watch peoples reaction if they haven't seen it before too. In the picture above you can see the spores gathered around the hole in the center of the mushroom.
Lobelia inflata; Indian TobaccoLobelia inflata, or Indian Tobacco as it's sometimes called was an extremely important plant for Native Americans before Europeans arrival, and it was extremely important for Europeans after arrival. Oftentimes called one of the most important herbs in 19th century America, this plant still holds very valuable potential for us today. A small, low growing delicate plant that reaches approx. 18 - 20 inches in height. Lobelia can be found on wood edges, wood lines, small cleared patches in the forest, and many places in between. The plant is so inconspicuous I walked right by it for years without knowing it!
Lobelia inflata has the noted "Lobelia" flower in a tube or trumpet like shape with five petals. The lower three that hang, or lip downward and the top two that lip upwards. The top two petals are split all the way to the center of the flower, or throat. The flowers are a pale blue, though some see them as white. The flowers are followed by the seedpod containing the hundreds of tiny, tiny little seeds. The seedpod of this species looks and feels inflated, giving it it's name inflata. This is also a distinguishable feature of this species of Lobelia.
The leaves and stem of Inflata are rather hairy, though not as hairy as it's relative L. siphilitica. This plant actually seems to be the opposite in that regard as with Blue lobelia the hair is most dense at the top of the plant. Whereas on Inflata it is most dense on the bottom of the plant on the stem. The top and bottom of it's leaves are mildly hairy and they also have the white spots along the teeth. The leaves are elliptical or lance shaped and grow in an alternating leaf pattern up the stem, and the teeth are more distinct in this species.
One of the many good things about Lobelia is that the entire herb can be used. Some of it's major uses include but are not limited to; a supporter or carrier of other herbs, pain, asthma, smoking cessation, rheumatism, muscle relaxant, hysteria, sedative, to induce vomiting, and more. Usually used in tincture form, but can be used in teas if necessary. Be warned however, because this plant is extremely powerful. It contains arterial sedatives and it is possible that it can put you into a coma or worse if you aren't careful. Also be aware that the seed is the strongest part of the plant, so be cautious if using it to make tincture or tea for the first time.
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