All plants listed have been personally encountered.
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Plants for a Future : Edible Plant Database (huge)
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American Basswood –
Type – Tree
Native to Eastern North America
American Beech –
Type – Tree
Native to Eastern US
Apple –
Type – Tree
Native to Eastern Europe
Autumn Olive –
Type – Shrub/Small Tree
Native to Western and Central Asia
Invasive in US
Edible – berries
Bigtooth Aspen –
Type – Tree
Native to Northeastern North America
Black Maple –
Type – Tree
Native to Central Northern US
Black-eyed Susans –
Type – Flower
Native to Central US
Bloodroot –
Type – Flower
Native to North America
Bluestem –
Type – Grass
Native to US
Box Elder (Cut-leaf Maple) –
Type – Tree
Native to US
Edible – sap, inner bark, and seeds
Burdock –
Type – Shrub / Burr
Native to “Old World” (Europe, Asia, and Africa)
Edible – roots pre-flower stalk, stems in second year, flower stalks pre-flower
Canadian Goldenrod –
Type – Flower
Native to US
Invasive in Europe and Asia
Chicory –
Type – Flower
Native to Europe
Edible – young leaves for salads, root dried
Cut-leaved Toothwort –
Type – Flower
Native to eastern half of North America
Dandelion –
Type – Flower
Native to Eurasia and the Americas
Edible – all parts, cooked or raw
Eastern Red Columbine –
Type – Flower
Native to eastern United States
False Rue Anemone –
Type – Flower
Native to North America
Milkweed –
Type – Flower
Toxic – all parts (only if ingested) even when dried
Mullein –
Type – Flower
Toxic – Seeds
Pink Knotweed (Lady’s Thumb) –
Type – Flower
Native to Europe and Asia
Invasive to US
Edible – All parts, cooked or raw
Pink Morning Glory –
Type – Flower
Poison Ivy –
Type – Vine (typically)
Toxic – oil causes reactions for some people, DO NOT BURN
Pokeweed –
Type – Shrub (typically)
Toxic – all parts, with roots the most toxic
Prairie Fleabane –
Type – Flower
Native to North America
Purple Deadnettle –
Type – Flower
Native to Eurasia
Red Bush Honeysuckle –
Type – Shrub
Native to Eurasia
Edible – flower nectar
Toxic – berries inedible
Sassafras –
Type – Tree
Native to Eastern US and Asia
Edible – root extract (with safrole oil removed)
Toxic – safrole oil can cause permanent liver damage over time
Garden – host plant for Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly
Shagbark Hickory –
Type – Tree
Native to Eastern half of United States
Speedwell –
Type – Flower
Spotted Jewelweed –
Type – Flower
Native to US
Edible – leaves
Medicine – crushed leaves and stems with beeswax as poison ivy salve
Garden – nectar attracts hummingbirds
Spring Beauty –
Type – Flower
Native to eastern half of North America
Staghorn Sumac –
Type – Shrub (typically)
Native to northeastern North America
Edible – fruit as flavoring to a beverage (similar to lemonade)
Medicine – root/twig fluid has astringent properties from tannins
Garden – beautiful flowers, showy fruit birds can eat even into Winter, bright orange-red leaves in autumn
Sugar Maple –
Type – Tree
Native to Northeastern North America
Tulip Tree –
Type – Tree
Native to Northeastern US
White Trillium –
Type – Flower
Native to North America
Wild Carrot (Queen Anne’s Lace) –
Type – Flower
Native to Europe
Edible – root (cooked), flowers
Wild Geranium –
Type – Flower
Native to Northeastern United States
Wild Lupine –
Type – Flower
Native to western United States
Wild Strawberry –
Type – Flower/Fruit
Native to North America
Edible – fruit
Yellow Trout Lily / Yellow Adder’s Tongue –
Type – Flower
Native to eastern half of North America
Edible – raw bulb
A Vital Recognition 