AKAIndian Turnip, Wild turnip, arum, three-leaved arum, dragon-turnip, brown dragon, devil’s-ear, marsh turnip, swamp turnip, meadow turnip, bog onion, priest’s-pintle, lords-and-ladies.
I’ve always referred to this plant as Indian Turnip. Because of the big pod of red berries, people that ginseng know this plant very well. From a distance they can be mistaken for the berries [...]
When I took the photo above it was because of the bright red in the middle of all the green. It may as well had been a lighthouse. At the time I didn’t know what it was called. After researching, I found it is called the Cardinal Flower. A favorite among the hummingbird crowd. This [...]
I learned something from researching Garlic Mustard. I have known for quite awhile the plant by sight. But I didn’t know that it spread so rapidly and is considered an invasive species. The plant actually originated in Europe and was thought to be brought to the US for either food or medicine.
Benefits: [...]
AKA- squaw-root, papoose-root
Uses- Native Americans used various preparations of the root of Blue Cohosh medicinally to treat rheumatism, toothaches, profuse menstruation, indigestion and stomach cramps, fits and hysterics, genito-urinary dysfunction, gallstones, and fever, as an aid in childbirth, and as a general tonic.http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CATH2
Seeing this plant all over the mountains, up until a couple of [...]
I remember years ago going out with my parents and grandparents to pick greens in the Spring. Poke, Creecy (Wintercress), and Mustard. Poke Salet is another early Spring arrival. The best place to find poke greens is right along the edge of old mountain roads (gaswell, stripmine). Do not be tempted by its delicacy to [...]
I wasn’t planning on a back to back plant post but going to work these last few days it’s really hard not to notice West Virginia’s State Flower, the Rhododendron, in full bloom.
I had to stop by Jimmy’s Produce in Glen Daniel’s on my way home today. The urge was to strong. I had to [...]
Round these parts this plant is commonly referred to as rattleweed and is actually pretty abundant although in a few other states the plant is considered endangered.
The following info came from here…NC State University
Botanical InformationBlack cohosh [Actaea racemosa (L.) formerly Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt] is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. It is a native [...]
Common NamesCommon mayapple, devil’s apple, duck’s foot, ground lemon, hog apple, Indian apple, mandrake, mayapple, podophyllum, racoonberry, umbrella plant, vegetable calomel, vegetable mercury, wild jalap, wild lemon, wild mandrake, yellowberry.DescriptionAn erect perennial that grows to about 1 to 11/2 feet in height. Two umbrella-like, palmately lobed leaves grow at the top of each plant, rarely [...]
This is a good time for another West Virginia plant post.
Stinging NettleIf you get into a patch of nettle you will know it. The plant usually grows in fairly large patches and can grow to a height of about 4 feet. It will sting you if your bare skin touches it. The sting feels a [...]
