Fort Liberty Series – Black Snakeroot

 Note from the Author: New wild plant!

 

 

 

Common Name: Black Snakeroot

 

Other Common Names: Canada Sanicle, Canadian Black Snakeroot

 

Botanical Family: Apiaceae (The Carrot Family)

 

Botanical Latin Name: Sanicula canadensis

 

Description & Habitat:

           Black Snakeroot is a native perennial that got the common name ‘Canada Black Snakeroot’ because it was first recorded by European botanists in Canada. This naming feature is reflected in the Latin name where the specific epithet is ‘canadensis’ meaning ‘of Canada’.  In the wild this plant is commonly found in Oak-Hickory forests and on wooded slops near streams or rivers. The native range of this plant goes as far as Southern Vermont, into Canada and as southward as Florida and Texas. You can look for it in areas with dappled or partial shade that have moist but well-drained humus-rich soils. It should be noted that the flowers of this plant are not particularly showy as they are tiny and green but the spiky burr-like ovaries are interesting to look at. It is possible for the  average viewer to mistake this plant for something like Virginia Creeper or Lady’s Mantle, however note that Black Snakeroot isn’t a vine and forms a loose rosette and individual plants can bet between 8” and 2’ tall. The dried fruits of this plant are burrs and can detach from the plant and stick on clothing, hair or fur.

 

Special Toxicity Note:  

          The edibility of this plant is unclear, it is noted that this plant has saponins.

 

When & What to Harvest:

          Supposedly, the young leaves and shoots of this plant can be eaten after boiling in at least two changes of water. However it’s noted the plant is very bitter and the cooking process is not clearly noted anywhere credible.

 

Related Plants:

          There are a number of species of Sanicle, however you are not likely to encounter them as easily as this one in the Sandhills of North Carolina.

 

Recipe:

          There is no clear cooking information for this plant.

 

 

Additional Information: (If applicable)

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sanicula-canadensis/

 

Where to get Seed or Bare Root Plants:

I could not find any reputable seed company selling the seeds or plants for this one.

 

With all that garden goodness covered this is the part of the blog where I have to advertise for the Fayetteville City Market. Now I know you readers probably don’t much like advertisements, but my booth at the City Market helps to cover the costs of running the test garden and literally maintains the Research & Development budget that is used to bring you the information that has made up the backbone of this blog.  In addition to being able to process card payments we now take CashApp payments so your payment options for my product have tripled. With that said; if you want to get some GMO-free, Organic fruit, herbs, flowers and perennials, come on down to the Fayetteville City Market on 325 Maxwell Street in downtown Fayetteville between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Even in bad weather the market goes on though you might have to look for me under the ‘arches’ of the Transportation Museum’s front entryway.

 

Spring Plants

Basil, Sweet Genovese

Pepper, Ghost (hot!!, 1-1.2 million SHU)

Pepper, Carolina Reaper (hot!!! 1.5-2.2 million SHU)

Tomato, Lemon Cherry

Tomato, Chocolate Cherry

Tomato, Midnight Snack

Tomato, Black Krim

Tomato, Lemon Boy

 

Summer Plants

Amaranth, tricolor

Anise-Hyssop, Arizona Sandstone

Black Eyed Susan, Denver Daisy

Cotton, Nankeen

Dahlia, Ruby Black Forest

Pumpkin, Blue

Tobacco Flower, Saratoga Purple Bicolor

 

Garden Supply

Live Mushroom Compost, 1 Gallon

Live Mushroom Compost, 3 Gallon

 

Plants Coming Soon:

Spineless Prickly Pear (available on 6-20-2026)

-Others TBA-

 

 

How to stay in Contact with Us!

All you need to keep up with all our activities is to have a Nextdoor account and to look for the ‘Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’ group and ask to join! You don’t have to live in Fayetteville to join us! Feel free to ask all your garden questions of our knowledgeable membership and post your cool garden pictures.

 

Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville

 

Also please take a gander at the YouTube version of this blog:

The Videos: Look Here

>Newest videos (1): Firefly Petunia

 

With all of the updates, blog posts, community announcements and the main topic handled remember that Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’s meetings are still going on! Our next (unofficial) meeting is May 30^th at the Fayetteville City Market at 325 Franklin Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, or at North South Brewing on the same day between 1:00 and 5:00pm.

Jewelweed II

 Note from the Author: I have covered this plant before, on June 20^th 2011 in brief detail.

 

 

Impatiens capensis (Flower) –Helen Lowe, USGUS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab MD USA. (Via Wikipedia)

Impatiens capensis – Derek Ramsey (Via Wikipedia)

Common Name: Jewelweed

 

Other Common Names: Jewel Weed, Orange Jewelweed, Touch-me-not, Spotted Touch-me-not, Orange-flowered Jewelweed.

