Fort Liberty Series – Deerberry

 Note from the Author: New wild plant!

 

 

 

 

Common Name: Deerberry

 

Other Common Names: Tall Deerberry, Highbush Huckleberry, Buckberry, Southern Gooseberry

 

Botanical Family: Ericeae (The Heather Family)

 

Botanical Latin Name: Vaccinium stamineum

 

Description & Habitat:

           Deerberry is a deciduous shrub that can be found in all parts of North Carolina and is related to the cultivated types of Blueberries you buy at the store. The ovate shaped leaves of this plant are borne in an alternate arrangement and its five-petaled white flowers typically hang on the plant facing roughly towards the ground. With both age and ideal growing conditions Deerberry bushes can grow to a height of fifteen feet however it is more common that you will find specimens that are less than five feet tall. The specimens photographed were perhaps two or three feet tall and growing in noticeably poor soil. The primary method of reproduction for this plant is through runners which expand the size of individual colonies of this plant. The berries this plant produces are purple colored and roughly pear shaped and the berries ripen in late summer. You can find this plant in oak-hickory woodlands in areas with full sun or partial shade and acidic soil. Deerberry supports several native pollinators as well as a wide range of wildlife including Deer which have been observed to eat the berries.

 

Special Toxicity Note:  

          No known toxicity.

 

When & What to Harvest:

          The berries are what you want here, and they are ripe roughly in late summer.

 

Related Plants:

          Rabbiteye Blueberry (V. virgatum), Highbush Blueberry (V. corymbosum), Lowbush Blueberry (V. angustifolium), Cranberry (V. macrocarpon).

 

Recipe:

          Generally speaking the recipes for this one only seem to be on Facebook and I’d take those with a large grain of salt. Most sources agree it’s good for use in jellies, jams and cobbler type pies.

 

 

Additional Information: (If applicable)

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/vaccinium-stamineum/

 

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

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

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

Tomato, Cherokee Purple (last tomatoes of 2026)

 

Herbs

Basil, Sweet Genovese

Oregano

Sage, Common

Thyme, English

 

Summer Plants

Amaranth, tricolor

Anise-Hyssop, Arizona Sandstone

Balloon Flower

Black Eyed Susan, Denver Daisy

Calibrachoa, Caliburst

Coneflower, Pow Wow White

Cotton, Nankeen

Dahlia, Figaro Mix

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): Scarlet Bee Balm

 

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 June 6^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.

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.

Fort Liberty Series – Roundleaf Boneset

 Note from the Author: New wild plant!

 

Common Name: Roundleaf Boneset

 

Other Common Names: Roundleaf Eupatorium, False Horehound, Roundleaf boneset, Roundleaf Thoroughwort

 

Botanical Family: Asteraeae (The Aster Family)

 

Botanical Latin Name: Eupatorium rotundifolium

 

Description & Habitat:

          Roundleaf Boneset is a native perennial found in the eastern and central United States, it’s commonly found in savannas and boggy locations but the one I noticed was found by the side of a path in pretty dry conditions. The soil under it was sandy with a noticeable amount of reddish color due to Iron Oxide suggesting some clay was mixed in somewhere. It’s most identifying feature is the opposite and clasping leaf arrangement, as you can see in the picture it was so perfect I almost thought it was a plastic plant. I only saw one of these plants in the entire hike and none of them were in bloom or had residual seed heads suggesting that these plants are herbaceous and that their stems and whatnot break down quickly once they bloom and produce seed.  According to some references this plant can have an alternate leaf arrangement too, so always use more than one identification feature if you’re trying to identify this plant in the wild. This variation is because Roundleaf Boneset can freely hybridize with similar species of Eupatorium producing hybrids with slightly differing visual characteristics. The strong Points of this plant are that it supports native pollinators and is a food source for the larvae of several species of moth. The seeds of this plant may be eaten by a few species of bird too so by allowing it to grow somewhere you are supporting the wild life. The flowers of this plant are white and arranged in a Corymb, which is in this case a loose head of tiny flowers sort of like what you see in the Carrot family except they have more tightly packed Umbel flower heads.

 

Special Toxicity Note:  

          Most credible references regarding this native plant indicate that it is not safe to consume or use as medicine.

 

When & What to Harvest:

          This plant is not considered safe to eat.

 

Related Plants:

          Hardy Ageratum (Conoclinum/Eupatorium coelestinum) Annual Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum) and the ornamental Joe Pye weeds such as (Eutrochium dubium ‘Baby Joe’) and Queen of the Meadow (Eutrochium fistulosum).

 

Recipe:

          Unfortunately, there are no recipes for this one.

