Wild Medicine Eco Mural 15: Mugwort, Mullein, and Mallow
Location: 5050 Baltimore, Philadelphia, PA
Artist: Designed, illustrated, and painted by Hagopian Arts
Philadelphia's Natural Gifts
Nestled between tree roots, sprouting along riverbanks, and dotting wide open fields, a careful eye will find precious gifts of nature—wild medicine. Philadelphia is gifted with a great variety of edible and medicinal plants and fungi. Our neighborhoods provide a landscape for foraging natural treasures like fruit trees, nuts and berries, and wild plants—often mistaken for “useless weeds.” For centuries, local flora has provided medical benefits and sustenance that soothe maladies from ear infections to high blood pressure, and boost wellness by aiding sleep, relaxing muscles, and more.
Ecological and Cultural Connections
In celebration of these useful natural tools, Hagopian Arts created Wild Medicine Eco Mural 15: Mugwort, Mullein, and Mallow. Hagopian Arts Lead Artist Kala Hagopian honors and re-imagines the Armenian knot pattern, a nod to her heritage, by combining local medicinal plants and sacred geometric patterns. A symbol of interconnectedness that draws on the bond between our natural environment and the community, the Armenian knot’s ancient geometry has been adapted to embellish and strengthen goods from fishing nets to decorative rugs. Just as the imagery in the Mugwort, Mullein, and Mallow mural reflects the biodiversity and beauty of West Philadelphia, the richness is also mirrored in the diversity of our community. The hope of the project is to reconnect residents and passersby with local ecology and inspire the community to engage with plant life in a new and beneficial way.
Community Education and Engagement
For this mural project, Hagopian Arts extended its outreach into local elementary schools and community-based organizations to introduce ecological awareness to youth ages 3-18 within traditional and nontraditional learning settings. Hagopian Arts provided community partners with 20 coloring illustrations that depict the local flora represented in the Wild Medicine mural. Community partners led students through a lesson plan and coloring activity to promote understanding of the basic characteristics of local flora, safe foraging practices, and the various medicinal benefits to support health and wellbeing. Hagopian Arts created a foraging guide for community members with a selection of coloring pages from our youth participants. The foraging guide was disseminated during the mural unveiling to support the residents’ connection to wild plants within the ecosystem and empower safe consumption in their daily lifestyles. Keep reading to enjoy your own local foraging guide!
Hagopian Arts partnered with local herbalist Melaney Gilchrist to host an interactive workshop during the mural unveiling. She engaged community members and expounded the content from the foraging guide to enhance understanding of the medicinal benefits of local flora. Focusing on two local plants, peppermint and mullein, she highlighted internal uses like a refreshing tea and herbal medicine. Gilchrist guided participants in hands-on medicine making or herbal preparations and connected community members with additional resources for continuous learning. Audiences learned how these plants can be used as safe and natural solutions for everyday uses. Overall, Gilchrist provided a safe space for community dialogue and peer-to-peer learning.
Download a .pdf with participant coloring pages, field guide, and plant uses below.
Foraging Safety
Foraging is an amazing way to connect with your environment and bring plant medicine and local ingredients into your daily routine. There are some best practices to follow before venturing into the park, woods, or your neighborhood. These are a few tips to keep you safe on your wild foraging adventure!
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Don’t take more than you need. For other animals and foragers to enjoy these gems of nature, only take what you need and will use. Most of the time, edible plants and wild mushrooms have a short shelf life and only demand small quantities to be effective- so if you don’t plan on cooking with them immediately or preserving them, it’s best practice to leave most of what you find behind.
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Don’t harvest in areas you think may be contaminated. Especially if you live in a city, toxic areas can be abundant and are best to avoid. Toxic areas include anywhere that might have been sprayed with pesticides, near or around dog parks, or along busy roadways. These areas can make edible plants no longer edible.
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Don’t forage plants that appear unhealthy. Plants that don’t look like their normal, healthy selves are not safe to eat. This will range from plant to plant, so always be familiar with a plant’s healthy appearance and discuss with your foraging mentor or a trusted online platform before foraging.
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Foraging is a community activity. Foraging is an activity that is best and safest when done in groups. Whether it’s a tour group, with a mentor or a friend, be sure to grab your foraging buddy before venturing into the wild. Two sets of eyes are always better than one and can help to ensure that you are safely foraging. One of the best ways to work in a kitchen is in a team, and the same can be said for foraging!