 

Botanical Family: Balsaminaceae (The Balsam Family)

 

Botanical Latin Name: Impatiens capensis

 

Description & Habitat:  Jewelweed is commonly found in wet areas such as along rivers, streams, ponds, springs, swamps, low mesic woodlands, floodplains and bottom lands. In the urban landscape you will find it around artificial ponds or anywhere it’s been introduced and the soil is regularly moist such as drainage areas. Jewelweed is an annual native plant that is upright growing has pale stems that often have enlarged internodes. The leaves are roughly elliptical in shape and are borne alternately and may have dentate margins. The flowers of Jewelweed are something to behold as they range from orange to orange-yellow in color and are spotted with reddish, yellow, dark orange or white spots that may also present as large blotches.

 

Special Toxicity Note:  This plant does contain Calcium Oxalate Crystals and thus is not recommended for consumption raw. Cooking destroys some of the crystals but even so it is impossible in the field to determine the concentration of Calcium oxalate in each plant so even if cooked regular consumption is not advised.

 

When & What to Harvest: Young shoots and foliage are ideal but they must be used quickly as this plant wilts very fast. Wrapping the cut foliage in wet paper towels and carrying them in a cooler with ice can delay the wilting for an hour or two if needed. Also stem cuttings of this plant that are at least 3-5” long may be able to be rooted in a glass of water for cultivation purposes. With that said, I must mention that jewelweed is a medicinal plant, and many references cite that it was used by an unspecified number of Native American peoples. Its primary use was in the treatment of wounds and skin ailments but also, cathartic, diuretic and emetic. In the form of an infusion it was used to treat fevers, difficult urination, measles, stomach cramps, and jaundice. The juice of the leaves and stems has been used externally to treat piles, fungal dermatitis, nettle stings, poison ivy rash, and burns while the sap specifically was used to handle warts. In the form of a poultice of the leaves is applied to bruises, burns, cuts and lacerations.

 

 

Related Plants: Yellow-flowered Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida)

 

Recipe:  

While I have no official recipes for this plant there is one in edible wild plants of North America that is worth a try. It does not specify how much Jewelweed you need but I’m guessing a cup of it that’s been chopped.

 

Cover Jewelweed with water and boil for 10-15 minutes. During this drain the existing water* and replace with fresh water at least twice. Drain a final time then season and butter to taste.

 

*You might want to hold on to the drained water; it can be the basis of anti-poison Ivy salve or ointment.

 

Additional Information: (If applicable)

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/impatiens-capensis/

 

 

Where to get Seed or Bare Root Plants:

https://www.prairiemoon.com/impatiens-capensis-spotted-touch-me-not

 

 

With all that garden goodness covered this is the part of the blog where I have to advertise for the Fayetteville City Market. Now I know you readers probably don’t much like advertisements, but my booth at the City Market helps to cover the costs of running the test garden and literally maintains the Research & Development budget that is used to bring you the information that has made up the backbone of this blog.  In addition to being able to process card payments we now take CashApp payments so your payment options for my product have tripled. With that said; if you want to get some GMO-free, Organic fruit, herbs, flowers and perennials, come on down to the Fayetteville City Market on 325 Maxwell Street in downtown Fayetteville between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Even in bad weather the market goes on though you might have to look for me under the ‘arches’ of the Transportation Museum’s front entryway.

 

 

Fresh Produce:

Cucumbers, Lemon

Figs, Celeste

Figs, Chicago Hardy

Figs, Ischia

Peppers, Banana Drop Hybrid

 

Summer Vegetables:

Nightshade Greens, Gbognome

Nightshade Greens, West African Njama

Okra, Baby Bubba

Okra, Iraqi Bamia

Pepper, Ghost

Pepper, Serrano

Pepper, Hungarian Wax Banana

Pepper, Bull’s Horn

Pepper, Mad Hatter

Pepper, Purple Bell

Potato, Adirondak (Purple skin with blue-purple flesh)

Spinach, Egyptian

 

Herbs:

Basil, Holy

Basil, Sweet Genovese

Chives

Yarrow, Parker’s Gold

 

Flowers:

Flowering Tobacco

Marigolds

 

Plants Coming Soon:

Egyptian Onions

 

How to stay in Contact with Us!

All you need to keep up with all our activities is to have a Nextdoor account and to look for the ‘Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’ group and ask to join! You don’t have to live in Fayetteville to join us! Feel free to ask all your garden questions of our knowledgeable membership and post your cool garden pictures.

 

Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville

 

Also please take a gander at the YouTube version of this blog:

The Videos: Look Here

>Newest videos (2): Jewels of Opar, Sweet Potato Vine (short video).

