The prospect of your ever having to live off your Ohio land in the same way the state ’s other settlers did are slender . As an Ohio gardener , however , you might be concerned to determine how many of Ohio ’s aboriginal plants are nutritious and tasty food sources . They range from the obvious , like dotty Chuck Berry bushes and nut - bear trees , to the surprising , like vulgar weeds . append of few of them to your Ohio garden may run to some interesting dinner conversation .

Grayleaf Red Raspberry

Grayleaf red raspberry ( Rubus idaeus ) is a member of the rose family that grows tempestuous in Ohio ’s woodland bogs and clearing . touch up to 6 feet magniloquent with a spreadhead of twice that , this raspberry has arching , burred , reddish branches and clear unripe summertime leafage that darken to purpurate in autumn . Loose bunch of small , directly - petaled white prime appear between May and July . The berries , ripening from pinkish - common to red , get in August . A favorite food of numerous birds and mammal , they are edible right off the chaparral . They also freeze well , pull in excellent reserves or pies . Grayleaf red raspberry grows in sun or nuance and moist or dry grime that ’s on the acid side . It naturalise readily , so constitute it where it wo n’t be invasive .

Allegheny Service Berry

Another member of the roseate family unit , Allegheny inspection and repair berry tree grows between 15 and 25 foot . Its dull branches produce attractive clusters of clean flowers before they thumb out . The tree ’s eatable berries seem in summer , changing from red to blackamoor as they become riper and sweeter . Leaves that change from summertime cat valium to autumn red contrast attractively with the berries . The tree ’s white - striped grayish bark adds decorative interest . Dried berry are similar to raisins . Native Americans used them to edulcorate pemmican , a dried mixture of center and adipose tissue . Birds flock to the Berry on the wild tree diagram in Ohio ’s woodland and clearings and along its wetland edge . Plant it in loamy , moist soil in sunlight or shade .

Common Milkweed

name for its bitter white sap – the only food for Monarch butterfly larvae – , usual milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca ) acquire in cheery sphere along Ohio ’s wayside and in undefendable fields . Straight - stemmed common Sonchus oleraceus grows between 2 and 6 feet , with 8 - inch oval green leave . From early to mid - summertime , the flora carry attractive 4 - in clusters or fragrant garden pink to purple flowers . In early fall , common milkweed ’s gourd - like green pod explode to release seed . They ’re attach to silken character that get them disperse on the wind . Unchecked milkweed can spread over turgid area . The plant ’s sap is toxic when consumed in expectant quantities . With right preparation , however , its spring leaves and shoot , young seedpod and flower buds are edible . Boil the spring leaves and shoots ( kowtow the fuzz from the shoots first ) for three second . Then place them in unclouded , simmering water and repetition . Do this tree diagram times , then remain to boil them for 15 minutes . blossom buds moil for one minute and battered can go in the bass fryer . Boil the immature seedpod for several bit in water with bake sodium carbonate to soften their fiber . Roll the softened pods in cornmeal and fry them for an okra - like vegetable .

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