Fairybells, Including the Saskatchewan Rough-fruited Fairybell (Prosartes trachycarpa

Prosartes is a genus of flowering plants in the lily family. For several decades plants of this genus were included in genus Disporum. Later studies of morphology and cytology, as well as genetic analysis, show the North American plants to be different from the Asian genus (Disporum)

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Rough-fruited Fairybells, Prosartes trachycarpa, Saskatchewan Rough-fruited Fairybells or  Rough-Fruited Mandarin, shown directly above, is a member of the genus Prosartes of perennial flowering plants in the family Liliaceae. The flowers are delicate and hang down. It has stamens that hang down well below the petals of the flowers, and conspicuously rough-skinned velvety surfaced orange to red berries with 6-12 seeds. The berry is larger than a Saskatoon, Pincherry or Chokecherry, about the size of a grocery store, red cherry or small grape. The rough-fruited fairybell can also be found in the same locales as other native fruits such as Saskatoons, Pincherries and Chokecherries. This perennial is 12 inches to 24 inches in height. The leaves alternate and are about 1 inch to 3 inches in length.The berries begin a yellow colour, then change to orange and when fully ripe, to red. The surface of the fruit feels fuzzy and velvety.

Prosartes trachycarpa is found in much of Western Canada. They are listed amongst plants found in the Prince Albert National Park and Riding Mountain National Park and are considered a common range plant of northern Saskatchewan.

Hookers Fairybells, Prosartes hookerhas smooth berries with 4-6 seeds

Apparently, the berries of these plants were not widely eaten by North American Native peoples; and many of the once existing British Columbia tribes considered them to be poisonous. However it has been recorded that the Thompson and Shuswap peoples ate the berries raw; and that the rough- fruited fairbells were called (in their purely oral language) what would now be translated as false raspberries. Translation of another previous, and commonly used, name; would be dog feet.
© Al (Alex, Alexander) D Girvan. All rights reserved.

Lilies of the Valley, Convallaria majal, FALSE Lilies or the Valley, Maianthemum-False, and False Solomon's Seals

Convallaria majal is commonly known as the Lily of the Valley, is a sweetly scented (and highly poisonous) woodland flowering plant that is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe and in the southern Appalachian Mountains in the United States of the Americas. There is, however, some debate as to the native status of the North American variety. It is possibly the only species in the genus Convallaria (or one of two or three, if C. keiskei and C. transcaucasica are recognised as separate species).

Caution is advised when eating False Lily of the Valley (as is true of most berries) eating too many can cause severe diarrhoea.

The berries of the FALSE Lily of the valley species that I mention here are considered edible but are bitter tasting and not very palatable; but remember, SURVIVAL is not about likes or dislikes. The genus name is derived from the Latin word for May, referring to the flowering time of these plants. The fruit of Maianthemum species is a true berry.

Fruit: Berries are pea- sized, hard ad green at first, then red when ripe.

Season: Flowers May to June. Fruit ripens July through September.

Description: Herbaceous creeping perennial, arising from rhizomes and usually forming large colonies. Leaves heart shaped, alternating with prominent parallel veins. Flowers small, white, with 4 petals borne in distinct clusters, blooming early spring. Fruit borne at the top of stems in clusters Found in moist clearings

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 NOTE: the stem less leaves of this Maianthemum canadense plant.

Wild FALSE Lilly of the Valley, Maianthemum canadense, is a smaller plant with stalk less leaves The berries are, at first, cream coloured  with red speckles, then pink, with red flecks, finally ripening to soled red. This plant is found in MOIST Eastern British Columbia forests. Also called: Canada Mayflower.

 NOTE:the stemmed leaves of this Maianthemum dilatatum plant.

False Lily of the Valley, Maianthemum dilatatum, is the larger plant, with normally, two leaves near the top and one near the base (the leaves are stalked). Unripe berries are hard and green, turning mottled brown, then soft and red, when ripe.This plant, occurs in swampy areas and shady, moist wilds in coastal British Columbia, with a limited range in the East-Central part of the province. Also called: Two-leafed Solomon’s Seal or Snake Berries.

