Wild Edibles

CURRENT Wild Edibles

In our region, redbud trees often begin blooming in late March to early April.

March’s Wild Edible: Redbud Buds

Redbuds are fairly easy to identify, even before they bloom.
Bruce Ingram with asparagus. Asparagus appear in late winter in this region, but the best time to find patches of asparagus is when the green fronds appear much later in the spring.

February’s Wild Edible: Wild Asparagus

Sometime this month or in early March in these mountains, the wild asparagus will begin to emerge from the soil in such nondescript places as ditches, roadsides and uncultivated fields.
Bob Sheets gathering sugar maple syrup

February’s Wild Edible: Maple Syrup

In the Blue Ridge Mountain region, certainly two of the counties that are most known for producing maple syrup are Highland County, Virginia and Pocahontas County, West Virginia.
64cf82ca-8d47-11ee-8d53-12163087a831-Hairy-Bittercress

January’s Wild Edible: Hairy Bittercress

A close relative of watercress, bittercress is one of the first wild edibles to make their yearly appearance in the Blue Ridge.
Northern spicebush growing on the author’s Botetourt County, Virginia land.

December’s Wild Edible: Northern Spicebush

This flora features alternate shiny leaves that are an appealing dark green and look something like an egg would if it has been stretched out.

Departments

At Coopers Rock State Forest, new Stargazer cabins invite guests to look up through skylights and telescopes.
Country Roads

Even Closer to Almost Heaven

New Stargazer cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest offer a skyward escape in the mountains of West Virginia.

©Duncan Seaman
Country Roads

A Mountain Tradition Turns 90 

Visitors flock to Galax, Virginia, each summer for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention, a days-long celebration of Appalachian music.

Synchronous Fireflies
Creature Feature

The Light Fantastic

Fireflies are struggling with the effects of artificial light.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS