Early June

Ah, I have been a little lax on my blogging lately.  These pictures were documented earlier in the month.  

An Oak Apple Gall split open to reveal where the wasp pupa are growing

This little caterpillar seems luminescent

 

Blackberry blossoms 

Blackberry leaves are full of tannins and vitamin C.   Tea made of the leaves is quite good for menstrual pain and trouble as well as colds, and as a gently physic

 

Blue Flag Irises are beautiful but very poisonous.  Medicinally, however, they do have value.   Poultices from the roots are used for bruises and swelling.  The roots are a strong cathartic.  Blue Flag root increases bile production and so is an effective detoxification aid and assists liver function.  Historically it has been used as a weight loss drug.  It has chemical components (triterpenoids) which are also found in Ginseng.  I have always loved this plant for it's external beauty and the more I learn about it the more I like it.  

Green Grapes - along with being a good food source for fruit, raisins, wine and juice, wild grapes can be used as a hair tonic and for kidney troubles.

This turtle was in the process of laying eggs...

Turtle Eggs would be a welcome source of food if you were hungry (some critter ate them a few days later in fact)

Marsh Marigolds

Rewind.... to early/mid May!   I was hoping to cook up a big pot full of Marsh Marigold (also known as Cowslip) greens but life and hunting got in the way and I did not find the time.   I suppose I could still cook up a heap but I hear that the greens turn bitter and tough after the blossoms fall off.  

Marsh Marigolds grow in mass at the old farm.   They are a beautiful sight in the spring and are some of the first green things to abound.  

The blossoms can also be made into wine

The unopened buds can be boiled, pickled and eaten like capers.

Marsh Marigolds are said to have some medicinal properties as well.   They contain a poison which must be boiled out before eating, but medicinally it can be used as a diuretic, to loosen mucus in the sinuses and as an expectorant, to treat warts and of course the list goes on but these are the most commonly noted uses.