Category: Medicinal Plants of Pioneer Valley

Sassafras albidum Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a plant with a tumultuous history. Native to much of the Eastern United States, many parts of this tree…

Our class was fortunate enough to have been given a presentation by Dr. Marge Bruchac of the University of Pennsylvania, an alum of Smith College,…

Taraxacum officinale Taraxacum officinale, commonly known as dandelion and seen as a weed, is native to Eurasia but has been naturalized in North America. It…

Lactuca serriola L. Lactuca serriola L., or Prickly Lettuce, is native to the Mediterranean region but is commonly found in this area as well. It…

Tilia americana Tilia americana is native to eastern North America and is very common in this area. The Basswood tree prefers well-draining loam soils but…

Asarum canadense Late in the summer of 1837, twenty-five members of the Saint Francis Abenaki tribe arrived in Deerfield, Massachusetts. They were descendants of a…

Asclepias syriaca Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is well-known as the sole food source for monarch butterfly larvae. It has also long been used in medicine,…

Urtica dioica Capable of growing just about anywhere, stinging nettle (urtica dioica) is a flowering plant that flourishes in soils fertilized by human or animal…

Eupatorium/Eutrochium purpureum Native to North America, including the Connecticut River Valley, Joe-Pye-weed or gravel root (eupatorium purpureum or eutrochium purpureum), is a perennial with an…

Betula lenta Commonly known as the sweet or black birch, Betula lenta, is native to the Eastern United States and can be found throughout the…