Many groups in British Columbia CANADA ate false Lily of the Valley, but it was rarely highly regarded as a staple food. The berries were usually only eaten by children, or by hunters, and berry pickers ont in search of other berries. However, it is claimed that the former Haida peoples once used the berries to a great extent. Apparently, they ate the berries fresh and also picked them when unripe and stored them until they were red and soft  
False Solomon's Seal, Maianthemum racemosum, grows in clumps from a fleshy root stock. The berries are first green with copper coloured spots. Also called: Feathery False Lily of the Valley.
Star Flowered, False Solomon's Seal, differentiated from Maianthemum by being smaller, with fewer flowers and leaves, and a LOT fewer,  but larger, berries. Also called Starry False Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley Phenomenon: The odour of lily of the valley, specifically the ligand bourgeonal, attracts mammal sperm in a dramatic manner. The 2003 discovery of this phenomenon prompted a new wave of research into odour reception, but no evidence was found that the female sex organ has similar odours of any kind.

A 2012 study demonstrated instead that at high concentrations, bourgeonal imitated the role of progesterone in stimulating sperm to swim (chemotaxis), a process unrelated to odour reception.


© Al (Alex, Alexander) D. Girvan. All rights reserved.

One-flowered Clintonia, Clintonia unifloria. Also called Queens Cup, Blue Bead, Bead Lily

The berry of this species, though unusual in appearance, is dry, insipid, and mildly toxic so is not a recommended food source. It is claimed that the former Nuxalk peoples of Bella Coola  called it "Wolf's Berry" because they considered it inedible to humans and edible only to wolves. In reality, they are eaten by many small animals and many birds, especially grouse relish the berries. It is also claimed that the Thompson peoples of the interior, once, made dye from the fruit

Twisted Stalks, Streptopus

These perennials are commonly call "twisted stalks" because of the kinks; sometimes right-angled, sometimes just curved, present on the main stem and flower stalks. Post European arrival and settlement, so called, Aboriginal, names, often included: Owl berries, Witch Berries, Black BearBerries, and frog berries.

Twisted stalks are closely related to Fairybells.

Twisted Stalk is widely distributed across North America. The plant is most often found near shaded stream banks and in moist thickets of the mountain and sub-alpine zones across most of North America. It is also found in similar locations in Europe and Asia.

It is claimed, in story, myth and by many modern researchers; that in bygone days, when such existed, that most Native peoples regarded twisted stalks mainly for medicine. On the other hand there are almost an equal number that claim the berries and plant were once used as a staple food plant by Native Americans in Eastern North America and as a medicine.  It is also sometimes claimed that the plant was referred to by early settlers of Eastern and Western North America as "wild cucumber" and as "scoot berries" for the mildly laxative effects of the berries if they are eaten in excessive quantities

Uses and Edibility: Apparently, the tender young shoots of this plant were eaten by Native Americans as a salad green, and the bright-coloured berries were eaten either raw or cooked in soups and stews; but, most consider the older plant and berries poisonous. The entire plant is sweet with a cucumber-like flavour. The berries are also reported to be juicy and sweet, with a cucumber-like flavour.  The juice of the berries was used as a soothing treatment for burns by pioneer Canadians and other North Americans as well. Some claim twisted stalks were highly regarded for their general restorative quantities and that they were taken raw a tonic, to treat general sickness, the whole plant was used to reduce coughs, loss of appetite stomach aches spitting up blood kidney problems, and even to treat gonorrhoea.

Twisted Stalk has a superficial resemblance to False Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum racemosum), but Twisted Stalk produces axillary flowers and fruits along the stem, where False Solomon's Seal produces a terminal inflorescence. Also False Solomon's Seal is always a single unbranched stem, while Twisted Stalk can be branched at the bottom. In fruit, Twisted Stalk is easily identified by its large, juicy red berries which grow from each leaf axil and are highly visible, even in the thickest undergrowth, as they boldly contrast with the surrounding foliage.

