Not akin to the invasive purple loose strife which is threatening our native cattail (and other wetland plant) population, this Whorled Loose Strife is quite a pretty native wild flower.
Whorled LooseStrife has tranquilizing properties as well as being an emetic (can induce vomiting)
New Jersey Tea
Both Whorled Loosestrife and New Jersey Tea provide an alternative to Chinese Tea leaves if you are looking for a delicious and N.A. native brew. I have not tried loosestrife, but I will tell you that New Jersey Tea is delicious and hits the pallet somewhere between green and black tea. It has a fantastic bitter quality which you find in actual Tea and which is quite impressive.
New Jersey Tea brewing
Shin leaf is a relative of the wintergreen family. As are most wintergreen varieties it is traditionally used for indigestion and as a poultice. It is may also be used for "sore eyes"
Not to mention that it is a really beautiful plant. But then, I tend to nerd out on plants so I suppose it's beauty is relative.
Turkey Tail Fungus
Turkey Tails come in several colors and are quite aesthetic (camera strap = sorry)
Dried and made into tea, turkey tail fungus are touted as and effective anti-cancer medicine
I wish I knew what sort of caterpillar this was... anyway it is quite exquisite
Pipsissewa is a type of wintergreen which is beautiful and somewhat hard to find. Once you learn what the leaves look like and where they are located (I tend to find them in red pine/white pine mixed with oak forests) you can find the flowers in late June.
Pipsissewa is, from my understanding, an Abenaki name.
It is clearly used as an antiseptic and rubefacient (irritates the skin causing a dilation in capillaries and increased blood flow) and given these properties is used as a poultice.
Pipsissewa has commonly been used for dropsy and rheumatism. Pipsissewa is also commonly cited for it's use in treating ulcers and 'cancer of the stomach'.
Abenaki uses include pain relief, chest colds and a sweat inducer. The Leni Lenape used it for fever reduction.
This little mushroom seemed to be gilded and studded with diamonds
