Tuesday, May 05, 2009

~~ Wild Herbs ~~


( Arisaema atrorubens )

( AKA ~ Jack-in-the-Pulpit )


(Common Wood-Sorrel )



( Hypoxis hirsuta )
Yellow Stargrass / Common Goldstar





( 2 Types of Ferns )




~ Click on pics to enlarge for a better view ~

Sunday afternoon , I took a stroll through the woods to see if any plants were blooming. I found this little patch of plants that caught my eye , only one was blooming. I later identified the plants , they're called ( Arisaema atrorubens ) aka Jack-in-the-Pulpit. The Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants said the corm can be thinly sliced , dried out and eaten like potato chips or dried and ground into a flour. The book said the flour has a cocoa like flavor. The corm has to be dried out before eating as it contains calcium oxalate crystals that create a burning sensation in the mouth. It's a very interesting plant , plan to learn more about it.

Then I found a ground cover of common wood-sorrel , we nibbled on this when I was a kid , we called it sour grass , it has a sour taste. It's a beautiful little plant with it's clover like leaves and pink flowers. The field guide said the clover shaped leaves can be added to salads , never thought about adding the sorrel to salads , but I'm sure it adds a wonderful flavor. I 'll be adding some to the next salad I make. Sorrels are rich in vitamin C but the guide gives a warning , excessive consumption can inhibit the absorption of calcium , use in moderation.


I also found this little yellow beauty blooming , but I haven't been able to identify it , anyone know what it is ? My neighbor said she has seen trout lilies behind her house in the woods , but I don't think this is a trout lily. The ferns are open and look beautiful , I love hiking through the woods and enjoying all Mother Earth has to offer. I gathered a basket of bark with mosses , twigs , hickory nut hulls and other goodies , will make another collage this week.
~ Update ~
The beautiful little yellow flower is Yellow Stargrass. Thanks Flassie for helping identify that flower. It's not edible but sure is a beauty.



~ Green Blessings ~
JoyceAnn

5 comments:

Flassie's Fil'a said...

That yellow flower does it look like there will be more flowers clustered with it? If so is it a Yellow Stargrass or Pretty Face. Both I think are poisonous from the Lily family. Both have six petals. Both leaves look like the ones in your photo.

God Bless You and Yours!!!

Flassie's Fil'a said...

StargrassI found Stargrass online.

I'll check link b/4 you click it
and let you know. I have to post first. Otherwise I'll lose comment.

Flassie's Fil'a said...

It works. Not sure if that
is it.

God Bless You and Yours!!!

JoyceAnn said...

Thanks Flassie , They're beautiful little flowers. When it stops raining , I plan to take another hike and check them out closer. I wish I had picked one to press , although it's not edible , I've enjoyed learning about it.

~ Many Blessings ~
JoyceAnn

Flassie's Fil'a said...

Your welcome. I could not find
the Pretty Face online to compare
it to the Stargrass.

I couldn't see the stamen to good either so I wasn't sure.

I got my info out of a Reader's Digest North American Wildlife book at first. They have drawings of trees, plants, flowers, birds,& reptiles in it.

God Bless You and Yours!!!