Wild onion (Allium vineale in amaryllis family) is an invasive perennial. Winter has no effect on this hardy little jerk. Lucky for us it's edible. Underground bulbs can be used like garlic. Add leaves, flowers & aerial bulblets to soup. Edible invasives are the best! #foraging #wildedibleinvasives

Due to recent rains in Maryland, these sweet little wood ears are popping up on logs. Most likely Auricularia polytricha - fuzzy gray on top & maroon underneath. If my ID is correct, these are edible, used in Asian cuisine. Be certain of ID before eating, please. #foraging #fungifriends #photography

Beautyberry comes by its name honestly; these bright berries are a welcome sight in a bleak winter landscape. Extra bonus: edible fruit for both man & beast. Callicarpa americana is a native mint family member. The crushed leaves also repel mosquitos. #foraging #photography #naturalinsectrepellent

White cedar, with flat lacy leaves, is easily recognizable. These coniferous evergreens (Thuja Occidentalis in the Cupressaceae family) have fragrant wood that keeps insects away. The leaf tea is high in vit C but should be drunk sparingly. The Ojibwe hold this tree sacred. #foraging #photography

Gilled pilypore is an eye-catching fungus that decorates forest logs in late fall. They have gills underneath, unlike look-alikes turkeytail (smooth underside) & false turkeytail (pores). Latin name is Trametes betulina, in Polyporaceae family. Not edible. #fungifriends #photography

Burl on oak tree; green bark on hickory tree; forest eye on beech tree: corn-kernal bark on American persimmon tree. The forest holds wonders to behold amd lessons to be learned. #trees #coolbark #photography

Pipsissewa is a sweet little evergreen, growing low to the ground, with dark green variegated leaves. Latin name - Chimaphila maculata, in the heather (Ericaceae) family. Eat leaves raw as snack; drink leaf tea to treat fevers & infections; use infusion to treat rhematism. #foraging #medicinalplants

When it's fall & most plants are in dormancy, you can still find edible greens. I found this robust wild lettuce (Lactuca floridana, in the aster family) growing along a creek last week. The greens are edible - add them to a stew or a stir fry. Free wild food is the best! #foraging #freewildfood

After the rain, false turkeytail fungi come out & provide a nice show. Stereum ostrea is the Latin name, in the Stereaceae family. Unlike true turkeytails (Trametes versicolor), S. Ostrea has no medicinal value. They are simply nice to look at. #foraging #photography #fungifriends

When things get rough, head to the woods. It's like free therapy! Take some time to move quietly through the silence. Let your gaze go far and near. Let your ear and your heart hear what the forest is telling you. #therapy #forestbathing

So bright & sunny, goldenrod (Solidago altissima in aster family), makes me smile when I see it. Goldenrod is a common fall flower in the US & Canada. Bees love this plant. Flower tea treats fevers, diarrhea, & thrush; root poultice treats burns & skin wounds. #foraging #naturalmedicine #photography

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus in mint family), native of the Mediterranean, is used for cooking, as fragrance, & as medicine. Rosemary leaf tea makes you feel calmer, eases mental fatigue & helps with depression. Rubbing oil on your scalp reduces hair loss. #foraging #medicinalwildplants #ohotography

Yesterday I saw this lovely plant in San Jose CA. It's Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos flavidus in the Haemodoraceae family), native to Australia. The Noongar people ate the tubers. Plant extracts are used in personal care products. #foraging #noongar #Australia #photography

The female cone of Cedrus deodara, or Himalayan Cedar, is a wonder to behold. The oil rendered from the wood of these tall stately trees has antifungal properties, & can also be used to repel insects. #foraging #plantmedicine #photography

Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) can be found in fields & empty lots. In the Scrophulariaceae family, it is native to Europe & Asia. Europeans & Native Americans used the plant for lung & skin problems. Filter out fine hairs on leaves before ingesting. #foraging #photography #wildplantmedicine

Amanita muscaria, or fly agaric, is a much-loved mushroom in the Amanita family. In Europe the cap is red while in US it is orange (A. Muscaria var. guessowii). Fly agaric is toxic & hallucinogenic. These little beauties are growing along Lake Superior. #woodlandforaging #fungifriends #photography

Knapweed, or Centaurea nigra, is an invasive species in the US. It tends to spread prolifically & crowd out native plants. It is in the Asteraceae family. Knapweed roots were traditionally used to make a diuretic drink or a salve to help heal wounds. #naturalmedicine #foraging #wildplantmedicine

Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota in Apiaceae family) is the wild version of carrot. Eat root while it's young or be disappointed. The seeds can be used for birth control. Make sure the stem is hairy; a poisonous cousin has smooth stem & purple blotches. #foraging #ediblewildplants #wildplantmedicine

Canadian germander, Teucrium canadense in the mint family, is a lovely native plant with pink flowers growing in wetlands & ditches. Tea from this plant promotes sweating, reduces fever & acts as an emmenagogue. Use green leaves on cuts as an antiseptic. #foraging #wildmedicinalplants #emmenagogue

At least someone had luck in foraging today! Seems a bit cannibalistic but who am I to judge? When you're hungry, you're hungry! #foraging #spiders #photography.

Tall hairy acrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) in the rose family is a native east coast plant. It has compound toothed leaves & tiny yellow flowers, and is useful medicinally -- Native Americans used it to treat diarrhea, fever, anemia & urinary problems. #foraging #wildmedicinalplants #photography

Wild yam, Dioscorea villosa in the Dioscoreaceae family, is a native vine with heart-shaped leaves growing in a whorl. Wild yams contain diosgenin, used to make progesterone for birth control. Dried root can treat arthritis, asthma, & painful menstruation. #foraging #wildmedicinalplant #photography

Not really foraging topic, but I hate lantern flies so much, I wanted to celebrate the death of one and its contribution to my Venus Fly trap's nutritional well-being. #carnivorousplants #lanternflies #photography

Blue vervain (Verbena hastata in Verbeneceae family) is a lovely perennial native found on edges of wetlands & can get as high as 5 ft tall. Seeds can be roasted/eaten. Use infusion of roots & leaves to treat fever, gravel, scrofula, and fevers. #foraging #wildmedicinalplants #scrofula #photography

I saw some Amanita jacksonii mushrooms today. The Amanitaceae family is known for members which if eaten can cause severe regret. A. jacksonii is actually edible, but because it can be mistaken for other toxic mushrooms, I suggest just enjoying how it looks. #foraging #photography #fungifriends

Heal-all, aka Prunella vulgaris, is one of my favorite mint family members. A tiny herb with a square stem, heal-all is a powerful medicinal plant. Tea can treat fevers, bacterial infections, diarrhea, & internal bleeding. You can also eat leaves as food. #foraging #photography #medicinalwildplants

Fuligo septica, aka dog vomit slime mold, often grows on mulch. It is in the Physaraceae family & found worldwide. Scandinavian countries call troll cat vomit & Netherlands call it witch's butter. Not edible, but can be used to pull toxic metals from the soil. #fungifriends #slimemold #foraging

Yucca filamentosa, in the agave family, is blooming! The plant has saponins, so use pounded roots for soap. Flower petals, flower stem & fruit can be eaten. Use root poultice on skin sores. Pounded/scraped leaves yield fibers for cordage. #foraging #photography #ediblewildplants #wildmedicinalplants

Common comfrey, symphytum officinale in the borage family, is a lovely garden plant, with larger flowers than its wild cousin (A. virginianum). Young shoots & roots are edible raw or cooked. Make a poultice or tea with leaves or roots to promote healing. #foraging #wildmedicinalplants #photography

The lovely camellia tree puts on a flashy show for bees & people. Camellia sasanqua in the Theaceae family. Leaves of a related tree, C. sinensis, are the source of all green, black & white tea. Use leaves of camellia for tea & nuts for edible tea oil. # foraging #tea #photography #bees

Scarlett pimpernell is a tiny orange-flowered weed. Anagallis arvensis in the Primulaceae family. I see conflicting information on edibility. Animals avoid this plant - so should you. Medicinally, the leaves have been applied to ulcers to promote healing. #foraging #wildflowers #photography

Pycnoporus may be inedible, but it's very bright & fun to spot on rotting logs & branches. Either Pycnoporus cinnabarinus or Pycnoporus coccineus, in the Polyporaceae family, found in the mountains of West Virginia. Colorful fungi always bring a smile to my face. #foraging #photography #fungifriends

Wild indian cucumbers grow in the Appalachian & Blue Ridge mountains. Medeola virginiana in the Lilaceae family, the small root tastes like a cucumber. It grows in shaded, woodlands near creeks. It will produce another whorl of leaves & then seeds later in the season. #foraging #wildediblefood

White clover (Trifolium repens in the pwa family) is beloved by bees & makes the best honey. Dry and shred flowers to make flour for crackers & bread. Add boiled flowers & leaves to salad, soup, or stew. Clovers also eliminate tapeworms if you have that problem. #foraging #wildediblefood #tapeworms

