Plants in Central Massachusetts

These pages show plants in the central Massachusetts area. These pictures were taken over the spring and summer, to follow the plants through their lifecycle. Over the fall and winter I hope to add more pictures and descriptions. If you have any suggestions, or particularly if you can identify any of the “unknowns”, please let me know!

A word of caution

You are responsible for what you eat!

Many edible plants have lookalikes that are extremely poisonous. Be very sure you have correctly identified a plant before eating it. A good rule of thumb is to use three references (books, the web, etc.) to identify the plant, because different references sometimes emphasize different features. Even then if you are not sure, don’t eat it!

Some edible plants are poisonous when raw, and need to be cooked or otherwise specially prepared to become safe to eat. You must know how to prepare them before eating them. Finally, you may be allergic to some plants. If you have not tried them before, try just a little bit the first time.

Plant pictures can be seen as flashcards here.

Plant Listing

Arrowhead, Common
Arrowwood
Autumn Olive
Barberry, European
Bedstraw, White
Birch, Black
Boneset
Broccoli, Wild
Burdock
Butterfly Weed
Calamus
Catalpa, Common
Cattail, Common
Cherry, Black
Cherry, Choke
Cleavers
Dandelion, Common
Dock, Broadleaf
Dock, Curly
Dogbane, Spreading
Elder, Common
Enchanters Nightshade
Fern, Bracken
Geranium, Wild
Goldenrod
Grape, Fox
Grape, Riverside
Ground Cherry
Groundsel
Hazelnut
Hemlock, Water
Hickory, Shagbark
Honeysuckle, Bush
Japanese Knotweed
Jewelweed
Joe-Pye-Weed
Knapweed, Spotted
Lamb’s Quarters
Lettuce, Wild
Lily, Day
Lily, Sweet Scented Water
Marsh Marigold
Mayflower, Canada
Milkweed, Common
Mint, Wild
Morel, Yellow
Motherwort, Common
Mulberry
Mullein, Common
Mustard, Garlic
Mustard, Tower
Nettle, Stinging
Onion, Wild
Partridgeberry
Peppergrass, Wild
Plantain, Common
Poke
Queen Annes Lace
Raspberry, Black
Rose, Multiflora
Rose, Swamp
Rough-Fruited Cinquefoil
Salsify
Sarsaparilla, Bristly
Smartweed, Common
Solomon’s Seal, False
Sorrel, Yellow Wood
Spicebush
Sumac, Staghorn
Sweetfern
Teasel
Thistle
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Birds Foot Trefoil
Unknown 2
Unknown 5
Unknown 6
Unknown 11
Unknown 14
Vetch, Common
Vetch, Hairy
Violet, Common Blue
Virginia Creeper
Winter Cress, Common
Yarrow
Yucca

Common Arrowhead


08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Arrowwood


09/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	09/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	09/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	09/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	09/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard


09/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard

Description

Is this Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum), Northern Arrowwood (Viburnum recognitum), or a different Arrowwood?

Autumn Olive

05/17/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

In bloom, has fragrant flowers.

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Not much fruit … ?

07/07/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Early berries

European Barberry


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard


08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Yellow hanging flowers, 12 flowers per cluster (Japanese Barberry has single flowers).

White Bedstraw(Wild Madder)


06/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	06/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	06/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard

Description

Related to Cleavers.

Black Birch

Description

Same oil as Wintergreen, chemically related to aspirin.

Boneset


07/25/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/25/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/25/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard


08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Wild Broccoli


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Burdock


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Looks like Broad Leaf Dock, but has fine wool under leaf. Root and flowerstalk (when 2′) are edible – boil.

Butterfly Weed


07/13/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/13/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	08/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	08/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Calamus(Sweet Flag)

05/17/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Spadix

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Among grasses

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Red base

Description

Aromatic

Looks like cattail (which is edible)
Looks like iris (which is not edible)
Is not rare

Common Catalpa

06/19/2007
Stow Rd, Harvard

Leaf

06/19/2007
Stow Rd, Harvard

Leaves and flowers

06/19/2007
Stow Rd, Harvard

Flowers

Common Cattail

06/19/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Immature green flower head

07/11/2007
The Bromfield School, Harvard


07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Black Cherry


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/01/2007 Mt. Monadnock, Jaffrey, NH	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Harvesting doesn’t affect the plant’s sustainability.

Choke Cherry

05/17/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Flower

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Early fruit

Cleavers(Bedstraw, Goose Grass)


07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Common Dandelion


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Harvest the little buds in the center of the rosette when the plant is young.

Broadleaf Dock

06/07/2007
Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Young plant

06/07/2007
Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Ready to seed

07/03/2007
Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Flower

Curly Dock


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Related to Sorrel

Harvest the tender leaves from the center
Blanch to remove bitterness – about 20 seconds
Antidote to Stinging Nettle
Leaves in Spring and Fall
Medicinal name = Yellow Dock – yellow taproot – helps assimilate iron

Spreading Dogbane


06/23/2007 Eldridge Rd, Harvard	06/23/2007 Eldridge Rd, Harvard	06/23/2007 Eldridge Rd, Harvard	07/11/2007 Codman Hill Rd, Harvard	07/11/2007 Codman Hill Rd, Harvard

Description

Toxic, but very strong fibers.

Common Elder


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard


06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard


07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Dry or cook the berries. See Elderberry – The Medicine Chest of the Common People

Enchanters Nightshade


07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Bracken Fern


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Three branches

Wild Geranium


06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Goldenrod


07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard


08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Fox Grape(Concord Grape)


09/13/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	09/13/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	09/13/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	09/13/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard

Description

Smaller fruit, about 1/4″-1/2″ diameter. Leaves are good for stuffed grape leaves.

