Botanical Name: Fragaria vesca and related species | Family: Rosaceae Common name(s): Wild strawberry, Woodland strawberry, Alpine strawberry GROWING Perennial; herbaceous | Zone 3-10 | 6-12 inches tall | White leaves followed by red fruit in the spring to early summer. The wild strawberry has smaller fruit than the garden variety. Full sun/partial shade | Prefers rich, moist soil but will tolerate…

Botanical Name: Caulophyllus thalictroides | Family: Berberidaceae Common name(s): Blue Cohosh, Squawroot, Papoose Root GROWING Perennial; herbaceous | Zone 3-8 | 1-3 feet tall | Leaves dark purple when they emerge then they turn green. Greenish-brown or yellow-brown flowers mid to late spring, turn into waxy yellow flowers that hang below the foliage. Partial to full shade| Moist, hummus-rich, acidic soil…

Botanical Name: Chimaphilla umballata | Family: Ericaceae | Subfamily: Pyrolaceae Common name(s): Pippsissewa, prince’s pine, ground holly GROWING Perennial | Zones 5-8 | 6-12 inches tall | Lance-shaped, toothed, waxy leaves (pale underneath). Flowers whitish pink with a ring of red anthers, May – August Found in dry, shady woods HARVESTING The whole plant is harvested when in bloom. Leaves can…

Botanical Name: Petroselinum crispum | Family: Umbelliferae Common name(s): Parsley GROWING Biennial; herbaceous | Zones 5-8 | 12-20 inches tall | White, umbel flowers in early to midsummer in the second year Full sun; partial shade HARVESTING Aerial parts can be harvested any time. Harvest the roots the fall of the first year or spring of the…

Botanical Name: Eupatorium purpureum | Family: Compositae Common name(s): Joe-Pye Weed, Trumpet Weed, Purple Boneset, Queen of the meadow, Kidney root GROWING Perennial | Zones 3-8 | 5-6 feet tall | Purple to white flowers August and September Distinguishable by the ~1-inch purple band around the leaf joint. Found in low places and meadows, often where it…

Botanical Name: Juniperus communis | Family: Cupressaceae Common name(s): Juniper GROWING Evergreen tree or shrub | Zones 2-9 | Gardens, yards, fields Full sun HARVESTING Harvest the ripe berries (they ripen the second year and will be dark purple). If drying, dry in the shade to preserve the oils. PREPARATION / DOSAGE Infusion: Steep, covered, 1 teaspoon of the berries…

Botanical Name: Zea mays | Family: Gramineae Common name(s): Corn silk, corn tassles GROWING Annual | Zones 4-8 | Garden vegetable See this Old Farmer’s Almanac article on growing corn HARVESTING Harvest the silk when it is still golden/green and sticky (this is before corn is ready to eat). PREPARATION / DOSAGE Infusion: Pour 2 cups…

Botanical Name: Stillaria media | Family: Caryophyllaceae Common name(s): Chickweed, Starweed, Starwort, Stitchwort (and more!) GROWING Annual; considered a weed | Zones 3-8 | Grows along ground, 6-15 inches | Very small white flowers all season (March – September) | Leaves are smooth and oval, stalks are hairy Grows everywhere, easily reseeds | Good ground cover because the roots…

Botanical Name: Galium aparine | Family: Rubiaceae Common name(s): Cleavers, Clivers, Clives, Goose Grass, Bedstraw GROWING Annual; wild, considered a weed | Zones 4-7 | Creeping/climbing plant that can grow up to 6′ | Very small white flowers in late spring/summer | Small, hooked hairs on leaves and stems | Root can be used as…