spring joy

connecting with plants

Bright Forsythia here, with the beautiful light sparkling through Cedar blurred in the background.

Forsythia, a sturdy, early bloomer which thrives without much tending and heralds the Spring sun, is an invasive plant to North America, native to China. One variety is used in Chinese medicine: lian qiao, for chills, fevers, headaches and burns… the very youngest leaves and the yellow flowers are said to be edible…though come with a warning***the leaves contain glycoside and may cause cancer! For me this plant, named after Scottish botanist William Forsythia, has always hinted at Scottish ancestors, seems to take over abandoned properties and brings much needed burst of yellow energy after a long, grey Winter. It was spread through the rest of the world by Robert Fortune, another Scott, responsible for some truly colonial, botanical espionage! Forsythia. http://www.eattheweeds.com/foraging-for-forsythia-2/

This bright, raggedy plant is said to have the magic of divination, anticipation, and bringer of compassion, love, and sustainable, long-term goals! https://www.pattiwigington.com/forsythia-folklore-and-magic/

Origins: Asia

Invasive to North America and Europe: Yes

Medicinal: Yes

Edible: Flowers ~ Yes, tiny, early leaves ~ ?

I acknowledge and am deeply grateful to the land tenders of unceded, ancestral lands of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

Belinda

Forage.followthetrail

Apple Star Photo