Warning: When young, Twisted Stalk also resemble false –hellebore and members of the genus Veratrum, highly toxic plants that are also members of the lily family. This plant should not be consumed unless identification is positive.

Clasping Twisted-stalk, Streptopus amplexifolius, is a species of flowering plant in the family Liliaceae, native to North America, Europe and Asia.

Rosy-Twisted- stalk, Streptopus lancelatus, stems are usually unbranched, curved (not zigzagged), leaves not clasping; rose –purple or pink flowers with white tips.

Small Twisted-stalk, Streptopus streptopoides leaves are oval shaped to oblong, lance shaped. The flowers are single, wine coloured with yellow/green tips, hanging from leaf axis.. The fruit is orange to red

© Al (Alex, Alexander) D. Girvan. All rights reserved.

Elderberries, From the Honeysuckle Famly-Caprifolliaceae

In the photo, which appears above, you have, undoubtedly noticed that the Elderberries appear to be very similar to Chokecherries. Blue Elderberries will have a "bloom" similar to common Blueberries.
Warning: Edibility: It is claimed that early tribal Canadians generally considered raw Elderberries inedible and only cooked berries edible.The bark, branches, leaves, roots, twigs of all Elderberries are indeed considered poisonous. But, as you can read below, Elderberries have found their way into the ranks of  "safe" edible plants.This is not because the cooked fruit has improved and for generations most peoples of the Pacific Coast did utalize the fruit,(perhaps, the mixed race Canadians of today's word have developed more tolerance than their partial ancestors).
Although none of the groups or tribes regarded Elderberries as a reliable or staple food source; the cooked fruit of this small tree was widely eaten by earlier coastal peoples of present-day British Columbia. 
Elderberries are an unpleasant smelling deciduous shrub with pithy, opposite branches often sprouting from the base The flowers are white, forming crowned, branched clusters.
Black Elderberry, Sambucus racemosa melanocarpa, with purple/black fruit grows predominately in the interior of British Columbia, although it does, occasionally, occur West of the coastal Mountain range.
Blue Elderberry,Sambucus nigra most commonly grows East of the Cascades. Blue Elderberries have excellent edibility, with one stipulation, although the fruit can be consumed raw, or cooked, the raw berries can cause nausea in some persons The low grade toxin  is , apparently, destroyed by cooking. 
Red Elderberry, Sambucus pubens, is the predominate species West of the Cascades. Elderberries have long been considered to produce excellent wine, and the flowers of this plant are used for Elderflower tea.
 Survive, but do so Responsibly: In the summer, when the flower heads are becoming spent, place a large paper bag over the flower head and shake. All the ripe petals will fall into the sack, without damaging the fertilized flowers, which will in turn mature into berries in the fall.
©Al (Alex, Alexander) D. Girvan. All rights reserved.

False Wintergreens, Gaultheria

The small, sweet berries of this species are delicious and may be eaten fresh, served with cream. and sugar or cooked in sauces. Their flavour improves after first frost, so they are at their best in fall or winter (even under the snow if you are really persistent.) The  dry, crushed, berries and leaves are also used to make strong aromatic tea.

All false-wintergreens contain methyl salicylate (similar to the aspirin which is derived from willow. Like aspirin, it is an effective pain killer).

WARNING: OIL OF WINTERGREEN CONTAINS METHYL SALICYLIC, A DRUG THAT HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTAL POISONINGS. I SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN INTERNALLY, EXCEPT IN VERY SMALL AMOUNTS Avoid applying the oil, or any creams, whn you are hot, because dangerous amounts could still be absorbed through the open pores of your skin. Although usually less severe, like poison ivy and oak, it is known to cause skin reactions. People who are allergic to aspirin should not use any of false-wintergreens or relatives there of.

