Page 97 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Partridgeberry/Twin-flower,

Mitchella repens (RUBIACEAE)

PARTRIDGEBERRY / TWIN-FLOWER, Checkerberry,
Squawberry, Teaberry, Running box, Two-eyed berry,
or Squaw vine can be found in both dry and moist for-
ests. They are woody, non-climbing, trailing evergreen
vines that grow in rocky woodlands, wooded sand dune
slopes, on sandstone ledges and mossy boulders in ra-
vines, and along edges of swamps and bogs.
FLOWER: Flowers are white, trumpet-shaped, and grow
in pairs. Each 0.5 inch (1cm)-long flower has 4 fuzzy
petals. They produce a single shiny, red berry up to 0.3
inches (8mm) across, with a tiny dimple and star-shaped
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Leaves and berries
marks.
can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be enjoyed in
LEAF: Opposite, paired leaves are roundish with a white desserts or savory dishes, in puddings, pies, cakes,
central vein, and may be variegated with whitish veins. jams, sauces, and so on.
Each leaf is 0.5-2 inches (1.3-5cm).
PARTRIDGEBERRY JAM: Bring 1 cup berries and ⅓
EDIBLE PARTS: leaves and berries cup water to a boil. Add ½-1 cup sugar, ½ tsp. pectin,
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Tea from fresh or dry leaves is orange zest, and cinnamon. Cook for 15 min. Boil jar
used for severe menstrual cramps or heavy menstrual and lid to sterilize. Seal in hot sterile jars.
bleeding.

Passion-flower, Passiflora

incarnata (PASSIFLORACEAE)

PASSION-FLOWER, also known as Maypop and Wild
Passion Vine, is a broadleaf evergreen found in aver-
age, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade along
streams, roadsides, woodland edges, and meadows. It’s
a fast-growing perennial vine that uses tendrils to climb
up to 25 ft. (7.5 m) long.
FLOWER: Long stalked flowers appear in the apex of
leaves. 5 greenish-white sepals and 5 greenish-white
petals alternate to form a saucer, and is overlain by pur-
ple or pink corona filaments with 3 stigma and 5 anthers
projecting from the center on a long, trumpet shaped
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Pinch flowers, leaves,
tube. Oblong green fruits are filled with sweet, fleshy
and stems. Use fresh or dried in tea. Harvest fruits
covered seeds. Fruits are 1.5–3 inches (4-7.5cm) in di-
just at color change to yellow and slightly wrinkled.
ameter.
Eat fruit fresh or juiced. Leaves can be eaten raw or
LEAF: Green leaves are 3-6 inches (7-15cm) wide, pal- cooked.
matifid (hand-shaped with lobes clefting about halfway
PASSION-FLOWER TEA: Place 2 flowers, 2-3 leaves
to the base), alternate, 3- or 5- lobed.
with stems in 1 ¼ cup boiling water, cover and steep
EDIBLE PARTS: leaves, flowers, and fruit 10 min. Strain and add honey.
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Tea made from fresh or dried WARNING: Passion-flower tea can disturb uterine
leaves, flowers, and stems is used for insomnia, lowering contractions and can cause miscarriage or premature
blood pressure, inflammation, heart problems, meno- labor. Nursing moms shouldn’t use passion-flower.
pausal symptoms, skin conditions, depression, and anx- Consuming tea in excess can result in vomiting, cogni-
iety. tive distress, dizziness, and stomach upset.

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