Botany Exploration

A Walk in the Woods by Ann Finstad

I am identifying new plants on the acreage here in Wisconsin this spring. I have decided this is good use of time and it helps me to become more acclimated to my surroundings here. In a way it is fun, like finding a new treasure or just discovering something new to take interest in. I love learning that the plant I just walked past in the forest has been used by ancient people for medicinal purposes.

On my outing today I identified several new species of plants. How I do this is through an app called PictureThis. This app not only identifies plants, but it can diagnose your house plants too! For example, if your house plant is sick the app can tell you how to cure it.

The plants I found today were:

Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii)

This is a bush-like plant and can grow red fruit that birds eat, but it can cause sickness in humans. So don't eat the red fruit.

Black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis)

An edible berry that is not as sour as the blackberry and very fruity. These black raspberries are higher in antioxidants which are necessary to maintain optimal health.

Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius)

Tastes sweet and tart with a raspberry-like flavor. Not native to US. These berries range in color of yellow, pink, bright red, or dark purple (almost black).

Common mullein (Verbascum thapus)

Common mullein is good for the lungs and is common in treating a variety of respiratory ailments. Common mullein is even good for treating COPD and a variety of other respiratory ailment. Note: the leaves are big and fuzzy. Soft to the touch.

I think now that I have identified black raspberries and wineberries I might add that to my new side hill berry garden near the cabin this spring. I also purchased encore raspberries and traditional blackberries. I am looking forward to planting and watching the delicious fruit grow! Botany is so interesting and can teach us so much about the world around us and how our physical selves can interact with it and even benefit from it. I just love it!