in the upper peninsula Michigan

50 Common Plants in Disturbed Areas, Gardens, and Urban Spaces

Important Safety Notice

Always properly identify plants before consumption. When in doubt, consult field guides, local experts, or botanists. Start with small amounts when trying new plants. Avoid areas treated with chemicals, near roads, or polluted sites.

1. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Habitat: Lawns, gardens, roadsides, disturbed soil Edible Parts: Entire plant – leaves, flowers, roots Medicinal Uses: Liver support, diuretic, digestive aid Preparation: Raw in salads, cooked greens, flower wine, root tea

2. Plantain (Plantago major & P. lanceolata)

Habitat: Compacted soil, walkways, disturbed areas Edible Parts: Young leaves, seeds Medicinal Uses: Wound healing, anti-inflammatory, respiratory support Preparation: Fresh poultice, cooked greens, seed as psyllium substitute

3. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

Habitat: Gardens, cultivated areas, sandy disturbed soil Edible Parts: Leaves, stems, flowers, seeds Medicinal Uses: High in omega-3s, anti-inflammatory Preparation: Raw in salads, cooked as spinach, pickled

4. Lamb’s Quarters (Chenopodium album)

Habitat: Gardens, fields, waste areas, rich soil Edible Parts: Young leaves, shoots, seeds Medicinal Uses: Nutrient dense, digestive support Preparation: Steamed like spinach, seeds ground for flour

5. Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Habitat: Moist, shaded disturbed areas, gardens Edible Parts: Above-ground portions Medicinal Uses: Skin conditions, anti-inflammatory, cooling Preparation: Raw in salads, cooked greens, topical poultice

6. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

Habitat: Fields, lawns, roadsides, disturbed grasslands Edible Parts: Flowers, young leaves Medicinal Uses: Respiratory support, blood purifier, hormonal balance Preparation: Flower tea, dried flowers, cooked young leaves

7. Wild Garlic/Onion (Allium sp, A tricoccum, A. canadense)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, gardens, fields, moist areas Edible Parts: Bulbs, leaves, flowers Medicinal Uses: Antimicrobial, cardiovascular support, immune system Preparation: Raw or cooked like domestic garlic/onion

8. Violet (Viola species)

Habitat: Shaded disturbed areas, garden edges, moist soil Edible Parts: Leaves, flowers Medicinal Uses: Respiratory conditions, skin health, high in vitamins Preparation: Raw flowers/leaves, cooked greens, flower syrup

9. Wood Sorrel (Oxalis species)

Habitat: Shaded gardens, disturbed woodland edges Edible Parts: Leaves, flowers, immature seed pods Medicinal Uses: Vitamin C source, cooling, mild astringent Preparation: Raw in small amounts, cooked, pickled

10. Mallow (Malva neglecta & M. sylvestris)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, gardens, waste areas Edible Parts: Leaves, flowers, immature fruits (“cheeses”) Medicinal Uses: Soothing mucilage, respiratory and digestive support Preparation: Raw leaves, cooked greens, flower garnish

11. Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

Habitat: Shaded disturbed areas, garden edges, moist soil Edible Parts: Young leaves (small amounts) Medicinal Uses: Respiratory conditions, kidney support, wound healing Preparation: Tea, cooked in small amounts, topical wash

12. Burdock (Arctium minus)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, roadsides, waste areas Edible Parts: First-year roots, young leaves, flower stalks Medicinal Uses: Blood purifier, liver support, skin conditions Preparation: Root cooked like carrots, young leaves cooked

13. Curly Dock (Rumex crispus)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, fields, roadsides, moist areas Edible Parts: Young leaves, seeds, roots Medicinal Uses: Iron source, blood purifier, skin conditions Preparation: Young leaves cooked, seeds ground, root decoction

14. Wild Amaranth (Amaranthus species)

Habitat: Cultivated areas, gardens, disturbed soil Edible Parts: Young leaves, seeds Medicinal Uses: Nutrient dense, astringent properties Preparation: Cooked greens, seeds ground for flour or popped

15. Pineapple Weed (Matricaria discoidea)

Habitat: Compacted soil, paths, disturbed areas Edible Parts: Flowers, young leaves Medicinal Uses: Digestive aid, calming, similar to chamomile Preparation: Tea from flowers, small amounts raw

