Edible Mushrooms: Charcoal Burner (Russula cyanoxantha)
Karen The charcoal burner can be found singly or in troops from summer to fall in deciduous and coniferous woodlands of the northern temperate zone including North America and Europe. It…
Plant Profile: Redwood Inside-Outside Flower (Vancouveria planipetala aka V. parviflora)
Also known as redwood ivy, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the barberry family, Berberidaceae, that also includes nandina, mahonia, and epimedium. It is native to northwestern California…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Sweet Majoram (Origanum majorana)
Karen Meyers The link between the Virgin Mary and sweet majoram goes back to ancient times. In ancient Greece fragrant garlands of marjoram were given to newly weds to wear around their…
Plant Profile: Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis aka Chamaemelum nobile)
Also known as English chamomile, garden chamomile, ground apple, low chamomile, mother’s daisy or whig plant, this herbaceous perennial is native to dry sunny fields of Western Europe and northwestern…
Edible Mushrooms: Saffron Milk Cap (Lactarius deliciosus)
Groups or troops of saffron milk cap can be found in summer and fall growing in the calcareous and siliceous soil in coniferous forests especially under pines. It is native…
Plant Profile: Common Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Sneezeweed is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. It is native to eastern and north central North America where it…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Holy Communion Plant
The use of sweet basil goes back to ancient times. The ancient Egyptians used sweet basil in the embalming process and believed it would open the doors of the afterlife.…
Plant Profile: English Holly (Ilex aquifolia)
Also known as common holly, European holly, and Christmas holly this evergreen tree is native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia where it grows in the…
Book Review: Little Seasons Spring Seeds
Mirka Hokkanen explores the coming of spring and the lifecycle of seeds in her book, Little Seasons Spring Seeds. Written for children ages 2-6, the author shows the great diversity…
Edible Mushrooms: Orange Peel Fungus (Aleuria aurantia)
Orange peel fungus belongs to the group called “sac fungi”, Ascomycetes, because they produce their spores is sac-like structures called asci (singular ascus). The asci are produced in cup-like orange…