Page 57 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Coneflower (Prairie), Ratibida

columnifera (ASTERACEAE)

UPRIGHT PRAIRIE CONEFLOWER, also known as
Mexican Hat, Long-headed Coneflower, and Thimble-
flower, is a perennial herb found across most of North
America, especially in prairies and sunny grasslands
with sandy soils. In full bloom, it can grow up to 1 ½-3
ft. (0.5-1 m) tall.
FLOWER: Each flower develops from a long, ribbed
stalk that grows from the uppermost leaf. The flower is
held at least ½ a foot (15 cm) above the leaves. Petals
can be yellow, red, or both and droop down, giving them
a thimble-like look. 4-12 petals are arranged around an
KEY MEDICINAL USES: A poultice from the leaves
upright cone that is about 1½ inches (4 cm) tall and cov-
and stems can be made for small wounds.
ered in numerous tiny disc flowers. These disc flowers
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: For best results, pick
eventually develop into minute seeds.
younger, fresh leaves in spring. The leaves and stem
LEAF: The dense, short hairs on the pale green leaves
make a pleasant tasting tea.
give them a slightly fuzzy texture. Each leaf is 6 inches
UPRIGHT PRAIRIE CONEFLOWER TEA RECIPE:
(15 cm) long and is heavily divided into 5-13 segments
You’ll need a handful of chopped leaves and stems.
that are roughly lance-shaped except for the final seg-
Pour boiling water over the leaves and stems and
ment, which has 3 rounded lobes.
brew for 5 min. Add honey or sugar to taste.
EDIBLE PARTS: leaves and stems (tea)
Cornflower/Bachelor’s Buttons,
Centaurea cyanus (ASTERACEAE)

CORNFLOWER is a pretty, blooming annual found nat-
uralized in North America, also known as Bachelor’s
Buttons. Originally found in grain and cornfields, it is
sensitive to modern agriculture techniques and herbi-
cides, and has become endangered in parts of its native
Europe. It grows 16- 35 inches (40-90 cm) tall on grey-
green branched stems.
FLOWER: It blooms all summer in variations of intense
blue colors. Flowers are about 1 ½ inches (3 cm) wide
and ringed with sparse long ray florets They produce a
scaled capsule.
flowers can be used raw, as an edible floral decora-
LEAF: Leaves are lance-shaped, narrow, pointed at the tion, or cookedas a garnish; they have a slight aromat-
tips, and are ½ to 2 inches (1-5 cm) long. ic, clove-like flavor. Young shoots are edible cooked.
EDIBLE PARTS: flowers, young shoots
FLOWER TEA BLEND: Gather flowers of cornflow-
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Dried flowers relieve itching, er, chamomile, and lavender. Dry and blend togeth-
suppress cough, and may be mildly diuretic and purga- er. Use 1 tsp. per cup of boiling water. Steep for 5-10
tive. min. Drink this relaxing tea at the end of the day. You
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Flowers bloom all sum- can also add wild raspberry leaves and leaves of lem-
mer long; harvest by collecting undamaged blooms. on balm.
Flowers are dried and used in herbal tea mixtures. Fresh

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