Yellow mellilot, aka sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis in the pea family) grows in sunny fields. Wilted leaves produce a dangerous anti-coagulant, so eat only fresh leaves, seedpods, & shoots after cooking. Also, hang plant indoors to repel insects. #foraging #wildflowers #naturalinsectrepellent

Ah, nettle - it hurts so good! Urtica dioica, in the Urticaceae family, deliberately stinging arthritic hands, feet, or knees only hurts for a moment, but brings sweet relief for days. It takes a strong will to reach out, but it's worth it. #foraging #wildplantmedicine #arthritis #hurtssogood

Ah, nettle - it tastes so good! Urtica dioica, in the Urticaceae family, heat will neutralize those stinging hairs. Put leaves in boiling water, & make a delicious soup, tea, or pesto. High in vitamin C, iron & other good things, plus it's free food! Use gloves to collect. #foraging #freewildfood

The Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maakii) is in bloom. I dislike them intensely. They crowd out natives, reproduce like rats on viagara, & have no edible or medical uses. Berries are vile tasting, except to birds who eat & spread the seeds. Don't plant, please. #foraging #invasiveplants

Native wild comfrey grows on shady hills in Maryland. Andersonglossum virginianum, the Latin name, in the borage family, contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can damage the liver but has antibiotic & anti-viral applications. External use can help skin problems. #foraging #wildplantmedicine

One of my favorite spring bushes is the native Carolina Allspice, with red flowers in spring & alien looking seed pods in the fall. Calycanthus floridus is the Latin name, in the Calycanthaceae family. You can use the bark in place of cinnamon. The flowers smell good too. #foraging #ediblewildplants

Someone bought me a Venus Fly Trap for Mothers Day. Dionaea muscipula, in the Droceraceae family, this carnivorous plant, native to the Carolinas, traps & digests bugs in its jaws of death. There are no uses for this plant, just enjoy its coolness. #coolplants #carnivorousplants #happymothersday

Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia in Smilacaceae family) is a thorned menace. I'm talking ripped skin, torn clothes, & liberal use of profanity. Its ONLY redeeming feature are the soft new tips. Pull off with hand, sauté in butter, & enjoy eating like a true foodie. #foraging #ediblewildplants

Buttercups (Ranunculus bulbosus in the Ranunculaceae family) are non-native beauties that pop up in lawns, fields & along roadsides. This cheery plant, beloved by many, contains a toxin that dissipates when heat-dried, so it could be used as a famine food. I advise against it. #foraging #faminefood

Multifora rose is a tiny east Asian invasive shrub in the Rosaseae family. It climbs trees & shrubs, shading out native plants, and produces thousands of tiny red rose hips. You can make a tea with the hips or eat the pulp, but don't eat the seeds, which contain arsenic. #foraging #wildedibleplants

One of my favorite little mushrooms-pleated inkcap, Parasola plicatilis in the Psathyrellaceae family. Like other inkcaps, this cutie will self-digest into an inky blotch when spores mature. Not edible, but texts also say not poisonous. Just nice to look at. #fungifriends #coolmushrooms

Black rum cherry (Prunus serotina in Rosaceae family) is a common native tree here in Maryland. The tiny cherries are bitter with poisonous seeds, but separate pulp from stone, add a ton of sugar, & make a nice jam. Inner bark tea treats fever & sore throat. #foraging #wildediblefruit #plantmedicine

Bear corn - such a cool plant! Conopholis Americana, in the Orobanchaceae family, this parasite feeds off roots of oaks & beech trees. It doesn't photosynthesis & doesn't need sunlight. Its astringent nature will stop bleeding & expel intestinal worms. #foraging #coolplants #plantmedicine

Boxelder trees look just like poison ivy when young. Look for leaflets with a longer petiole, & a woody green stem. Acer negundo in Latin, in Sapindaceae family, same as buckeye & maple trees, seeds are edible after cooking. Tap & boil sugary sap to make syrup. #foraging #wildedibleplants

Wild geranium, aka spotted cranesbill (Geranium meculatum in the Geraniaceae family) is a native Maryland wildflower. Use medicinally with a root infusion as an astringent or antiseptic wash on skin sores or drink root tea for diarrhea, kidney problems, or IBS symptoms. #foraging #medicinalplants

American beech tree, Fagus grandifolia in Latin in the Fagaceae family (same family as oak & chestnut) is a native tree w/smooth gray bark. Spring leaves emerge soft as tissue. Eat several at once for a burst of citrus taste. When leaves get older, let them be! #foraging #freewildfood #edibleleaves