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Err on the side of caution. Consult with an expert or trusted online platform before you eat anything to be sure you are accurately identifying the plant you’ve harvested. Always consume small quantities first to ensure that you are not allergic to anything. When ingredients are found in the wild, you never know what you could be allergic to or what happened to the plant before you found it.
A Guide to Local Medicinal Flora
Burdock has purple heads, with leaves that are large triangular and dark green, and stems ranging from green to reddish-purple. It is full of antioxidants, helps regulate blood sugar, aids with coughs and colds, and acts as an anti-inflammatory to relieve aches and pain.
Chickweed leaves are broadly egg-shaped, pointed and mostly hairless, arranged opposite to each other along the stem. Their flowers display five deeply notched, white petals. The plants are full of vitamins C, D, and B complex, and contain other minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc.
Comfrey has simple, alternate leaves without teeth or lobes, and bell- shaped, yellow, or blue flowers with five petals forming distinctive curled clusters. Comfrey alleviates joint inflammation and contains an active ingredient that allows rapid pain relief. For your safety, limit consumption to small amounts.
Dandelions have jagged leaves with deep lobes, and flowers that are disk shaped, feathery, and bright golden yellow. The stems are naked and hollow with a milky sap. Dandelions are full of potent antioxidants, may reduce inflammation, and can act as a natural diuretic and a mild laxative. Its potassium salts prevent potassium depletion.
Echinacea flowers are drooping, petal-like, and pinkish purple with an orange-brown central cone. Its leaves broadly narrow into an oval shape that tapers to a point at each end. Echinacea root has immunity-boosting power, and the flowers, leaves, and stems possess anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. This plant can be used as a mild laxative to reduce bloating and improve skin collagen.
German Chamomile leaves are very thin and feathery, and each leaf divides again into smaller leaf sections. Its stems are somewhat hairy, and the flowers have white petals circling a cone-shaped yellow center. German Chamomile can be used as a sedative, to treat spasms, has antiviral properties, and may relieve itching and inflammation when used topically.
Hawthorn bark is gray or reddish-brown bark, with simple leaves that are usually toothed or lobed. Clusters of white or pink flowers and small, apple-like pomes (fruit) can appear in a range of colors like red, orange, blue and black. Hawthorn contains vitamins B and C and can be used to aid blood circulation and to lower blood pressure.
Jewelweed leaves are coarsely toothed, oval-shaped, and bluish green in color with a whitened underside. It features distinctive yellow-orange flowers and a large, pouch-like structure that has a long spur. Its long pod stores most of the seeds. Jewelweed can be crushed and used fresh as a poultice to for skin rashes and allergic reactions.
Linden’s heart-shaped, coarsely toothed leaves are lopsided at the base. Clusters of yellowish flowers = hang down on a long stalk attached to a leaf-like wing. Leaf color shifts from light green to glossy dark green to yellow. Linden leaves and flowers nourish and support the central nervous system.
Mallow leaves vary between circular and kidney-shaped, and are toothed and shallow, with short hairs present on the upper and lower leaf surface. It possesses five-petaled white flowers, with either a pink or purple petal vein. Mallow contains ample vitamin C and E. It can be used to soothe inflammation of the stomach, respiratory system, or urinary tract, and is helpful in treating acne and skin irritations/diseases like eczema and psoriasis.
Mint leaves are positioned opposite on the stem and are finely toothed. Its flowers are small clusters of pale purple, pink, or white with four petals in terminal spikes. Stems are erect and branching. Mint has antibacterial and pain-relieving properties, can relieve headaches and sinus congestion, and help with digestion.
Mugwort’s leaves are arranged alternately along the stem, shallowly lobed when closer to the ground, and contain a silvery fuzz of tiny, densely packed, woolly hairs on the underside. Flowers are clustered and colored yellow, or reddish-brown, but lack petals. Mugwort is rich in vitamin C and unsaturated fatty acids. This plant has hemostatic properties to support heavy, painful menstrual periods for women.
