June 2010

Summer has arrived in the Kuyahoora valley with all its green beauty and light.  The plant above is the lovely Angelica whose roots I gather in the spring when it first arises.  It is now in full bloom in this small clearing along the West Canada Creek.  I spend many hours this time of year in full gathering regalia (ie.backpack, hiking boots, field guide, and bags for gathering) both on and, more usually, off the trail in the swamps, meadows and woods.  This time of year is full to the brim with herbal activities including planting, weeding, gathering, making tinctures, oils and putting plants on screens in the attic to dry. This is a picture of myself and my apprentice Hillary gathering Coltsfoot along Shed Brook, a small tributary of the West Canada.  The Coltsfoot is being gathered to make a tincture to be mixed with other herbs, including Wild Cherry, to make a cough syrup. Coltsfoot is a European native that has naturalized in great abundance here and is usually first recognized in early spring when it’s bright yellow, dandelion-like, flower first pops up.  The leaves appear after the flower dies back and are rather inconspicuous and unnoticeable if you’re not looking for them.

.