~~ 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