Mitchella repens, or partridgeberry is a creeping, ground hugging vinelike perennial herb that forms a mat of evergreen leaves in the shade and partial shade, especially under oak trees. The stems of this plant creep along the ground, rooting at the nodes. The shiny dark green leaves with white veins are located two-by-two, opposite on […]
Archive for the ‘Flora’ Category
Mitchella repens
Posted in Edible, Flora on December 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Tea, anyone?
Posted in Edible, Flora on December 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
While walking by a stand of wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), I mentioned to my friend that the plant was edible, or at least chewable. He put this to the test immediately and ate one of the berries, proclaiming that it did have an oily wintergreeny taste, albeit subtle. I almost suggested a non-descript looking mushroom to […]
Thoughts of winter green
Posted in Flora on November 28, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
While walking around the kettle ponds of Nickerson State park I couldn’t help but notice Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) littered among the pine needles and brambles. Simple in design and barren of flower this time of year it would be easy to ignore it but for the sheer numbers of this three-leaf creeper. Here and there […]
Run for cover
Posted in Flora on November 26, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Ground cover, that is. I get really excited about plants, especially the miniature gems that go about their business without relying on splashy colors and petal size. One of my current favorites is partridgeberry (Mitchella repens). While visiting coastal Maine on the Columbus day weekend I happened to find extensive mats of this miniature creeper. […]