NEW ENGLAND ASTER
About New England Aster
Another common roadside edible flower. Probably one of the only purple flowers of its type around here. Looks kind of like a daisy but with purple petals, a purplish stem and multiple flowers on multiple branches on the same plant.
Primary use
medicinal
Edible parts
Everything – leaves/tops as greens, seeds as fill or ground to flour.
Medicinal
root has been used for pain, fever
Foraging Plant information list
This is not a complete list, this is a list of the species I have directly witnessed in my travels here in Northwest Ontario. If you find something before I do, email me and let me know.
Lambs Quarters
Joe Pye Weed
Cattails
Labrador Tea
Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy)
Chickweed
Clover (Red)
Clover (White)
Clover (Sweet White)
Fiddleheads
Fireweed
Goldenrod
Bull Thistle
New England Aster
Saskatoon (Service berry)
Blueberry
Pin Cherry
Hazelnuts
Raspberry
Red Currants
Cranberry
Thimble Berry
Cloud Berry
Squashberry (Low bush Cranberry)
Spruce Tips
Birch
Juniper
Willow
Identification
Purple petaled flowers with yellow center. Single flower on the end of a purplish/red branch. Multiple branches/flowers on an individual plant.
Where to look
Along roadsides/disturbed areas, they enjoy sun and a multitude of soil types. Driving bush roads where the roadsides are cut back regularly provide great habitat.
