Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen (Eatwild@Rcn.Com

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Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Acer negundo Box Elder Yes small to medium tree wetlands and other damp a species of Maple; sap may be tapped + areas; floodplains boiled down for syrup Acer rubrum Maple, Red Yes medium to large tree red maple swamps (of can be tapped for sap like Sugar Maple course) Acer saccharinum Maple, Silver Yes medium to large tree forested floodplains and can be tapped for sap like Sugar Maple other wet ground Acer saccharum Maple, Sugar Yes medium to large tree hardwood forests; sap is source of maple syrup and sugar roadsides Acorus americanus Sweet Flag Yes herbaceous perennial wet fields and meadows; the similarly-appearing A. calamus is (Calamus) sunny wetlands; along apparently non-native to MA waterways Allium tricoccum Wild Leek (Ramps) Yes herbaceous perennial rich woods over-collecting by commercial diggers is harming ramps + habitat - pick 1 leaf/plant only Amelanchier spp. Juneberry/Shadbush Yes Shrub/small tree likes to grow near water, fruit ripe in late June; flavor is a cross but often planted in parks between cherries and almonds and other landscaped areas Amphicarpaea bracteata Hog Peanut Yes herbaceous perennial damp spots in woods w/ small subterranean tubers are available from vine some sun; often on old late summer onward; tiny peas are edible woods roads too Angelica atropurpurea Angelica Yes herbaceous perennial wet ground along rivers and to 6 ft -large spherical streams, in full or partial flower cluster sun Angelica lucida Seacoast Angelica Yes herbaceous perennial rocky areas near the ocean Apios americana Groundnut Yes herbaceous perennial damp sandy, open areas, edible tubers (available year-round) + beans vine often near waterways Argentina (Potentilla) Silverweed, Yes herbaceous perennial salt marshes - a closely- starchy root is edible - leaves may be used egedii Saltmarsh related species (A. anserina) for tea may grow elsewhere Asarum canadense*(see Wild Ginger*(see Yes herbaceous perennial rich woods *NOTE: while the plant's roots give off a NOTE) NOTE) gingery aroma, the plant has carcinogens so DO NOT CONSUME

Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Asclepias syriaca Milkweed, Common Yes herbaceous perennial old fields; field edges; plant has at least four parts that are edible roadsides after boiling 7 minutes Asimina triloba Pawpaw No* small tree (to 20 ft.) understory tree in rich non-native to MA - Native to Zone 7+, but woods will grow in sheltered microclimates to Zone 5 Atriplex spp. Orache Yes* annual herb Grows at/just above the A. patula is non-native to MA; A. cristata and "wrack" (high tide) line littoralis are native; young leaves are edible Betula alleghaniensis Yellow Birch Yes medium to large tree hardwood forests peeled twigs used for tea - sap can be drunk or boiled down to a molasses-like syrup Betula lenta Black Birch Yes medium to large tree pioneer species for cleared peeled twigs used for tea - sap can be drunk areas and regenerating or boiled down to a molasses-like syrup forest Bistorta vivipara Alpine Bistort No herbaceous perennial mountain summits and Only occurs in colder microclimates in (Polygonum viviparum) open rocky cold areas northern New England + further north - "rare" status in ME+NH Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold Yes herbaceous perennial - wooded swamps, usually young leaves harvested sparingly before the (Cowslip) spring ephemeral near small streams plants bloom are edible after boiling wildflower Cardamine (Dentaria) spp. Toothwort Yes herbaceous perennial - understory plant in rich root has horseradish flavor - be careful not spring ephemeral woods to disturb listed (protected) species in the wildflower genus Carya ovata Hickory, Shagbark Yes medium to large tree roadsides, field edges, best trees for foraging are in the open and hardwood forests get lots of sun - nuts ripen in late September Castanea dentata Chestnut, American Yes small to medium tree hardwood forests; field trees can occasionally get large enough to (before blight hits edges; roadsides produce viable nuts before blight hits them) Ceanothus americanus New Jersey Tea Yes herb fields and field and road leaves used for tea edges Celtis occidentalis Hackberry Yes medium-sized tree damp areas with some good both thin-fleshed fruit and starchy seed are sun exposure; will grow edible near water Cercis canadensis Redbud No small tree (to 15 feet) understory tree in limey or not native to MA - Found only in SW N.E. + fertile soil further south, but will grow to Zone 5

Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Chamaepericlymenum Bunchberry Yes ground cover about 5- northern and otherwise red berries are almost tasteless but edible canadense 6" high cooler woodlands; likes some sun Chamerion (Epilobium) Fireweed Yes annual? pioneer species following young shoots and pith in older stems are angustifolium fires or clearcuts - like cool edible climate Chenopodium capitatum Strawberry-Blite No annual rocky areas, esp. near the more likely to be spotted in northern New ocean England and further northward Claytonia virginica + Spring Beauty Yes* herbaceous perennial - rich woods and wooded *C. virginica listed as endangered in MA - caroliniana spring ephemeral floodplains - generally not edible tubers ("fairy spuds") and foliage wildflower found in acidic soils Clintonia borealis Clintonia (Corn Lily Yes herbaceous perennial common in acidic young (to 3") leaves are edible and taste like or Blue Bead Lily) ground cover woodlands in N. NE and cucumber cool woods further S Comptonia peregrina Sweet Fern Yes Small shrub open areas; sandy/gravelly leaves used for tea; small seeds are edible soil too Corylus americana Hazelnut, Common Yes shrub old fields, clearings, nuts are ripe the second week of September roadsides, often under power lines Corylus cornuta Hazelnut, Beaked Yes shrub old fields, clearings, overlaps with but tends to range further roadsides, often under north than C. americana power lines Crataegus spp. Hawthorn Yes* medium to large shrub old fields and field edges fruits are red when ripe and vary in size and flavor Diospyros virginiana Persimmon No* mediium-sized tree old fields non-native to MA - Native to Zone 7+ but will grow in lower-numbered zones in suitable microclimates Epigaea repens` Trailing Arbutus Yes prostrate plant openings in acidic edible part are the spicy-scented flowers, (Mayflower) woodlands; sloping sides of which are the state flower of MA paths + woods roads - likes some sun Erythronium americanum Trout Lily, Dogtooth Yes herbaceous perennial - rich woods; wooded plant is reputedly nausea-inducing if you eat Violet spring ephemeral floodplains; woods with rich too much wildflower humus layer 3

Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Fagus grandifolia Beech Yes medium to large tree often found in hardwood nuts ripen in September; best trees for forests foraging grow in the open Fragaria virginiana Wild Strawberry Yes herb to 2" high old fields; mowed areas; the fruit are small nut delectable; species roadsides likes cooler climate Gaultheria hispidula Creeping Snowberry Yes prostrate, diminutive cool, partial-to-full sun white berries the same size and flavor of vine - spots - often on old tree wintergreen "Tic-Tacs" stumps Gaultheria procumbens Wintergreen Yes perennial to 5" high ground cover in acidic leaves used for tea - berries also edible woodlands - can tolerate (though not very sweet) sun Gaylussacia baccata Huckleberry, Black Yes small shrub (to 3' tall) acidic woodlands and black fruit ripens a bit later than blueberries clearings common understory plant in oak forests Gaylussacia frondosa Dangleberry (Blue Yes Shrub understory plant in damp blue fruit ripens several weeks after the Huckleberry) woods - occasionally grows blueberries in the open or partial shade Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem Artichoke Yes herbaceous perennial field edges floodplains; likes a Sunflower cousin with edible tubers full sun Hibiscus moscheutos Rose Mallow Yes shrub in wet open meadows or in species is related to the Marsh Mallow wet ground along (Althaea officinalis), for which the confection waterways was named Honckenya peploides Beach Greens Yes annual? Grows in sandy areas near (Seabeach high tide line Sandwort) Hydrophyllum virginianum Waterleaf, Virginia Yes herb rich woods Is sporadic in N.E.; more common S.+ W. - the related H. canadense is listed as Endangered in MA Impatiens biflora or pallida Jewelweed Yes annual damp meadows and edible seeds taste like walnuts woodlands; doesn't like full sun Juglans cinerea Butternut Yes medium -sized tree (to old fields; field edges; nut inside egg-shaped husks/shells are 40 ft.) roadsides milder than Black Walnuts

Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Juglans nigra Black Walnut No* medium to large tree old fields; field *Not considered native to MA (native further edges/roadsides S.) but now grows wild there - nuts ripen in October Lactuca canadensis Wild Lettuce Yes annual field edges; old fields; of the several wild species of Lactuca, this is woods road edges; the most palatable roadsides Lathyrus japonicus var. Beach Pea Yes annual dunes and other seaside the tender green peas inside the pods are maritimus areas above high tide line edible in moderation Ligusticum scothicum Scotch Lovage Yes hebaceous perennial rocky areas near the ocean young leaves, stems taste like cultivated lovage (a relative of celery) Lindera benzoin Spicebush Yes shrub (to 12 ft. tall) understory tree in acidic twigs used for tea; berries may be dried + hardwoods, esp, near small ground up for a Szechuan pepper-like streams seasoning Lonicera villosa Northern/Mountain Yes small shrub rich woods Occurs more frequently in northern than Fly Honeysuckle southern New England (Waterberry) Lycopus uniflorus Bugleweed Yes herbaceous perennial damp meadows and pond a tuber-bearing wild mint shores Maianthemum canadense Canada Mayflower Yes herbacous diminutive acidic woodlands - tolerates small red berries are edible but reputedly (False Lily of the perennial ground cover shade well cathartic in large amounts Valley) Maianthemum or False Solomon's Seal Yes herbaceous perennial hardwood forests with rich edible shoots and berries (cathartic in large Smilacina racemosum humus layer amounts) Mattuecia struthiopteris Ostrich Fern Yes herbaceous perennial alluvial (silty) floodplain soil edible fiddleheads available in April; unsafe fern esp. in less acidic areas to eat raw Medeola virginiana Indian Cucumber Yes herbaceous perennial acidic, damp woods with harvesting the edible root kills the plant, so rich humus layer use sparingly - also don't pick rare orchid lookalike Mertensia maritima Oysterleaf Yes* herb rocky/shelly areas just *listed as Endangered in MA; more common above the high tide line in Northern/downeast Maine and further northward Michella repens Partridgeberry Yes herbaceous perennial ground cover in acidic pretty red berries are edible (but have woods, typically under almost no flavor) pines/hemlocks 5

Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Monarda didyma + Bee Balm/Oswego Yes herbaceous perennial field edges and roadsides - leaves used for tea and/or seasoning fistulosa Tea likes sun Morus alba Mulberry, White No Small to medium tree field edges; roadsides; fruit ripens in June tolerates urban conditions Morus rubra Mulberry, Red Yes* Small to medium tree field edges; roadsides; *native species (M. rubra) listed as tolerant of urban conditions Endangered in MA; non-native M. alba is common - hybrids also Myrica gale Sweet Gale Yes small shrub in acidic swamps and along aromatic leaves used for tea waterways Myrica pensylvanica Bayberry Yes Shrub open areas; sandy soil fresh leaves can be used as a substitute for commercial bay leaves Nelumbo lutea Lotus, American No herbaceous perennial shallow ponds and open *not native in MA; Native to Zone 7 or higher aquatic emergent marshy/swampy areas but will grow in Zone 5 Nuphar variegata Spatterdock, Cow Yes herbaceous perennial shallow portions of lakes, ripe seeds can reportedly be roasted in a Lily aquatic plant ponds and slow-moving skillet like popcorn rivers Nymphaea spp,. White Water Lily Yes aquatic plant shallow areas of lakes and ponds Oenothera biennis Evening Primrose Yes biennial old + cultivated fields, a native weed with an edible root roadsides, above high tide line Opuntia humifusa Eastern Prickly Pear Yes* small cactus dunes, barrier beaches and *listed as endangered in MA and very other sandy areas near uncommon in the wild in N.E.; more ocean common further south Osmorrhiza longystylis Sweet Cicely Yes herbaceous perennial rich woods; river whole plant smells and tastes like licorice; floodplains; tolerates shade closely related species (O. claytonii) does not well Oxalis montana Wood Sorrel, Yes herb to 3" high ground cover in acidic damp common in White Mountains; less common Mountain or White conifer woodlands further south Oxyria digyna Mountain Sorrel No small herb mountain tops and cool Only occurs in cold microhabitats in northern damp rocky areas New England and further northward

Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Panax trifolium Dwarf Ginseng Yes herbaceous perennial damp woods w/ good small, spherical tuber is edible - harvest only humus layer; often near when abundant streams Passiflora incarnata Passionfruit No* herbaceous vine railroad ballast and waste non-native to MA - Native to Zone 7 and (Maypops) places - likes full sun higher - can grow in lower zones in warmer microclimates Physalis spp. (*P. Ground Cherry, Husk Yes* annual edges of cultivated fields; ripe, tomato-like berries enclosed in papery heterophylla is native to Tomato likes sun husk (calyx) - ripens late summer onward MA) Phytolacca americana Pokeweed Yes herbaceous perennial field edges; roadsides; dirt only edible part are cooked shoots 4 -10" piles and other disturbed high (be sure to avoid the highly cathartic areas; likes sun root) Plantago maritima var. Seaside Plantain Yes herbaceous perennial rocky areas near the ocean be careful not to mix up with Arrowgrass, juncoides (Goosetongue) up to 10 " tall Triglochin maritima, which can be poisonous Podophyllum peltatum May Apple Yes* herbaceous perennial understory plant in *native status in MA is uncertain; ripe fruit is hardwood forests with rich only edible part of plant soil Polygonatum spp. Solomon's Seal Yes herbaceous perennial understory species in young shoots are edible hardwood forests with rich humus layer Pontedaria cordata Pickerelweed Yes herbaceous perennial shallow margins of lakes, young leaves and seeds are edible (but might aquatic emergent ponds and meandering not be tasty) rivers Prunus maritima Beach Plum Yes small shrubby tree (to 8 dunes and other sandy Can be found in sandy areas inland feet tall) areas near coastline Prunus pensylvanica Fire or Pin Cherry Yes small tree (up to 25 pioneer species colonizing bright red fruit is very small but pleasant- feet) clearings and old fields tasting - ripens in July Prunus serotina Black Cherry Yes medium to large tree pioneer species in cleared cherries ripen in the latter half of summer areas; field edges/roadsides Prunus virginiana Choke Cherry Yes shrubby small tree (to old fields; field edges; a bit more common in northern New England 12 ft.) roadsides; clearings - than southern NE tolerates cool climate

Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Fern Yes herbaceous perennial old fields; clearings; edible fiddleheads are tasty but carcinogenic fern tolerates drier conditions in large amounts; eat sparingly (if at all) than most other ferns Pycnanthemum spp. Mountain Mint Yes small herb edges of woods roads can be uncommon so use sparingly Quercus alba White Oak Yes medium to large tree hardwood forests; field acorns from this species tend to have lower edges; roadsides levels of tannic acid, thereby requiring less leaching Quercus bicolor Oak, Swamp White Yes medium to large tree wooded swamps; acorns have reputedly less tannic acid floodplains content than most other Oak species Quercus prinus Chestnut Oak Yes medium to large tree can tolerate dry, rocky acorns are edible after processing (leaching and/or sloping conditions out the tannic acid) Rhexia virginica Meadow Beauty Yes small herb wet open meadows and whole plant has tangy flavor; uncommon so lake/pond shorelines use sparingly Rhodiola rosea Roseroot No herbaceous perennial rocky exposed areas - Mostly found in cold rocky coastal habitats in usually close to the ocean Maine and further northward - roots smell like roses Rhododendron (Ledum) Labrador Tea No small shrub acidic, open rocky or boggy more common in northern New England and groenlandicum habitats further north Rhus glabra Sumac, Smooth Yes shrub old fields; field edges; red fruit used to make a pink lemonade-like roadsides drink Rhus hirta (typhina) Sumac, Staghorn Yes Shrub to 15 feet tall old fields; field edges; red fruit used to make a pink lemonade-like clearings drink Ribes triste and other spp. Currants/Gooseberri Yes* small perennials (up to understory plant in damp mixture of native/introduced species - all es 4' tall) w/ spindly woodlands; can also grow produce edible fruit branches near water Rosa spp. Wild Rose Yes* shrub old fields, swamps *The non-native Rosa rugosa is a better species for eating due to its large petals and hips Rubus chamaemorus Bakeapple Berry No herbaceous perennial boggy areas; seeps in open Mostly found in Northern New England (Cloudberry) (less than one foot tall) rocky areas Mountains and bogs and further north into Canada Rubus hispidus Dewberry Yes Prostrate blackberry old fields; clearings fruit has the same size, appearance and cousin flavor as upright blackberry species

Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Rubus idaeus Raspberry, Red Yes herbaceous perennial old fields; field edges; tea made from the fresh or thoroughly dried woods clearings leaves is edible, + medicinal for women Rubus occidentalis Raspberry, Black Yes herbaceous perennial likes field edges purplish-colored canes make the plants easy to spot in the "off-season" Rubus odoratus Flowering Raspberry Yes herbaceous perennial roadsides; wooded showy pink flower and large maple-like clearings; likes cool damp leaves; not thorny conditions Rubus spp. Blackberry Yes herbaceous perennial old fields; field R. allegheniensis, pensilvanicus + several edges/roadsides; clearings other spp. are native to MA Sagittaria latifolia Arrowhead (Wapato Yes herbaceous perennial shallow areas of lakes + edible tubers are available Oct.-Mar or Duck Potato) emergent aquatic ponds; sunny swamps Salicornia spp. Glasswort Yes herb Grows in salty areas in tender portions of plants can be eaten raw coastal marshes or pickled Sambucus canadensis Elderberry, Common Yes shrub (to 10 ft' tall) wet open meadows flowers used for beverages and fritters; ripe fruit edible after drying or cooking Sassafras albidum Sassafras Yes small tree (to 30 ft., but understory tree in aromatic root bark used for tea, candy, etc. - usually much smaller) hardwood forests; field young leaves are dried for file powder edges; roadsides Saxifraga spp. Saxifrage Yes herb woodland seeps, esp. non- young leaves of several species are edible acidic Schoenoplectus Bulrush, Common Yes herbaceous perennial shallow ponds and open the plant is reputed to be edible in a similar tabernaemontani (Soft-stemmed) emergent aquatic swamps fashion as cattail Smilax herbacea Carrion Flower Yes herbaceous perennial damp meadows + harvest, cook and eat shoots like Asparagus thornless vine field/roadside edges; stinky (a relative) flowers pollinated by carrion flies Solidago odora Sweet Goldenrod Yes herb old fields; rocky areas; native to all counties in MA - leaves and under power lines; sandy flowers have a licorice-like flavor areas near the ocean Stachys hyssopifolia Woundwort Yes* herb damp meadows *S. hyssopfolia is a "watch species" in MA - pick the non-native (to MA) S. palustris instead

Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Streptopus lanceolatus Twisted Stalk Yes* herb rich woods; woodlands with *species is "watch-listed" in MA, so shouldn't rich humus layer be harvested Tilia americana Basswood Yes medium to large tree field edges, roadsides, river young leaves are edible raw; blossoms are banks - can tolerate damp used for an edible/medicinal tea conditions Typha angustifolia Cattail, Narrow- Yes herbaceous perennial shallow areas of waterways; has at least five different edible parts leaved emergent aquatic marshy areas; likes full sun Typha latifolia Cattail, Common Yes herbaceous perennial shallow areas of waterways; has at least five different edible parts aquatic emergent marshy areas - likes full sun Ulmus rubra Elm, Slippery Yes medium-sized tree damp fields; floodplains Uvularia sessifolia Bellwort, Sessile Yes herbaceous perennial woods with good humus young shoots are edible like asparagus layer - likes shade Vaccinium angustifolium Blueberry, Lowbush Yes small shrub (up to 2 ft acidic woodlands, old fields, tall) rocky and boggy areas Vaccinium corymbosum Blueberry, Highbush Yes shrub (up to 8 ft tall) acidic woodlands, old fields, lake/pond shorelines Vaccinium macrocarpon Cranberry, Bog Yes prostrate vine - rarely acid bogs and seeps - likes same species (and flavor) as the cultivated more than a foot tall sun cranberry Vaccinium stamineum Deerberry Yes Small shrub likes acidic rocky areas Vaccinium vitis-idaea Cranberry, Mountain Yes* low-growing perennial mountain peaks and cool same species as Lingonberry - *listed as (up to 1' tall) habitats in northern New endangered in MA England Viburnum lantanoides Hobblebush Yes shrub common understory plant fruit ripens and September and tastes like a (alnifolium) (Moosewood) in cool forests prune with a hint of clove Viburnum lentago Nannyberry Yes shrub wet meadows; near fruit ripens in September and is prune-like in waterways flavor and texture Viburnum nudum or Wild Raisin Yes shrub understory plant in open small fruit are ripe when purply-black in cassinoides hardwood forests color Viburnum prunifolium Black Haw Yes shrub damp meadows - likes ripe fruit is edible, with prune-like texture partial to full sun and flavor Viburnum trilobum Highbush Cranberry Yes shrub sunny swampy areas - more Don't plant V. opulus, a European species common in northern New that tastes horrible England

Edible Native Plants of Massachusetts, N.E. US + E. Canada – Compiled 3/18/13 by Russ Cohen ([email protected], http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm)

Botanical Name Common Name Native Type of plant Preferred habitat Comments to Mass?

Viola sororia Violet, Common Yes herb fields; meadows there are many other violets, some rare + Blue or Dooryard some w/ laxative effect - stick to eating this species Vitis labrusca Fox Grape Yes perennial vine roadsides; field edges; river large grapes are ripe the second week of banks Sept. - young leaves may be stuffed Vitis riparia Riverside Grape Yes perennial vine roadsides, fences, field fruit is smaller, ripens later and not as tasty edges; river banks as V. labrusca - young leaves are good for stuffing