Topstone Park
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This rugged, hilly park in Redding, CT, is great for late spring foraging. "Wildman" has explored this park before, but this is his first public tour there, in conjunction with the Redding Recreation Dept.
Woodland trails will feature herbs and greens such as tart greenbriar, root beer-flavored sassafras, wintergreen-flavored black birch, garlicky ramps, garlic mustard and field garlic; and savory pokeweed. |
Sassafras Sapling Pull up a few of these abundant baby trees, scrub the roots, and either simmer to make tea or root beer, or use the scrapings as a cinnamon-like seasoning. Note the oval, 1-lobed, and 2-lobed leaves on the same tree. |
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In open, sunny open places, we'll find "weeds" such as lamb's quarters, which tastes like spinach; sweet, sour, and chewy purslane; spicy poor man's pepper and field pennycress; mullein, an herb tea for coughs; and flavorful milkweed, a wonderful green after you cook out the bitter, milky sap. We may find gourmet spring and summer wild mushrooms such as chicken mushrooms, dryad's saddle, black-staining polypores, and boletes. |
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The 2-hour walking tour begins at 10 AM, Saturday, June 14, at 72 Topstone Rd. in Redding, CT.
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Call (914) 835-2153 at least 24 hours ahead to reserve a place.
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