Riverside Grape

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Early fruit

09/13/2007
Stow Rd, Harvard


09/13/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard

Ground Cherry


07/25/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Groundsel


07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Hazelnut

05/17/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Leaves

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Leaves

Water Hemlock


06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard


08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Warning: This plant is extremely toxic! The water hemlocks are the most poisonous plants in North America. A small mouthful can kill an adult. This plant is so toxic, it’s best to avoid handling it if possible. If you do, wash your hands thoroughly immediately after handling.

See:

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/plant27.htm

Wildwood Survival – Poisonous Plants – Water Hemlock

Shagbark Hickory


07/11/2007 The Bromfield Library, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield Library, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield Library, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield Library, Harvard

Bush Honeysuckle


07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Invasive

Japanese Knotweed


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	06/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	06/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard

Description

Harvest when young, shoots up to 8″ tall. Prepare like rhubarb (goes well with strawberries). Source of resveratrol.

Jewelweed


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Seeds taste like walnut. Antidote for poison ivy – apply before or soon after exposure.

Joe-Pye-Weed


07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard


07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Spotted Knapweed


07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Lamb’s Quarters


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Wild Lettuce


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Like all lettuces, has milky juice. The terminal lobe is skinny on the mild one (it’s wide on the bitter cousin pictured here).

Day Lily


07/03/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/03/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/03/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Sweet Scented Water Lily

06/19/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

In flower

Marsh Marigold(Marsh Cowslip)


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Rare – harvest ethically. Harvest before flowers bloom, must boil twice.

Canada Mayflower

05/17/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Flowers

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Berries

Description

Red berries are good in the Fall

Common Milkweed


06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard


07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Don’t confuse with marsh milkweed – the common milkweed is the only edible one.

Has milky juice
Boil 7 minutes
When young, Spreading Dogbane is a lookalike (and is toxic).
Fibers of dried stalks are strong and can be woven into cord.

Wild Mint


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Square stem

Opposite leaves
Aromatic
Likes damp meadow areas

Yellow Morel


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

These were found at the right tim in Spring, after several days rain, under an Elm. Must cook. Harvesting doesn’t affect the plant’s sustainability.

Common Motherwort


06/23/2007 Eldridge Rd, Harvard

Mulberry

05/17/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Early fruit

06/23/2007
Eldridge Rd, Harvard

Early fruit

Common Mullein

06/19/2007
Stow Rd, Harvard

Early stalk

07/07/2007
Rt 111, Harvard

Flowering

07/07/2007
Rt 111, Harvard

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Dried stalk

Garlic Mustard

05/17/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

Seed pods

Description

Invasive. Harvest when young, boil to remove strong flavor.

Tower Mustard


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Stinging Nettle

05/17/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

06/10/2007
Delaney Park, Harvard

06/23/2007
Eldridge Rd, Harvard

Closeup of top

06/23/2007
Eldridge Rd, Harvard

Aphids and ant

Description

Harvest the top 2″ when young

Wear gloves, or pick carefully
Sting is removed by heat – steam or boil, like spinach
High in Vitamin C and Calcium

Wild Onion


08/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Description

Flowers, bulbs are edible.

Partridgeberry

Wild Peppergrass


06/26/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/26/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/26/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Common Plantain


06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Antidote to bee sting – crush and rub on the sting.

Poke


07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard

Queen Annes Lace(Wild Carrot)


07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard

Black Raspberry


06/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	06/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	06/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/03/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Multiflora Rose


06/19/2007 Rt 111, Harvard	06/19/2007 Rt 111, Harvard	06/19/2007 Rt 111, Harvard

Description

Invasive.

Swamp Rose


07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Rough-Fruited Cinquefoil


06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Salsify


07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Bristly Sarsaparilla


07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Based on the thinner leaves, this looks more like Bristly Sarsaparilla (Aralia hispida) than Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis).

Common Smartweed


06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard


08/15/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

False Solomon’s Seal


06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Yellow Wood Sorrel


06/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	06/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Spicebush


06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

The bark, when scratched, has a distinctive spice odor. Berries can be harvested in Fall, ground in mortar and pestle, and used as spice.

Staghorn Sumac

06/23/2007
Eldridge Rd, Harvard

Young tree

06/23/2007
Eldridge Rd, Harvard

Top of tree, immature seeds

Sweetfern


06/23/2007 Eldridge Rd, Harvard

Teasel


06/07/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	06/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	06/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	06/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard


07/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard


07/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	07/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	08/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard


08/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	08/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	08/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard	08/17/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Thistle


07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard	07/11/2007 The Bromfield School, Harvard

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)


07/07/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	07/07/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	07/07/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	07/07/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	07/07/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard

Birds Foot Trefoil


06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Unknown 2


06/07/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Unknown 5


06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

purple loosestrife or swamp loosestrife

Unknown 6


06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

wormwood? need a better picture …

Unknown 11


07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/07/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

This looks like Glossy Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). Need to revisit and see if the leaves are still green and berries are black.

Unknown 14


07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	07/20/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Common Smartweed lookalike.

Common Vetch(Spring Vetch)


06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/19/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Hairy Vetch


06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard

Common Blue Violet


06/23/2007 Jacob Gates Rd, Harvard

Description

All Violets are edible.

Virginia Creeper


06/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard	06/19/2007 Stow Rd, Harvard

Common Winter Cress(Yellow Rocket)


05/17/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard

Description

Yellow flowers

Yarrow


06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/10/2007 Delaney Park, Harvard	06/23/2007 Eldridge Rd, Harvard	06/23/2007 Eldridge Rd, Harvard

Yucca


06/19/2007 Rt 111, Harvard

Description

The petals on the tall flowerstalk are edible. The leaves have very strong fibers, and the root can be used as soap.