 

 

Additional Information: (If applicable)

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/eupatorium-rotundifolium/

 

Where to get Seed or Bare Root Plants:

None known.

 

 

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

Onion, Yellow Salad

Pepper, Carolina Wonder Bell (mild)

Pepper, Ancho/Poblano (spicy 1-2k SHU)

Pepper, Jalafuego (spicy, 4-6k SHU)

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

-TBA-

 

Garden Supply

Live Mushroom Compost, 1 Gallon

Live Mushroom Compost, 3 Gallon

 

Plants Coming Soon:

Spineless Prickly Pear

-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): ‘Phenomenal’ Lavender

 

Meetings are still going on! Our next (unofficial) meeting is May 16^th  at the Fayetteville City Market at 325 Franklin Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. If you can’t make it to the City Market come on down to the North South Brewery Market which is at 304 Williams Street (Right off West Russel Street), between 1pm and 5pm every Saturday.

 

Fort Liberty Series - Carolina Rosinweed

 Note from the Author: New wild plant!

 

Foliage like this is sure to catch one's eye.

 

Common Name: Carolina Rosinweed

 

Other Common Names: Kidneyleaf Rosinweed

 

Botanical Family: Asteraeae (The Aster Family)

 

Botanical Latin Name: Silphium compositum

 

Description & Habitat:

          Carolina Rosinweed is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower that is found across North Carolina. It is generally found in the Longleaf Pine Sandhills and other xeric forests woodlands and by the roadside. It is biologically adapted to handle exceptionally dry soils with poor nutrient content and has a very long taproot making it difficult to transplant. In smaller specimens the taproot can go down a foot, while several feet are the norm for mature specimens. The botanical Latin name has two references in play, ‘Silphium’ is the name given to the plant by Carl Linnaeus as a reference to the legendary but now extinct Giant Fennel plant of Ancient Greece and Rome. Back then the original Silphium was used as a seasoning, medicine, aphrodisiac and as a perfume however much like Sea snails used for Tyrian Purple this plant was likely harvested to extinction. The specific ephithet ‘compostium’ refers to the compound leaves.

 

          The Rosinweeds are in the Aster family and are under the Sunflower tribe meaning they support Pollinators and wild birds with their flowers and foliage. In terms of appearance the specimen found of Fort Liberty had deeply lobed leaves with bright red leaf veins. The shapes of the leaves on the specimen were almost Oak-like and at first I thought it might be a member of the Bears Breeches family out in the wild. This plant’s flower stalks from last year remained and it appeared that this plant might naturally form something close to a basal rosette. The specimen was found in soil that was almost pure sand with a little bit of clay in full sun growing out of the side of a embankment.

 

Special Toxicity Note:  

          It is unknown if any parts of this plant are poisonous or toxic.

 

When & What to Harvest:

          It is unclear if this specific Rosinweed is edible, but multiple sources suggest it’s resin was extracted somehow and chewed like gum. I have no idea what part of the plant this would come from if it’s true, but chances are it’s the taproot.

 

Related Plants:

          Cup Plant (S. perfoliatum), Prairie Dock (S. terebinthinaceum), Whorled Rosinweed (S. trifoliatum) and, Compass Plant (S. laciniatum).

 

Recipe:

          Unfortunately, there are no recipes for this one, just for its cousin the Cup Plant and others that are related.

 

 

Additional Information: (If applicable)

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/silphium-compositum/

 

Where to get Seed or Bare Root Plants:

https://www.prairiemoon.com/search-results.html?Search=silphium#/?resultsPerPage=24

 

 

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

Chicory, Italian

Chicory, Garnet Stem

Lily, Formosa

Okra, Iraqi Bamia

Onion, Yellow Salad

Pepper, Lesya (bell type, mild)

Pepper, Bull’s Horn (mild)

Pepper, Carolina Wonder Bell (mild)

Pepper, Ancho/Poblano (spicy 1-2k SHU)

Pepper, Jalafuego (spicy, 4-6k SHU)

Pepper, Extra Long Cayenne (spicy, 30-50k SHU)

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

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

Potato, Sweet ‘Covington’

Tomato, Lemon Cherry

Tomato, Chocolate Cherry

Tomato, Midnight Snack

Tomato, Black Krim

Tomato, Purple Cherokee

 

Plants Coming Soon:

Spineless Prickly Pear

-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): Marsh Pennywort

 

Meetings are still going on! Our next (unofficial) meeting is May 2^nd at the Fayetteville City Market at 325 Franklin Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. If you can’t make it to the City Market come on down to the North South Brewery Market which is at 304 Williams Street (Right off West Russel Street), between 1pm and 5pm every Saturday.