Oregon grape
Our modern palate oscillates between the addictive flavors of salty and sweet, but we have lost an essential ingredient to optimal health: bitter plants. They are so rare in our diet that many people cannot name anything with bitterness except coffee. Historically, humans valued bitters for their digestive stimulating and medicinal properties. Oregon grape is a quintessential bitter plant that has the capacity to cleanse, clarify, and enliven body and spirit. Other Names: Mahonia spp. Oregon grape is in the barberry or Berberidaceae family. Identifying Oregon Grape: We have two species of...
Read MoreHorsetail
Horsetail creates strong structure and foundation. Touch its leaves and you will feel the rocky texture of silica and other minerals. Horsetails’ masterful roots can dig as deep as 150 feet into bedrock where they dissolve minerals and draw them into their cells. When we drink horsetail leaf tea we are absorbing these minerals and utilizing them to build strong bones, hair, skin and nails. Horsetail also regenerates soil health through depositing minerals onto surface soil. Other Names: puzzle plant, scouring rush, Equisetum spp. Identifying Horsetail: The ancient horsetail family was once...
Read MoreViolet
Lady of surprises – you might be small and delicate, but you hold immense power and unmatched beauty. Your flirtatious fragrance has been the signature perfume of queens and regal women for ages. And you have also been the emblem of powerful warriors and important cities. The modern terms “pansy” and “shrinking violet” fail to recognize the power that lies in your humble presence. Other Names: Viola spp. hearts ease, wild pansy, Johnny jump up. Identifying Violet: There are many kinds of violets in the northwest. All are low growing plants with heart or kidney-shaped leaves. Flowers...
Read MoreRose in Bloom
Rose is an old soul. She has been on earth more than 35-million years and she has walked intimately with humans throughout the rise and fall of civilizations. Her influence appears in art, poetry and song. No other flower has had as many admirers or has been as written about. Rose is a symbol of completeness with strong roots, perfect flowers, straight and strong stems and thorns that symbolize the spice and challenge of life. People have brought her in during moments of greatest joy and grief. She speaks when we are at a loss for words. She is a symbol of love and grace. Rose blossoms have...
Read MoreChickweed
Once you know chickweed you will see that it is omnipresent. Just yesterday we found it growing around downtown Olympia trees – those compact patches of dirt in the midst of a sea of concrete. Later we found scraggily plants in our lawn, which looked entirely different than the lush mats growing in our neighbor’s garden. Chickweed is a welcomed weed at our house – we celebrate its pioneering spirit. Other Names: Stellaria media. Stellaria means “star” and media means “in the midst of.” Also called white bird’s eye, starweed, scarwort. Identifying Chickweed: There is something magical...
Read MoreBig Leaf Maple
Each spring I look forward to seeing the blooms of big leaf maple trees illuminated in front of a dark stormy sky. Their golden-green color is also a dramatic contrast to the evergreens and the leaf-bare deciduous trees. They are so lush and so light-filled. The flowers are full of sweet nectar that pollinators and people relish. Try eating them straight, adding them to salads, or making maple blossom fritters. Other Names: Acer macrophyllum, Oregon maple Identifying Big Leaf Maple: As I think of big leaf maple several strong characteristics come to mind. The leaves are 5-lobed and are much...
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