Mullein’s Long leaves flow into the stem, with small, yellow flowers that contain five petals in a long, spike-like cluster. Mullein is a natural antibacterial that can soothe and relax the muscles in the respiratory system. When infused in oil, Mullein can be used for ear infections to kill bacteria that cause staph infections and E. coli. The soft leaves can be used as a poultice on the skin
Passionflower’s three-lobed, deciduous leaves are dark green above and whitish below. The fruit is a large, orange-yellow berry with edible pulp. Passionflower can reduce anxiety, enhance mood, relieve pain, and promote better sleep.
Broadleaf Plantain leaves are green with shape ranging between oval and egg-like. They are hairless, grow in a rosette, and contain stems with five to seven prominent string-like veins. Flower heads are leafless, slender spikes of flowers clustered densely. Broadleaf plantain is high in calcium and vitamins A, C, and K. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties and boosts the immune system.
Raspberry Leaves are oval leaflets with serrated margins and light gray, hairy undersides. Stems are arching, prickle-covered; flowers are white or greenish-white and appear individually or in small cluster. Raspberry leaves are full of vitamins B and C, potassium, magnesium zinc, phosphorus, and iron, have great antioxidant properties, and are aids in alleviating diarrhea and excessive menstrual flow.
Shepherd’s Purse leaves extend beyond the stem and vary from smooth or hairy and toothed or lobed, with triangular or heart-shaped seedpods. Shepherd’s purse can soothe diarrhea and lower high blood pressure. This plant can also be used for its anti-inflammatory properties and coagulant benefits.
Stinging Nettle features oval, toothed leaves. It has visible hairs along its stem, with drooping, catkin flowers. Stinging nettle may reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar, relieve allergies, and serve as a natural diuretic. It can flush toxins out of the body to help clear skin and eliminate urinary tract infections.
Wild Violet leaves are heart shaped and serrated, without hair that wraps around the stem. Flowers are drooping in shape with five dark-purple petals. Tea derived from wild violet can soothe cold and flu symptoms and can aid sore throats and bronchial conditions.
Yarrow Leaves are lanceolate (a narrow, oval shape tapering to a point at each end) and finely cut with fine white hairs and alternative leaf arrangement. Flowers are small, white, flat-topped clusters. Yarrow can be used fresh, dried, or powdered as a styptic to stop a wound from bleeding.
About the Eco Mural and Wild Medicine Projects
The Eco Mural Project by Hagopian Arts is an ongoing series of public art installations designed to educate and inspire action on ecological and cultural issues. Each mural is a meticulously detailed, one-of-a-kind piece, blending vibrant artistry with rigorous research. These murals transport viewers into immersive natural environments, revitalizing urban spaces while addressing pressing concerns about environmental degradation.
Within this initiative, the Wild Medicine Eco Mural Project focuses specifically on the cultural heritage of medicinal plants. Through detailed depictions and thoughtful programming, the series highlights the historical, cultural, and healing significance of plants, fostering a deeper connection between individuals and the natural world.
The Eco Mural Project is rooted in the belief that reconnecting communities with nature can profoundly impact mental and physical health. These murals showcase the beauty of local flora and fauna, enlivening public spaces and encouraging residents to see their environment in a new light. This engagement inspires a sense of pride, belonging, and collective responsibility for the natural world. To enhance accessibility, each mural includes a scannable QR code linking viewers to a webpage that provides detailed information about the artwork, the plants featured, and their historical and cultural significance. These pages also honor Indigenous histories by sharing the uses, markers, and cultural associations of the depicted flora and fauna.
Community-Driven Programming and Collaborations
Hagopian Arts amplifies the impact of its murals through live events, educational initiatives, and community partnerships that engage people across generations and cultures.
Highlighting Interconnectivity: Eco Mural 20
As part of the Wild Medicine Eco Mural Project, Hagopian Arts created Eco Mural 20: Artelo to celebrate the interdependent relationships between plants, pollinators, and human communities. This mural was a collaborative effort with Square Roots Collective and 14 other public artists contributing uniquely to the Artelo hotel project. While each artist brought a distinct vision to the hotel’s art-filled rooms, Hagopian Arts focused on the ecological and cultural themes central to the Wild Medicine Eco Mural Project.