16. Wild Mustard (Brassica species)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, fields, gardens, roadsides Edible Parts: Young leaves, flowers, seeds, roots Medicinal Uses: Warming, circulation stimulant, respiratory support Preparation: Cooked greens, seed as spice, flowers raw

17. Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, gardens, fields, waste areas Edible Parts: Young leaves, seeds Medicinal Uses: Wound healing, circulation support, nutrient dense Preparation: Young leaves raw or cooked, seeds as seasoning

18. Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

Habitat: Disturbed woodland edges, garden borders Edible Parts: Fruits, young leaves Medicinal Uses: Astringent, digestive support, vitamin C Preparation: Fresh fruits, leaf tea, dried leaves

19. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, abandoned gardens, waste places, fence rows Edible Parts: Young leaves (bitter, use sparingly) Medicinal Uses: Heart support, calming nervous system, women’s health Preparation: Dried leaf tea, tincture, small amounts in cooking blends

20. Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

Habitat: Disturbed woodland edges, shaded gardens Edible Parts: Leaves, flowers, roots, seeds Medicinal Uses: Antimicrobial, wound healing, nutritive Preparation: Young leaves raw, older leaves cooked, root condiment

21. Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum)

Habitat: Moist disturbed areas, ditches, garden edges, rich soil Edible Parts: Young leaf stalks, flower buds, roots (requires careful preparation) Medicinal Uses: Traditional digestive aid, anti-inflammatory (external) Preparation: Young stalks peeled and cooked, roots boiled ⚠️ CAUTION: Can cause skin burns – wear gloves, avoid in sun after handling as the sap and plant juices contain Furocoumarins which are phototoxic, meaning their toxicity is enhanced by UV light

22. Ragweed (Ambrosia species)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, fields, roadsides, waste areas Edible Parts: Young leaves (small amounts), seeds Medicinal Uses: Traditional wound treatment, astringent properties Preparation: Young leaves cooked, seeds ground for flour Note: Major allergen for hay fever sufferers

23. Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa crus-galli)

Habitat: Moist disturbed areas, gardens, agricultural edges Edible Parts: Seeds, young shoots Medicinal Uses: Seeds traditionally used for digestive issues Preparation: Seeds hulled and cooked like rice, young shoots cooked

24. Foxtail Millet (Setaria species)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, gardens, fields, waste areas Edible Parts: Seeds, young leaves Medicinal Uses: Nutritive, digestive support Preparation: Seeds cooked as grain, young leaves cooked as greens

25. Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, pastures, roadsides, waste areas Edible Parts: Young stems (peeled), roots, flower heads Medicinal Uses: Liver support, digestive bitter Preparation: Stems peeled and cooked, roots boiled, flower buds steamed

26. Cinquefoil (Potentilla species)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, lawns, roadsides, poor soils Edible Parts: Young leaves (limited), roots Medicinal Uses: Astringent, wound healing, digestive support Preparation: Leaves as tea (small amounts), root decoction

27. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields, roadsides, poor soils Edible Parts: Flowers, young leaves (limited use) Medicinal Uses: Mood support, wound healing, nerve pain Preparation: Flower oil infusion, dried herb tea, tincture ⚠️ CAUTION: Can cause photosensitivity, interacts with medications

28. Bedstraw (Galium species)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, garden edges, waste places Edible Parts: Young leaves, shoots, seeds Medicinal Uses: Diuretic, lymphatic support, wound healing Preparation: Young shoots cooked, seeds as coffee substitute, leaf tea

29. Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, fields, roadsides, waste areas Edible Parts: Young leaves, shoots Medicinal Uses: Traditional soap plant, mild saponins Preparation: Young leaves cooked like spinach, shoots steamed

30. Buttercup (Ranunculus species)

Habitat: Moist disturbed areas, fields, garden edges Edible Parts: NOT RECOMMENDED – TOXIC Medicinal Uses: AVOID – Contains toxic compounds Preparation: DO NOT CONSUME – Can cause severe irritation ⚠️ WARNING: All parts contain toxic compounds causing mouth/throat burns; they contain specifically protoanemonin, which can cause irritation, vomiting, and other severe symptoms

31. Black Bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus)

Habitat: Cultivated areas, gardens, disturbed soil Edible Parts: Young leaves, seeds (related to buckwheat) Medicinal Uses: Nutritive, mild astringent properties Preparation: Young leaves cooked, seeds hulled and ground

