GardenMedicine

And then there were the lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea,) also known as lowboys cranberries. Remember, all of this is just a few inches tall — but spread out everywhere. They were perfectly ripe and tart and delicious.

Truly one of the most gorgeous trails I’ve ever walked.

And for sure, not going to play favorites with this many delicious berries to choose among. But these these tiny cries (and Empetrum nigrum) growing an intro to off the ground, were pretty dang awesome.

The yellow and orange you see here are very low growing plants we think of his trees: yellow is willow, orange is birch. Everything redder than that — and some of the things that are still green — are berries.

even tastier than berries while hiking? Berries while hiking with a view.

Earlier this week, I got to hang out with some wild Alaska, blueberries.

We walked through mindblowing tundra where every kind of berry was ripe.

I started to make a single post with all of the different kinds, but let’s give them each their due!

It is often true, although not always, that wild plants are more potent than their cultivated cousins. Alaska blueberries are well-known example of this. And, of course, all berries taste better on a hike.

Today at the Clatskanie Garlic Festival!

Garlic braid by , photo of me by /.

Berry hands.

When I took a snack break and sat down with these yellow flowers, I thought, hey, is that Arnica?

I didn’t bring my plant key on this hike, and I would never harvest an unfamiliar plant without being 100% sure what it was.

But I did check my Oregon wildflowers app. And from what I could see there, it’s pretty likely that this was Arnica latifolia, aka broadleaf or mountain Arnica. If I did get the genus correct, the way the leaves attach to the stalk was the key to the species.

But I could be wrong. And again, if you’re in it for the medicine, you want to be sure.

Thursday in Cascadia.

My mom has always been a neat freak, and growing up I got a lot of grief because my room was so messy. What can I say, I was instinctively trying to emulate this.

So this one time, my dad and his wife were visiting me here in Portland. I found a bunch of this super ornamental oregano and left a bouquet of it in their room. My dad‘s wife gave me a look, suggesting I was frivolous to go for flowers. Then I told her it was both a spice and medicine and she was very pleased.

There are some flowers that I want to love – because I want to love all the plants – but they just look fake to me. the bees obviously disagree.

Urban wildflowers.

Who remembers Phyllis Diller?

A very fine hat.

Glowing.

I miss hanging out with these guys.

Sorry it’s blurry, this is the best I could do with the equipment I had.

My, what large pollen sacks you have…

So much pretty produce yesterday at .

Which things look yummiest to you?

Found this solitary river beauty (Chamaenerion latifolia) blooming at the beach. All by itself. A pioneer!

I love all the fireweeds, and use them in almost all of my flower-essence formulas. Short version: they are all about release, recovery, and renewal.

“Where comfrey grows, a wise woman lives.”

That’s an old proverb, but in this case totally true.

Lovely little legumes by the beach.

First time identifying nagoonberry, aka Rubus arcticus, aka Arctic blackberry. Brilliant!

Current mood.

Peak lupine, with a view.

Purplish wild nettles with lavender seeds!

(note: do not use nettle leaves for medicine once they have gone to seed!)

Just hanging out at the .

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Thistoothsome, edible flower is now in full bloom! Check it out in my stories and my flower power highlights.

Still a few dogwoods in full bloom.

Rose and power pole.