 

Meetings are still going on! Our next (unofficial) meeting is August 2^nd at the Fayetteville City Market at 325 Franklin Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.

 

Bitter Sneezeweed II

Note from the Author: I previously covered this plant on February 18^th 2022.

This one has to be the prettiest specimen I've ever seen.

Coming out of a crack in the cement curb, Bitter Sneezeweed is a serious annual plant.

Mixed in with the weeds and tall grass of an overgrown field is where you might find these annuals. No other plant has a flower quite like Bitter Sneezeweed.

 

 

 

Common Name: Bitter Sneezeweed

 

Other Common Names: Yellow sneezeweed, Fiveleaf sneezeweed and Yellowdicks.

 

Botanical Family: Asteraceae (The Aster Family)

 

Botanical Latin Name: Helenium amarum

 

Description & Habitat: Typically you will find this plant along the roadside or in fields, by the edge of pastures and it pops up a lot in areas with very sandy soil. Bitter Sneezeweed has an upright habit and forms a sort of canopy as it takes on an overall ‘V’ shape when seen from the side. The bright golden yellow flowers are roughly shaped like a shuttlecock from badminton. The petals tend to arch downwards towards the ground while the florets in the center of the flower form a cone. The foliage of this perennial and native plant has a camphor-chamomile kind of scent.

 

Special Toxicity Note: This plant contains Helenalin which is a Sesquiterpene lactone and is the primary toxic compound in the plant which serves as its defense against grazing animals which also makes it squirrel and deer resistant. It also contains Dugaldin and phenol which makes it toxic to cats too so definitely not for use as a house plant but it thankfully is a bitter tasting which can discourage animal and small child consumption.

 

When & What to Harvest: Generally for medicinal use you can harvest the mature flowers, stems and foliage. The leaves when used in an infusion are said to be a laxative. Infusions using only the stems are supposedly used in a wash to help treat fevers. The mature flower heads when dried were used to treat Colds and headaches while if made into a tea they were said to treat worms in the intestine. Lastly and perhaps most promising is that the plant contains Helenalin a compound that has shown great promise in anti-tumor use.

 

Related Plants: Common Sneezeweed (H. autumnale), Purple-headed Sneezeweed (H. flexuosum).

 

Recipe:  (None, this plant is not for culinary use)

 

Additional Information: (If applicable)

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/helenium-autumnale/

 

Where to get Seed or Bare Root Plants:

https://store.experimentalfarmnetwork.org/products/bitter-sneezeweed

 

With all that garden goodness covered this is the part of the blog where I have to advertise for the Fayetteville City Market. Now I know you readers probably don’t much like advertisements, but my booth at the City Market helps to cover the costs of running the test garden and literally maintains the Research & Development budget that is used to bring you the information that has made up the backbone of this blog.  In addition to being able to process card payments we now take CashApp payments so your payment options for my product have tripled. With that said; if you want to get some GMO-free, Organic fruit, herbs, flowers and perennials, come on down to the Fayetteville City Market on 325 Maxwell Street in downtown Fayetteville between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Even in bad weather the market goes on though you might have to look for me under the ‘arches’ of the Transportation Museum’s front entryway.

 

 

Fresh Produce:

Blueberries, Rabbiteye

Figs, Magnolia

Peppers, Banana Drop Hybrid

 

Summer Vegetables:

Nightshade Greens, Gbognome

Nightshade Greens, West African Njama

Okra, Baby Bubba

Okra, Iraqi Bamia

Pepper, Ghost

Pepper, Serrano

Pepper, Hungarian Wax Banana

Pepper, Bull’s Horn

Pepper, Mad Hatter

Pepper, Purple Bell

Potato, Adirondak (Purple skin with blue-purple flesh)

Spinach, Egyptian

 

Herbs:

Basil, Holy

Basil, Sweet Genovese

Chives

Yarrow, Parker’s Gold

 

 

Flowers:

Flowering Tobacco

Hibiscus, Luna Red

Marigolds

 

Plants Coming Soon:

Green-Fruit Nightshade Greens

Rainbow Quinoa

 

How to stay in Contact with Us!

All you need to keep up with all our activities is to have a Nextdoor account and to look for the ‘Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’ group and ask to join! You don’t have to live in Fayetteville to join us! Feel free to ask all your garden questions of our knowledgeable membership and post your cool garden pictures.

 

Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville

 

Also please take a gander at the YouTube version of this blog:

The Videos: Look Here

>Newest videos (1): Stevia

 

Meetings are still going on! Our next (unofficial) meeting is June 28^th at the Fayetteville City Market at 325 Franklin Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.