~~ 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

~ Spring Harvest ~

My oldest daughter was given about 10 lbs of asparagus this week , we've eaten some and frozen some for later. I love asparagus and hope my patch does well. Does anyone have a favorite asparagus recipe to share ?

I harvest violet leaves to make a infusion , it's like a green tea. The infusion is very good for you , full of vitamins and nutrients.

Harvested a few more violet blooms , they're almost through blooming for this season. I made more ice cubes with these blooms. I've also added some to salads. I didn't get to make a second batch of violet jelly , but plan to make dandelion jelly soon. I found a cookie recipe using violet jelly , they're called "Thumbprint Cookies " , hope to make some soon. I will share the recipe if they're good.

I gathered lots of dandelion greens , plan to cook a mess for my family this weekend. The girls are eager to try the new dandelion recipe. I think I'll serve it with whole wheat noodles this time.

Something store bought , something homegrown and something wild , made for a great salad. I used iceberg lettuce , a handful of homegrown leaf lettuce and dandelion greens , violet flowers & leaves.

~ Green Blessings ~

JoyceAnn

~ Cooking up some Dandelion Greens ~

I tried that dandelion recipe last Saturday , it was so good I made it again Thursday night. Dh said it was different , but later said it tasted pretty good. I think it is delicious , highly recommend it , wish I had taken a pic of the finished dish but I forgot to. I served it over brown rice , Dh doesn't like brown rice , so I think that's why he didn't care for it. The next time I will serve it on white rice or whole wheat noodles. Here is the link for the recipe if you want to try it ~ http://southernfood.about.com/od/collardgreens/r/bl30319f.htm ~.



Check-out Flassie's blog for another yummy looking recipe using dandelion greens , I hope to try it soon ~ http://wwwflassiesfila.blogspot.com/2009/04/while-looking-at-martha-stewart-website.html ~ . Tansy has a recipe for cream of dandelion soup posted over at Not Dabbling in Normal ~ http://notdabblinginnormal.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/eat-your-weeds/ ~ . It sounds delicious too , hope I can gather enough dandelion greens to try both of these recipes.

Hope everyone is having a Blessed weekend !!

~ Green Blessings ~

JoyceAnn

~~~ DandyLions ~~~

Today I'll be gathering dandelion blooms , hope to gather a gallon and start some dandelion wine. I'm also gathering the last of the violets , hope to harvest enough for another batch of jelly and some for potpourri.

~~ Spring Blessings ~~

JoyceAnn

~ Herbal Hike ~

Spring has all the wonderful herbs popping up , I've been hiking and trying to identify them. I've found some interesting plants , but need to wait for blooms to open , to properly i.d. them.

Shadow always tags along and enjoys the creek , while I explore. He found some grass along the creek bank that must be pretty tasty , so he chowed down. We ran into Mr. Kong whom resides behind my hubby's garage at the edge of the woods , he's been around this area for a few years. He maybe finding a new home if he decides to visit the chicken coop (lol).

I finally got around to making those violet ice cubes , they're quite charming. The dandelions are blooming , plan to make some ice cubes with their blooms too.

The weather has been colder the last couple of days , but I believe we're suppose to get back to Spring weather starting today ~ Yay ! Will be planting broccoli and cabbage tomorrow , a little late but I think it'll be o.k.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week !!

~ ~ Spring Blessings ~ ~

JoyceAnn

~~ Violets ~~

The violets are blooming , they're so beautiful. I harvested some of the blooms yesterday , and made violet jelly. This was the first time I've made violet jelly , the flavor is mild and delicate , it taste wonderful on crackers. Making it was fun , it turns 3 different colors through the process. If you're interested in making violet jelly or want to learn more about violet as a herb , check-out the links below.

Recipes for violet jelly ...........
http://www.prairielandherbs.com/violetjelly.htm

http://spring-recipes.suite101.com/article.cfm/violet_jelly

The April issue of Herbal Roots is about violets ........ http://fieldoftansy.blogspot.com/2009/03/herbal-roots-april-2009_30.html , I haven't purchased it yet but I'm sure it's full of wonderful information.

Great blog entry about the herbal uses of violets .....http://garlic-breath.blogspot.com/2009/03/violets.html

~ Violet Blessings ~

JoyceAnn