Rockcress: Drummond's

Drummond's Rockcress (Arabis drummondii)

This small plant blooms fairly early in the spring.  It is not all that conspicuous so can be easily overlooked.  The leaves are edible.

2010 April 17

2010 April 17

2010 April 18

Gooseberry: Black

Black Gooseberry (Ribes lacustre)

2009 August 10

I have mostly found the Northern Gooseberry in our area but have found the odd bush of Blacks. Click on the picture and notice how prickly the berries are ... Northern Gooseberries are smooth.

These can be eaten fresh or cooked into jams and jellies. Be careful picking them though, because the spines can cause an allergic reaction in some.

Twin Flower

"Twin Flower" (Linnaea borealis)

2007 June 14

2007 June 14

2007 June 25

I first found this dainty, little flower in our own back yard but then spotted it near the many woodland paths near our place.

Shooting Star

"Few-Flowered Shooting Star" (Dodecatheon pulchellium)

20008 May 20

2008 May 20

2008 May 20

Some First Nations people made an eyewash from an infusion of this plant, others made a charm out of the flowers in aide of increasing their wealth. A very pretty, dainty flower, I was just happy to come across a few of these up on the look-out bluff.

Rose

There are various wild roses in our area. I'm only getting into this so didn't know to take the time and individually photograph them. Come spring 2008, I'll try to watch out for the various species more carefully. With help, these have been identified as:

"Clustered Wild Rose" or "Peafruit Rose" (Rosa pisocarpa)

2007 June 7

2007 June 7

2007 June 12

Rose Hips are very high in Vitamin C as well as other good things. When my Mom heard this, I was about 8, she had us all go out and collect buckets of these things. She proceeded to make jam. All I can remember thinking was, "Yuk"! If you do want to sample, just eat the outer part, not the seeds. The seeds can be pressed for the oil they contain, which is used in the cosmetic/spa world as a regenerative for the skin. Critters such as coyotes and bears also eat rose hips.

The wild rose is very difficult to get rid of from your garden as it has a very well developed root system that travels for ever! Tell me about it ... I have pulled out any suspicious root or piece of root in my vegetable garden ... and a rose still, occasionally, pops up. But in the back yard, which has been left wild, they can grow all they like.

Rose petals may be eaten (a pretty addition to salads) and leaves can also be used for and in tonics.

Pussytoes

I have found at least 4 different kinds of Pussytoes growing in our area. I think they are quite homely but they don't look too bad in the photos and up close!

"Field Pussytoes" (Antennaria neglecta)

2007 June 18

2007 June 17

"Rosy Pussytoes" (Antennaria rosea)

2008 May 24

2007 June 18

2007 June 18

"Showy Pussytoes" (Antennaria pulcherrima)

2008 June 2

2008 June 2

2008 June 25

2008 June 25

"Umber Pussytoes" (Antennaria umbrinella)

2007 June 22

2007 June 22

2007 June 25

2007 June 25

2007 June 25

Prince's Pine

"Prince's Pine" (Chimaphila umbellata)

2008 May 7

2008 May 7

2008 May 7

2008 May 19

2008 May 27

2008 May 31

2008 June 4

2008 June 27

2008 July 2

2008 July 22

2008 July 22

2008 July 22

2008 October 19

I was looking at lichen one day in the spring when I noticed this plant growing nearby. I had never noticed it before and began to watch it unfold. I was reward by these amazing flowers.

This plant is apparently a root parasite so won't grow just anywhere. I'm fortunate to have it at the back of our property. Its Cree name is pipisisikweu meaning, it breaks into small pieces. The leaves were purported to contain a substance that dissolves kidney stones. The leaves, stems and roots were made into a tea to be used as a beverage or for colds and sore throats. It is used as a flavouring in root beer.

Here are some notes from the Montana Plant Life site:

"Edible Uses:
The leaves of Prince's Pine can be nibbled, brewed into a tea or used as a flavoring in root beer. They have a delicious scent and flavor. An extract of the leaves is used to flavor candy and soft drinks. In Mexico the herb is used in the preparation of 'navaitai', an alcoholic beverage produced from sprouted maize. A tea can be made from an infusion of the stems and roots.

Medicinal Uses:
Pipsissewa was much used by many tribes of native North American Indians to induce sweating and treat fevers, including typhus. The plant contains hydroquinones which have a pronounced disinfectant effect within the urinary tract and modern day herbalism mainly employs the plant to treat urinary problems such as cystitis and urethritis.
The whole plant is antibacterial, and has agents that induce urination, cause tissue to contract, induce sweating, cause reddening or irritation when applied to the skin, that act as a stimulant and tonic, and that gradually restore health. A tea is used in the treatment of various problems related to the urinary system, it is also prescribed for more serious conditions such as kidney stones and gonorrhea. A decoction is very efficacious in the treatment of skin diseases. Used externally, the fresh leaves are rubefacient and internally they are of great use in cardiac and kidney diseases, chronic rheumatism and scrofula. Only the leaves are officinal, though the whole plant is often used.
The plant is loaded with the biologically active compounds arbutin, sitosterol and ursolic acid. Arbutin hydrolyzes to the toxic urinary antiseptic hydroquinone. The plant contains glycosides and an essential oil that are used as an astringent and tonic. The plant is harvested when in flower, and the leaves on their own can be harvested during the growing season. They are dried for later use. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves. It is used in the treatment of inflammations of the urinary system."

Old Man's Whiskers

"Old Man's Whiskers" (Geum triflorum):

2007 June 19

2007 June 19

2007 June 19

2007 June 18

Bad Hair Day!

2007 June 19

2008 July 4
Going Bald

2008 July 4
Gone to Seed

2008 July 4

2007 June 22
This particular plant was interesting in that it had both plain and variegated leaves. I only found the variegated leaves in this little grouping of plants. The plants with the variegated leaves seemed to only produce wizened little flowers.

2007 June 19

A plant that is more interesting close up than from afar!

It seems this was a "lady's" plant, being used by the women to treat yeast infections and as a love potion! The roots may be made into a tea. For more ways this plant was or can be used, see this site.