Looking out of my parent’s backyard last fall, I noticed a yellow-flowered plant who’s identification would soon spark my interest in learning more about local, wild, edible plants.
The plant had a beautiful yellow color and blooms around the time ragweed does. It is often wrongly accused of causing allergies in the fall.
Its leaves can be made into a tea and so can the flowers.* The name of plants in this genus is “solidago”.
*Do your own research before consuming!
All-in-all, it is a pretty interesting plant. Through my research I exposed myself to much terminology I had not heard before. There are words describing the many different parts of a plant and how they connect to the stem.
Everyone has seen plants but very seldomly do we take the time to analyze them unless motivated by vocation or specific interest or a knowledgeable mentor. I felt simultaneously overwhelmed and excited about how much information there is to know about plants.
After doing sufficient research to feel safe consuming it, I went out to harvest this yellow-flowered plant by my parent’s house and have since made a couple cups of tea with it’s leaves. It has a very earthy taste that’s slightly bitter and grassy.
When I was little I was the kid who made “potions” and mudpies pretending to be a survivor in the wilderness. The feeling of the mixture between my fingers or the idea of living from the plants around us was something I felt enthralled by as a child. Picking the goldenrod was very much like this all over again except this time I COULD put the plant in my mouth (after washing it of course).
Where I live in the southeastern United States there are many plants I recognize but many more I do not. I barely know anything about foraging and different uses of these plants. How cool would it be to learn?
Like many activities I needed something to motivate myself to continue this study of plants. The best way I can think of is to write about them on a blog and start a podcast.
It has been two years since I have considered this. I have no episodes recorded. I have a dozen books about plant identification, harvesting, and uses. I have no blog posts (besides this one) about plants. But, the idea has not left my mind. My schedule is busy and I often don’t have the energy for learning about plants when I get home from work. Maybe one day. It will have to be built in small chunks, little by little.
I guess it’s good to have a plan, at least.
For now, I encourage you to take a small amount of time each day to step outside and appreciate what is around you. Basically “touch grass” (except without the derogatory connotation). Our lives get busy so easily and we get distracted by our devices. If you’re anything like me you have a hundred unfinished projects (crafts, writing, unlearned hobbies, books, etc…). Something as small as 10 minutes on a project might be worth it and help you get closer to completing whatever it is you set out to do. I’m am going to try it, too, and see if that podcast idea and this blog can become a reality.
Ta-ta for now!