Butternut (Juglans cinerea) is a native tree with edible nuts. It can be found in rich soil and abandoned fields. Populations in Connecticut are decreasing due to a fungal disease called butternut cancer. Butternut, also known as white walnut, can be identified by its compound leaves with up to 19 toothed leaflets. Nuts are encased […] The post Juglans cinerea – Butternut appeared first on Eat The Planet.| Eat The Planet
Fox grapes (Vitis labrusca) are our largest native grape species. They are the ancestor to the Concord grape. Fox grapes can be found in partial to full sun at forest edges, woodland clearings, and along rivers. The vine is often seen climbing up trees and fences. Fox grapes can be identified by their leaves which […] The post Vitis labrusca – Fox Grapes appeared first on Eat The Planet.| Eat The Planet
Marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) is the plant that marshmallows came from. It is an introduced perennial that can be found in marshes and wetlands. Marsh mallow can be identified by its velvety leaves and pale flowers with five petals. Flowers become green, wheel-shaped fruits in early fall. The entire plant is edible, but extremely mucilaginous. […] The post Althaea officinalis – Marsh mallow appeared first on Eat The Planet.| Eat The Planet
Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) is a native perennial with edible pods that are similar to cultivated peas. Beach pea can be found along beaches in New England. The beach pea can be identified by its compound leaves and purple flowers that become pods in late summer. Pods are purplish at first, ripening to green. Shoots […] The post Lathyrus japonicus – Beach Pea appeared first on Eat The Planet.| Eat The Planet
Glasswort (Salicornia spp.) is a native, edible plant with salty, succulent stems. It can be found in salt marshes and coastal areas. Glasswort, also called samphire or sea bean, can be identified by its cylindrical stems that are greenish in the summer, turning reddish in the fall. The tender tips of the stems can be […]| Eat The Planet
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) is a native perennial that can be found in shallow water such as the edges of ponds. Pickerelweed can be identified by its heart-shaped leaves with rounded lobes. Clusters of lavender flowers shoot up above the leaves from flower stalks. Young leaves are edible raw or cooked. Seeds can be eaten raw, […] The post Pontederia cordata – Pickerelweed appeared first on Eat The Planet.| Eat The Planet
White sweet clover (Melilotus albus) is a non-native plant with edible uses. It can be found in disturbed soil that receives full sun. White sweet clover, also known as melilot, can be identified by its compound leaves divided into three leaflets and clusters of small white flowers. Young leaves can be used in a […] The post Melilotus albus – White sweet clover appeared first on Eat The Planet.| Eat The Planet
Water shield (Brasenia schreberi) is a native perennial with edible leaves. Water shield can be found in shallow lakes, ponds, and rivers. It can be identified by oval leaves with a reddish stem attaching to the middle of the leaf. All underwater parts of the plant are coated with jelly-slime. Purple flowers emerge from the […] The post Brasenia schreberi – Water shield appeared first on Eat The Planet.| Eat The Planet
Sea blite (Suaeda maritima) is an edible plant that can be found along beaches and salt marshes. The subspecies that grows in CT is considered non-native. Sea blite can be identified by its fleshy, almost cylindrical leaves. It produces pale green flowers late summer-fall. Sea blite is edible raw or cooked. It has a salty […] The post Suaeda maritima – Sea blite appeared first on Eat The Planet.| Eat The Planet
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) is a native shrub whose leaves were used as a caffeine-free tea substitute during the Revolutionary War. New Jersey tea can be found in dry soil with full sun. New Jersey tea can be identified by its alternate, finely toothed leaves that have three prominent veins. Older stems are reddish-brown. […] The post Ceanothus americanus – New Jersey Tea appeared first on Eat The Planet.| Eat The Planet
Adjacent States Maryland, Virginia 1. April Thompson April Thompson is a writer, forager, and instructor focused on teaching about delicious and nutritious uses for common wild plants and fungi available in the urban environment. She is available for private gatherings in addition to her regularly scheduled walks and workshops in Washington, DC. Visit her website […]| Eat The Planet
The Cornflower bolete (Gyroporus cyanescens) is an edible bolete that stains an intense shade of blue. The cornflower bolete, also known as the bluing bolete, fruits summer-fall in sandy soil. It can associate with conifers or hardwoods. The mushroom can be identified by its stem and cap that are woolly and pale olive to yellowish […]| Eat The Planet
Golden oysters (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) are a potentially invasive edible species of mushroom. Golden oysters are commonly cultivated on outdoor logs. They were first found in the wild having escaped cultivation in 2014 and have been spreading ever since. Golden oysters can be found on hardwood logs, especially elm and beech. They fruit spring to fall. […]| Eat The Planet
Common amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) is a native annual with edible leaves, stems, and seeds. It can be found in farms and gardens where it is usually considered a weed. The plant prefers full sun and disturbed soil. Common amaranth has reddish stems, leaves with wavy edges, green flowers, and black seeds. Leaves are best harvested […]| Eat The Planet
The umbrella polypore (Polyporus umbellatus) is a rare, choice edible mushroom. It can be found at the base of hardwood trees, acting as a weak parasite or a saprobe. They fruit spring-fall. The mushroom can be found at the same spot year after year. The mushroom is composed of umbrella-shaped caps that emerge from a […]| Eat The Planet
The Golden chanterelle (Cantharellus spp.) is a choice edible summer mushroom. There are multiple species of golden chanterelles in the northeast that can be difficult to distinguish without DNA sequencing. The golden chanterelle can be found June-September. It prefers heat and humidity. Look for the mushroom a few days after heavy rains. The golden chanterelle […]| Eat The Planet
King bolete (Boletus edulis clade) is a group of mushrooms that are the most prized of the bolete mushrooms. King boletes, also known as porcini or penny bun, can grow summer-fall, 1-2 days after a heavy rain. They form mycorrhizal associations with a variety of tree species including pine, spruce, oak, and beech. King boletes […]| Eat The Planet