Category: Native plants

Native to the southeastern United States, the American beautyberry ($Callicarpa americana$) is renowned for its striking, iridescent purple fruit. Knowing how to tell when American Beauty berries are ripe is crucial for foragers seeking to harvest them for jams, jellies, or other culinary creations. A ripe berry can be the difference between a flavorful treat and an unpalatable, astringent mouthful.

While the coontie palm (Zamia integrifolia) has a fascinating history of being processed for starch, its seeds are notoriously toxic to humans and animals. The critical question, are coontie palm seeds edible?, is met with a definitive and life-threatening warning against consumption.

While related to the common blueberry, the sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) is not nearly as palatable to humans, despite being edible. This wild, native berry is more commonly left for wildlife to enjoy due to its drier texture and large, numerous seeds. Foragers and gardeners interested in native flora should understand the plant's characteristics and culinary uses before harvesting.

While some species of coneflower are non-toxic, *Rudbeckia laciniata*, commonly known as cutleaf coneflower, is considered slightly toxic to livestock. This native perennial has been used medicinally and culinarily by humans, but its potential to cause adverse effects in grazing animals requires caution, particularly for those with a farm or livestock nearby.

Native to eastern North America, the narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) is a perennial celebrated for its bright yellow, day-blooming flowers. Beyond its ornamental value, what is the narrowleaf evening primrose used for, with its purposes ranging from attracting wildlife to culinary dishes and traditional remedies?

Historically, various Native American tribes used partridge berry leaves to create a tea intended to assist in childbirth. Today, it is more commonly used for its decorative appeal and as a supplementary wild edible, making it crucial to understand how to use partridge berry safely.

Historically, chokecherries were a vital food source and medicine for many Native American tribes. Today, people still question what are chokecherries used for, given their famously astringent taste when eaten fresh.

Native to coastal regions across tropical America and Africa, the cocoplum plant (*Chrysobalanus icaco*) is utilized for a surprising variety of purposes, including edible fruit, landscaping, and traditional medicine. It is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree highly valued in its native range for both its practical and ecological benefits.

Pacific Madrone berries serve as a crucial food source for a variety of birds and mammals, including cedar waxwings and raccoons. This fact stands in stark contrast to the persistent myth that asks, "are madrone berries toxic?". The berries are, in fact, edible for humans in moderation, but a high tannin content gives them an unpleasant astringent taste and can cause stomach cramps if too many are eaten.

Historically used by Native Americans and early Mormon settlers in the American West, Mormon tea is derived from the stems of the *Ephedra* plant and does not contain caffeine. So, what does Mormon tea taste like, and is this traditional beverage still relevant today?