A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of Wild Medicine Eco Mural 20: Artelo 

 

Black-Eyed Susan

A perennial flower known for its bright yellow, daisy-like petals with dark brown centers, Black-Eyed Susan is commonly found in meadows, prairies, and roadsides across North America. Closely related to Echinacea, it has traditionally been used to treat colds and the flu. Indigenous peoples also utilized its antibacterial properties topically for treating snake bites, earaches, and minor cuts.

Threats: Habitat loss from agricultural expansion and urban development reduces the availability of meadows and prairies where Black-Eyed Susans grow. Its pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, are also threatened by pesticide use and climate change.

 

Blue Star

Native to North America, Blue Star grows in open woods, along stream banks, and in prairies. This perennial features narrow, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of pale blue, star-shaped flowers. While not commonly used for medicinal purposes, Blue Star serves as a host plant for several butterfly and moth species and supports early-season pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.

Threats: Deforestation, stream bank erosion, and agricultural runoff threaten its natural habitats. The pollinators it supports are also at risk from pesticide use and declining floral diversity.

 

Common Ninebark

A shrub with peeling bark, white or pinkish flower clusters, and lobed leaves, Common Ninebark thrives in wetlands, woodlands, and along streams in the eastern and central United States. Indigenous peoples used the inner bark in teas or washes to treat gonorrhea, tuberculosis, and pain. The tea was also employed to enhance fertility.

Threats: Wetlands and riparian zones where Ninebark thrives are endangered by land drainage, climate change, and invasive species. Its pollinators, including native bees, are impacted by habitat destruction and pesticide use.

 

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

An evergreen shrub native to North America, Dwarf Alberta Spruce has a conical shape and grows slowly to a height of up to eight feet, making it a popular choice for landscaping. Its needles are edible and were traditionally used to brew Vitamin C-rich tea. Indigenous peoples also consumed its inner bark during harsh winters and famines to stave off starvation. All parts of the tree are nontoxic.

Threats: Climate change affects its growth in native regions, while urbanization and logging contribute to habitat loss. It indirectly supports wildlife dependent on evergreen habitats, which are also under threat.

 

Echinacea

Part of the daisy family, Echinacea typically grows in prairies and wooded areas. Its pinkish-purple, yellow, red, or white petals surround a central grouping of tiny orange or yellow flowers. Renowned for its immune-boosting properties, Echinacea tea is used to reduce symptoms of coughs, colds, and sore throats. The plant’s stems possess anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, while its roots, flowers, and juice have been used to treat infections and wounds.

Threats: Overharvesting for medicinal use and habitat destruction are major threats to wild Echinacea populations. Pollinators such as bees and butterflies that rely on its nectar face challenges from pesticide use and habitat fragmentation.

 

Joe Pye Weed

A tall plant with clusters of pinkish-purple flowers and a sweet, attractive scent, Joe Pye Weed is native to Eastern and Central North America. It thrives in various conditions, including wet and well-drained soil, full or partial sun, and hot or cold climates. Traditionally, Indigenous peoples used it to treat fevers, typhus, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections.

Threats: Wetland destruction and agricultural practices reduce its natural habitats. Pollinators such as butterflies and bees, which are crucial for its reproduction, are declining due to environmental stressors like pesticides and climate change.

 

Milkweed

A herbaceous flowering plant found in meadows, prairies, and roadsides throughout North America, Milkweed has broad, elongated leaves and clusters of pink, yellow, white, or purple flowers. Monarch caterpillars rely exclusively on Milkweed, particularly species with higher levels of cardenolide, a toxin that protects them from predators. Its milky, latex-rich sap has been used historically by Indigenous peoples to treat warts, while its roots were chewed to relieve dysentery. Salves and infusions made from Milkweed have been applied for respiratory ailments, swelling, rashes, and fevers.

Threats: Habitat loss, herbicide use, and climate change are reducing Milkweed populations, endangering Monarch Butterflies, which depend on it throughout their lifecycle.

 

Red Twig Dogwood

A shrub with dark red branches and broad oblong leaves, Red Twig Dogwood thrives in diverse conditions, including full sun, partial shade, and wet soils. Its leaves turn vibrant red or purple in the fall. Indigenous peoples consumed its bitter white berries both raw and cooked. The bark was used internally to treat pain, diarrhea, fevers, and digestive issues, while bark and root bark were applied externally for poison ivy, sore eyes, and ulcers.

Threats: Urban development, soil erosion, and changes in wetland hydrology threaten its habitats. The pollinators that rely on its flowers, such as bees, face risks from pesticide use and habitat fragmentation.

 

Yarrow

Native to grasslands in temperate regions across the globe, Yarrow is a flowering plant that grows up to 40 inches tall. It produces small white, yellow, or red flowers and fern-like foliage with a distinctly pungent odor. Its young leaves can be consumed raw or cooked and are often added to mixed salads for their bitter flavor. Historically, Yarrow has been used as a hop substitute for flavoring and preserving beer, and its leaves and flowers have been used in making liquors. Medicinally, Yarrow has astringent properties that aid in wound care, fever reduction, and treating digestive issues.

Threats: Grassland conversion to agriculture and urban areas threatens Yarrow’s habitats. The pollinators it supports, including bees and butterflies, are impacted by habitat loss and pesticide exposure.