 It provides fragrance to various products such as toothpaste, chewing gum and candy. It is a flavouring agent (at no more than 0.04 percent), and an ingredient in DEEP – HEAT sport creams.  The oil is a source of triboluminescence, a phenomenon in which a substance produces light when rubbed, scratched, or crushed. The oil, when missed with sugar, and dried, builds up an electrical charge that releases electrical sparks when ground, producing the (once, long before television, a great attraction to kids)the Wint-O-Green Lifesavers optical phenomenon. To observe this: look in a mirror, in a dark room, and chew the candy, with your mouth open.

Salal,Gaultheria shallon, (shown above) can be upright or ground crawling. Salal can also be sparse or form a dense barrier almost impossible to penetrate. The names salal and shallon are both presumed to be of North American origin: the former name is presumed to be from Chinook jargon sallal, and the latter is presumed to be from another native word the approximate pronunciation of which was recorded by Lewis and Clark as "shelwel, shellwell" but, of course, not only did the indigenous North American natives existing at that time, not use our alphabet; even the way we utter the letter sounds of said alphabet have changed, drastically; so that pronunciation is very, very, approximate, indeed. The genus Gaultheria was named by Pehr Kalm for his guide in Canada, fellow botanist Jean-François Gaultier.

Salal berries were once one of the most important crops to many of the Aboriginal or Indigenous inhabitants of British Columbia. They were used in soups, stews, and made into fruit leather. These sweet berries are almost unknown in other parts of North America. They have a strong, unique and pleasing flavour. Jellied salal tastes wonderful on toast, crepes, and pancakes or in sauces for meats, fowl and game.

FASCINATING FACTS:

Salal spreads by suckering layer upon layer and is probably the most dominant shrub in the British Columbia coastal forest area.

- the strong, flexible branches and stems of the Salal plant are well designed to withstand the wet heavy snows; they merely bend instead of breaking

- Salal berries were a major food source for BC's native peoples.

Alpine False –wintergreen, Gaultheria humifusia has long glossy leaves rounded to blunt at tips with pink or green-white, 5 lobed flowers and scarlet pulpy berries. These berries are drier and not as palatable as other Gaultheria species. Grows in moist to wet sub-alpine meadows in southern British Columbia Also called: alpine wintergreen, and creeping wintergreen.

Hairy False-wintergreen, Gaultaheria hispidula, has tiny, stiff, flat lying, brown hairs on its stems and lower leaf surfaces. Leafs are very small and the flowers are very tiny, 4 lobed. The berries of this false evergreen are white, small, and on a short stock. They persist through fall and winter. Grows in cold, wet bogs and coniferous forests in mountain and sub-alpine zones. Associated with acid soils and often grows in mosses under conifers, or on rotting logs, along the edges of swamps, or bogs. Also called creeping SNOW BERRY

Slender False-wintergreen , Gaulheria ovatifolia, is very similar to alpine false wintergreen except that it has red hairy (rather than hairless)calyxes ant pointed long leaves. Grows in moist to wet British Columbia forests, heaths and bogs in mountain and sub-alpine Southern sites.

© Al (Alex,Alexander) D. Girvan. All rights reserved.

Bilberries, Blueberries, Cranberries, Grouseberries, Huckleberries, Whortleberries

The fruits of these plants are all edible and disaster/emergency survival or no, are among the most flavourful that one can gather from the wilds. Some (cranberries) tend to be rather tart while others (blueberries) tend to be purely sweet. All the plants are so closely related that they are placed in a single genus VACCINIUM, their ancient Latin name. There are more than a dozen different species in Western Canada.

They are perennial flowering plants usually with blue indigo, or red coloured berries and are from the section Cyanococcus within the genus Vaccinium  Species in the section Cyanococcus are the most common fruits sold as "blueberries" and are native to North America (commercially cultivated high bush blueberries were not introduced into Europe until the 1930s.