32. Yarrow (Achillea sp, Amillefolium)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, lawns, roadsides, poor soils Edible Parts: Young leaves (bitter, small amounts) Medicinal Uses: Wound healing, fever reducer, digestive bitter Preparation: Dried leaf tea, fresh poultice, tincture

33. Vetch (Vicia species)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields, roadsides, poor soils Edible Parts: Young pods, seeds (some species), leaves Medicinal Uses: Nutritive, traditional skin applications Preparation: Young pods cooked, seeds like small beans ⚠️ CAUTION: Some species contain toxins – proper identification essential

34. Carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata)

Habitat: Sandy disturbed soil, gardens, cultivated areas Edible Parts: Young leaves and stems Medicinal Uses: Traditional cooling herb, mild diuretic Preparation: Young parts cooked like spinach, added to soups

35. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, gardens, roadsides, waste places Edible Parts: Young leaves, flowers Medicinal Uses: Calming, digestive aid, fever reducer Preparation: Dried leaf tea, fresh in cooking (mint family)

36. Goldenrod (Solidago species)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields, roadsides, poor soils Edible Parts: Young leaves, flowers Medicinal Uses: Kidney/urinary support, wound healing, anti-inflammatory Preparation: Flower tea, young leaves cooked, tincture

37. Milkweed (Asclepias species, A syriaca)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields, roadsides, poor soils Edible Parts: Young shoots, flower buds, young pods (requires specific preparation) Medicinal Uses: Traditional respiratory support, wart removal Preparation: Multiple boiling changes required to remove toxins ⚠️ CAUTION: Requires expert knowledge – contains cardiac glycosides, The common milkweed, A syriaca, has the lesser amount of toxins among species when harvested at early growth stages without reddening.

38. Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum complex)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, gardens, waste areas Edible Parts: Ripe berries only (purple-black), cooked leaves Medicinal Uses: Traditional cooling herb, skin applications Preparation: Only fully ripe berries, leaves cooked extensively ⚠️ WARNING: Green parts and unripe berries toxic – expert identification required especially if your in areas where Atropa belladona, deadly nightshade, also grows such as Europe

39. Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

Habitat: Moist disturbed areas, fence rows, waste places Edible Parts: NOT RECOMMENDED – TOXIC Medicinal Uses: AVOID – Dangerous toxins Preparation: DO NOT CONSUME ⚠️ DANGER: All parts highly toxic, especially berries

40. Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields, roadsides, poor soils Edible Parts: Young leaves, flower buds, petals Medicinal Uses: Traditional wound healing, mild astringent Preparation: Young leaves cooked, flower buds pickled, petals as garnish

41. Hemp Nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, waste areas, cultivated ground Edible Parts: Young leaves (small amounts) Medicinal Uses: Traditional respiratory support, astringent Preparation: Young leaves cooked, dried leaf tea

42. Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, fields, roadsides, sandy areas Edible Parts: NOT RECOMMENDED – TOXIC Medicinal Uses: AVOID – Contains dangerous alkaloids Preparation: DO NOT CONSUME ⚠️ WARNING: All parts toxic, especially berries and roots

43. Smartweed (Persicaria pensylvanica)

Habitat: Moist disturbed areas, ditches, wet soils Edible Parts: Young leaves, seeds Medicinal Uses: Astringent, wound healing, digestive support Preparation: Young leaves cooked, seeds ground, leaf tea

44. Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, waste places Edible Parts: First-year roots only Medicinal Uses: Traditional digestive support Preparation: Roots cooked like domestic parsnips ⚠️ CAUTION: Causes severe burns – wear protection, avoid after flowering

45. Burnweed/Pilewort (Erechtites hieraciifolius)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, clearings, burn sites, waste areas Edible Parts: Young leaves (cooked) Medicinal Uses: Traditional wound healing, anti-inflammatory Preparation: Young leaves cooked thoroughly, topical poultice

46. Mullein (Verbascum sp, V. thapsus, V nigra, V. blattaaria, V. olympicum, V phoeniceum etc)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, roadsides, fields, poor soils Edible Parts: Young leaves (limited), flowers Medicinal Uses: Respiratory support, wound healing, ear infections Preparation: Flower oil, leaf tea (strain well), dried leaves

47. American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

Habitat: Rich disturbed soil, waste areas, fence rows Edible Parts: Young leaves, shoots only (requires specific preparation), berry juice with seed removed Medicinal Uses: DANGEROUS – Avoid medicinal use Preparation: Young shoots boiled in 3 changes of water ⚠️ DANGER: Roots and mature parts extremely toxic, can be fatal

48. Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

Habitat: Disturbed moist areas, stream banks, waste places Edible Parts: Young shoots, young leaves Medicinal Uses: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardiovascular support Preparation: Young shoots cooked like asparagus, leaves as tea

49. Ground Cherry (Physalis species)

Habitat: Disturbed soil, gardens, fields, waste areas Edible Parts: Ripe fruits only (when husks are papery) Medicinal Uses: Traditional diuretic, anti-inflammatory Preparation: Ripe fruits raw or cooked, dried for winter storage ⚠️ CAUTION: Only fully ripe fruits – green fruits and leaves toxic

50. Wild Lettuce (Lactuca sp, L. serriola), L. biennis, L. canadensis etc

Habitat: Disturbed soil, roadsides, waste areas, poor soils Edible Parts: Young leaves (before flowering) Medicinal Uses: Traditional pain relief, calming, sleep aid Preparation: Young leaves raw or cooked, latex avoided (bitter)

Harvesting Guidelines

Best Practices

Harvest from clean areas away from pollution
Take only what you need (1/3 rule – leave 2/3 of the plant)
Harvest during optimal times (usually morning after dew dries)
Learn proper identification – use multiple field guides
Start with small amounts when trying new plants

Seasonal Considerations

Spring: Focus on young greens and emerging shoots
Summer: Flowers and mature leaves
Fall: Seeds, roots, and late-season growth
Winter: Roots of biennial plants, evergreen species

Processing and Preservation

Clean thoroughly but gently
Use immediately when possible for maximum nutrition
Dry herbs in well-ventilated, dark areas
Store dried materials in airtight containers
Label everything with date and location

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Check local regulations regarding foraging
Obtain permission before harvesting on private property
Never harvest rare or endangered species
Be mindful of ecosystem impact
Consider cultivation over wild harvesting when possible

Resources for Further Learning

Workshops with experienced foragers and herbalistsAdditional Safety Warnings

Local extension offices and master gardener programs

Native plant societies and foraging groups

University herbarium collections

Reputable field guides specific to your region

Dangerous Plants (Do not Eat):

Buttercup – Severe mouth and throat burns
Bittersweet Nightshade – Highly toxic alkaloids
Horse Nettle – Dangerous solanine compound

Plants Requiring cautions:

Pokeweed – Proper preparation ( of young leaves and shoots) is boiled in 3 changes of water before use in foods as the toxin is water soluble cooking does not break down the poisonous principles, oxalic acid and a saponin called phytolaccotoxin. Dose makes the poison so consume moderately.
Milkweed – properly prepared young leaves, shoots, immature blossoms, fully mature blossoms as cooked fritters, immature seed pods. Proper preparation is boiled in 3 changes of water before use in foods as the glycosides are water soluble and cooking does not break down toxin. Dose makes the poison so consume moderately.
Wild Parsnip & Cow Parsnip – and other carrot family may cause chemical burns Both wild parsnip and cow parsnip contain furanocoumarins, toxins that cause phytophotodermatitis, a severe skin reaction when exposed to sunlight. Contact with their sap, particularly the clear sap from wild parsnip, can result in redness, blisters, and long-lasting skin discoloration, similar to a severe sunburn. The reaction is caused by the furanocoumarins being activated by UV radiation from the sun.
Vetch species – Some contain neurotoxins. The most reliably edible species that may appear as weeds are common vetch (Vicia sativa) and tufted vetch (Vicia cracca). Other vetch varieties, such as hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), are considered toxic. Foragers must be completely confident in their identification before consuming any part of the plant. Important safety precautions:
- Confirm identification: Do not consume any vetch unless you are 100% certain of the species. Many toxic vetches look similar to edible ones. When in doubt, do not eat.
- Cook seeds: The seeds of most vetch species contain toxins that are neutralized by cooking. Thoroughly boil any vetch seeds before eating.
- Avoid certain parts: The seeds of most vetch species are considered the most toxic, even in edible varieties.
- Limit consumption: Do not consume vetch in large quantities. Excessive consumption, particularly of the seeds, can cause health issues.

Plants with Drug Interactions:

St. John’s Wort – Interacts with many medications
Yarrow – Can affect blood clotting

Remember: This presentation is for educational purposes. Always consult with healthcare providers before using plants medicinally, especially if you have health conditions or take medications.