To expand its reach, Hagopian Arts hosted interactive workshops that engaged community members in the creative process: At Hyacinth Montessori School in West Philadelphia, children aged 6–12 participated in a painting workshop, learning about local flora and pollinators while contributing sections to the mural. This activity incorporated yoga and mindfulness practices led by Breathe Moore, blending creativity and well-being.
At John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, community members painted portions of the mural while learning about the featured species and their roles in local ecosystems.
In September 2024, Hagopian Arts partnered with the Kennett Trails Alliance and Artelo for a public mural painting event during the Hispanic Heritage Festival in Kennett Square. Using a paint-by-number system and hand-mixed colors, participants painted sections inspired by the flora, fauna, and geometric patterns of Eco Mural 20. The mural, once finalized by Hagopian Arts, will be installed in Kennett Square in 2025, further expanding its impact and reach.
Honoring Indigenous Histories and Local Ecosystems
A standout project in the Wild Medicine Series is Eco Mural 21 at Bartram’s Garden, a series of freestanding mini murals showcasing medicinal plants historically used by the Lenni Lenape people. Designed with community input, the murals feature local flora, Lenape beadwork patterns, and depictions of children on the riverbank where passionflowers grow.
Hagopian Arts conducted extensive research into Bartram’s Garden’s historical catalog to honor the Lenape people’s contributions and highlight the cultural significance of the plants. At the unveiling event on September 15th, Melaney Gilchrist, a West Philadelphia herbalist, and mindfulness yoga practitioner Nakesha Moore of Breathe Moore led workshops for community families. These sessions explored the medicinal properties of the plants while fostering connections between art, history, and wellness practices.
Through its murals and programming, Hagopian Arts creates vibrant spaces for education, inspiration, and dialogue. The Eco Mural Project bridges art and environmental advocacy, encouraging communities to cherish their local ecosystems and honor the cultural and historical ties that bind them to the natural world.
Wild Medicine: A Multidimensional Creative Experience
This live event combined public art, botanical installations, body-painted models, and performance art to merge the worlds of creativity and herbal wisdom. Hosted in collaboration with women artists, herbalists, and grassroots organizers, the event invited participants to explore the healing connections between art and nature.
Ancient Ancestral Connections
Eco Mural 18: Women’s Wild Medicine celebrates the ancestral bond between women and medicinal plants, featuring women from diverse cultural backgrounds alongside flora from their heritage. Installed at Penn OB/GYN, the mural also serves as a pilot for the Women’s Wild Medicine Initiative, a community-driven effort that highlights the healing power of native plants and their historical ties to women.
Hagopian Arts transforms urban landscapes through art that bridges the worlds of ecology, education, and cultural heritage. Each mural is a portal into the hidden wonders of the natural world. By blending intricate artistry with educational outreach, Hagopian Arts inspires communities to rediscover the beauty and importance of the environment they call home.
The Wild Medicine: Mugwort, Mullein, and Mallow Eco Mural is a partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia and Spak Group with generous support from Arthur & KC Baldadian, and Jeanne & Donald Bedrosian. The wall for this mural is provided by Spak Group, the developer of the new mixed-use and “inclusionary housing” building at 5050 Baltimore Avenue. Through collaboration, Hagopian Arts led a multifaceted community outreach approach to connect residents across generations and within various settings to native plants, as well as promote every human’s responsibility to establish a safe and healthy relationship with the environment. Hagopian Arts aims to use a community-based approach to increase awareness and education on individualism within an ecological system.
A special thank-you to our community partners and youth participants from John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Wye River Upper School, Lansdowne Friends School, Bartram’s Garden, Community Partnership School, Children’s Community School, and Philly Free School.
Wild Medicine Eco Mural 15: Mugwort, Mullein, and Mallow is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Flossie Reddick, a grassroots community organizer who cared deeply for the community and children of West Philadelphia.
Julia Flossie Reddick was born February 17, 1900 and passed on November 4, 1984. Flossie, as she was known to her West Philadelphia community, was the Executive Director of The Philadelphia Tribune Charities. As the Founder of Rafters Charities Inc, Flossie used her not for profit to provide childcare, feed, clothe and educate the youth of our community. Flossie was always “reaching for the rafters”, even earning a Master’s Degree In Business Administration at the age of 84.
Flossie made it her mission in life to help her community. And for her efforts, we are eternally grateful!
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