All Vacciniums have rather inconspicuous bell shaped flowers that later develop into many seeded berries. The flowers are white, pale pink or red, sometimes tinged with green.

Blueberries are usually erect. Prostrate shrubs can vary in size from 4 inches to over 13 feet in height. In the commercial production of blueberries, the smaller species are known as "low-bush blueberries" (synonymous with "wild"), while the larger species are known as "high-bush blueberries"(synonymous with cultivated).

The leaves can be deciduous or evergreen, ovate to lanceolate, ½ to 3 inches long and ½ to 11/2 inches broad. The fruit is a berry up to about 1/2 inch in diameter with a flared crown at the end; they are pale greenish at first, then reddish-purple, and finally dark purple when ripe. They are covered in a protective coating of powdery wax, sometimes known as bloom. All blueberries have a sweet taste when mature, with variable acidity. Blueberry bushes typically bear fruit in the middle of the growing season: fruiting times are affected by local conditions such as altitude and latitude, so the height of the crop can vary from May to August depending upon these conditions.

Evergreen Huckleberry, Vaccinium ovatum is the coastal member. It is claimed that some of the West Coast Indigenous tribes once greatly valued the fruit of the “Winter Huckleberry” which are considered good for the liver. It is also claimed that some indigenous tribes once ate the berries as a ceremonial food to ensure health and prosperity for the coming seasons. Actually the berry matures in the fall, but ripe fruit can hang on the plant until December, making it an indispensable source of winter food for many animals. This is the only Vaccinium with leaves that last through the winter. The 1-inch long leaves are further featured by sawtoothed margins. The fruit, which ripens in early fall, is usually black, shiny, and sweet. However, the berries of some plants turn red brown, but they lack the juiciness of the black ones.

Red  Huckleberry, Vaccinum parvifolium, is the most abundant Vaccinium in the lowland forests west of the Cascades. It is a rather tall shrub, 4-8 feet, with strongly riged green stems. Its growth characteristic is open and airy. It loves rotting wood and shade. The semitranslucent, bright red fruit is ready for harvest in August and September.

False Huckleberry,Menziesia ferruginea, is a poisonous plant that like the true huckleberries, has small urn shaped flowers (above). They are very similar to the Vaccinium species. The FRUIT of this plant is a small many seeded capsule. However, sometimes there are small pink berry like "fruit" on the underside of its leaves--this is actually a fungus (Exobasidium vaccinis). While all parts of this plant are poisonous, these fungal "berries" are edible

Oval-leafed Blueberry, Vaccinium ovaliffolium , grows in higher elevations than the red huckle-berry. The pinkish flowers appear before the oval leaves have reached half their mature size of slightly less than 2 inches. From about August to October, depending in exact location, one can pick the blue/black fruit, which is coated with a whit wax/powder.

Grouse berry, Whorleberry, Little Leaf Huckleberry, Vaccinum scoparium, is the diminutive form of the shrubby Vacciniums. Scoparium means broom, and the plant appears as an irregular green tuft of tiny branches protruding from the ground. The twiggy stems are completely green. The pale leaves are thin, nearly egg shaped, and ½ inch long. Being less than 2 feet and more commonly only about 8 inches tall, the plant is a woody ground cover, sometimes covering huge areas of an open forest floor. Please, avoid walking, or camping on it: Breaking the main stem can, at the very least, adversely affect the growth of the plant. Since not all plants seem to fruit, and since birds and small animals all eat the semitranslucent red berries, discovery of a small patch of ripe fruit is something to cherish.

Bog Cranberry, Vaccinum oxycoccos, is a creeping, tiny shrub that thrives in bogs and swamps. Spagnum mass is its companion plant. The small leaves are deep green above and whitish below. The leaf edge is rolled downward. The deep red fruit can reach the size of ½ inch in diameter, looking very much oversized on this delicate plant.

© Al (Alex, Alexander) D. Girvan