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Collecting native seeds
My pockets are full of paper bags, and I’m keeping an eye on the seed heads. Here’s how I’m collecting seeds from five native plants, telling seeds from chaff, and getting them ready to store.
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Sacred herbs: from the ancient Celts to the Bible
Herbs have been used in ritual, prayer, purification, and spiritual practice across cultures and religions for thousands of years. From hyssop, frankincense, and myrrh in the Bible to Native American ceremonial smoke traditions and Celtic saining rituals, plants have long been tied to healing, blessing, remembrance, and sacred practice throughout human history.
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Bloodroot
We were out hiking along the Buffalo River in Minnesota, when I spotted a little white flower, popping up among the leaf litter. I was very excited to find this bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) because it was the first time I’d found one in the wild. Bloodroot is a perennial and native to the Eastern parts…
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5 Senses of Plant Identification
Plant identification isn’t just about what you see. By using all five senses(sight, touch, smell, taste, and even sound) you can get better clues and make more confident identifications.
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Witch Hazel
While visiting the New York Botanical Garden last week, I got to see a few different types of witch hazel. I was very excited because, up until now, I’d only read about the shrub and its unique flowers and had never seen one in person. American witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.) is native to North…
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Why Cattails are The Ultimate Survival Plant
If people across the U.S. were suddenly forced to rely on the land again, cattails would be one of the most important plants to know. They are widespread, easy to identify, and provide food, materials, and practical uses from a single plant.
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The Herbalist as Teacher, Not Merchant
I’ve recently started selling some herbal products in a local store under my brand, Brigid & Bri Botanicals and Bee-Wares. While I’m excited about that and genuinely love making things for people to use (especially when it introduces them to herbalism), I’ve also found myself thinking more deeply about the role of the herbalist. And…
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Wild Rice as a Living Food Tradition
Wild rice is one of the few foods in North America that is still gathered, prepared, and eaten much as it has been for generations. The species most commonly referred to as wild rice, Zizania palustris, is native to the upper Great Lakes region and occurs naturally in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, as well as…
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Pine Needles: The needed green among the winter white
I’ve been absent for a few weeks, but I’m happy to be back! I’ve been swamped with my “day job,” which is running a nonprofit news organization. Add in the usual holiday bustle and—most exciting of all—the fact that I’ve officially completed my training to become a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and… whew! It’s been a…
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Burdock root: 5 simple tips for successful foraging
Fall marks the start of root season. Once the aboveground parts of many plants begin to die back, their energy moves deep into the soil. For foragers, that means it’s the best time to dig nutrient-rich roots like burdock root. It’s hardy, abundant, and easy to recognize once you know what to look for. Burdock…
