Backwoods Botanicals

While I was driving around looking for dandelions to photograph for my last post, I found this very odd-looking cluster of what I thought were dandelions. I took a picture of it to add to my page, only to find out when I got home that they were something much different. Erechtites hiercafolia, also known as American burnweed or fireweed, is also an edible herb found in recently disturbed areas such as cleared land or disturbed soil, which is where I found the pictured plant. Fun fact, the plant’s name actually comes from its association with recently burned land.  Also in the Asteraceae family, daisy/ sunflower family, burnweed’s flowers are bright yellow and look somewhat like a variant of sunflower. They are fast-growing annual weeds and are considered moderately invasive. These plants can get up to 8 feet tall in what seems like overnight! It is known for its pungent odor, unlike dandelions, but it is also known for its potential culinary and healing properties. Native Amer...

 Whether you know them by their tiny yellow flowers or their white fuzzies, everyone has seen a dandelion! Believe it or not, these pain in the butt buds are much more than just weeds in your garden. Taraxacum is considered a part of the daisy and sunflower family and can be used for much more than just making wishes! The yellow flowers are often used in herbal teas, salads, jellies, and so much more! The leaves can be eaten raw, or even sauteed, added into dishes, or used to make pesto! The roots can be cooked like any other vegetable, steamed, boiled, or even roasted! Dandelion greens are also a great source of vitamins A, C, K, and contain vitamin E and small amounts of vitamin B! The plant has also been known for boosting skin, liver, and heart health for centuries! It is responsible for the maintenance of healthy gut bacteria as well! Researchers and studies suggest that dandelions may even reduce blood sugar, inflammation, cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood pressure levels, a...

            This week I discovered a very interesting plant along the gate in my back yard. Passiflora incarnata, also commonly known as maypop, passionflower, or wild apricot, is a fast growing perennial vine known for its vibrant purple flowers. The bright flower attracts butterflies and caterpillars, is a good source of vitamins and fiber, and it is even moderately resistant to deer damages! The fruit, when ripe, is yellow-green and bulblike. It is classified as a passion fruit, and its pulp is used in many jams, jellies, and even desserts! The root of the plant is also often used in herbal medications for its soothing and sleep promoting properties, treating disorders such as insomnia and anxiety. Maypops are considered mildly invasive. Their aggressive growth through tendrils and rhizomes help them to grow 20-25 feet in as little as a year!  (Information found at phillyorchards.org) (All pictures used on this account were...

      It is in our nature to want to pick flowers on the side of the road just because they're pretty, but how often do we know how beneficial they can actually be? Believe it or not, some flowers are edible, offer medicinal properties, and can even support the ecosystem, and they are sitting right in your back yard! Backwoods Botanicals is a platform I created to help people identify what plants it is safe to eat from one bloom at a time!