United States

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest Service

Northern 

Research Station

General Technical

Report NRS-68

Culturally and Economically 

Important Nontimber Forest 

Products of Northern Maine

Michelle J. Baumfl ek

Marla R. Emery

Clare Ginger
Visit our homepage at: http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/

Published by: For additional copies:

U.S. FOREST SERVICE U.S. Forest Service 

11 CAMPUS BLVD SUITE 200 Publications Distribution

NEWTOWN SQUARE PA 19073 359 Main Road

Delaware, OH 43015-8640

 Fax: (740)368-0152

August 2010 Email: nrspubs@fs.fed.us

Cover photos

Front, clockwise from upper left:

Highbush cranberry: Michelle Baumfl ek

Balsam fi r wreath: Michelle Baumfl ek

Wild strawberry: Michelle Baumfl ek

St. Johnswort fl owers: Michelle Baumfl ek

Blanket woven from wool dyed with mushrooms: Marla Emery

Highbush cranberry bark drying: Michelle Baumfl ek

Ostrich fern fi ddleheads: Sharron Emrich, used with permission

Back, top to bottom:

Goldenrod fl owers: Michelle Baumfl ek

Traditional folded birch bark container, or makuk: Michelle Baumfl ek

Goldthread leaf and exposed roots: Michelle Baumfl ek

‡ Corresponding author, U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, 705 Spear St., 

S. Burlington, VT 05403; memery@fs.fed.us.

Abstract

Nontimber forest products (NTFPs) gathered for food, medicine, craft, spiritual, aesthetic, 

and utilitarian purposes make substantial contributions to the economic viability and cultural 

vitality of communities. In the St. John River watershed of northern Maine, people identifying 

with cultural groups including Acadian, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Scotch-Irish, and Swedish use 

more than 120 wild plant and fungus species. We interviewed both gatherers and land 

managers about NTFP uses that are signifi cant in this region and about factors that facilitate 

or limit gathering, including access to gathering sites. This handbook and its accompanying 

Web site (http://nrs.fs.fed.us/sustaining_forests/conserve_enhance/special_products/maine_

ntfp/) present our overall study fi ndings as well as in-depth species profi les of 30 nontimber 

forest products including brown ash, paper birch, blueberries, highbush cranberry, and 

fi ddleheads.

The Authors

Michelle J. Baumfl ek is a former research technician with the University of Vermont.

‡ Marla R. Emery is a research geographer with the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research 

Station, in South Burlington, Vermont.

Clare Ginger is an associate professor in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural 

Resources at the University of Vermont.
Culturally and Economically Important 

Nontimber Forest Products of Northern Maine

Michelle J. Baumfl ek

University of Vermont

Marla R. Emery1

U.S. Forest Service

Northern Research Station

Clare Ginger

University of Vermont

Research funded by the Northeastern States Research Cooperative and the U.S. Forest 

Service’s Northern Research Station. This handbook has a companion Web site at 

http://nrs.fs.fed.us/sustaining_forests/conserve_enhance/special_products/maine_ntfp/

1Corresponding author, U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, 705 Spear St., S. Burlington, VT 05403; memery@

fs.fed.us.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are indebted to the many people who made this handbook, and the research 

that supports it, possible. First and foremost, we thank all of the plant gatherers 

and land managers who shared their time and expertise with us. Without them, 

none of this would have been possible. We are grateful to Chief Vicki Higgins

and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, as well as Chief Brenda Commander and 

the Houlton Band of Maliseets, for their gracious cooperation on this project. 

Lise Pelletier, Director of the Acadian Archives, set up interviews with Acadian 

plant gatherers and provided important guidance on Acadian culture and 

history. Our community researchers, Suzanne Greenlaw, Tania Morey, and 

Glenda Wysote Labillois, gave advice on interview questions, helped set up and 

conduct interviews, and provided invaluable insight into Maliseet and Mi’kmaq2

communities. Th anks to Sharri Venno and Sue Young at the Houlton Band 

of Maliseets Environmental Planning Offi ce who, besides sharing time with us, 

allowed us to print an article in the Natural Resources quarterly newsletter and 

posted information about our project on a helpful listserve. We are also grateful 

to Sue Young for providing Maliseet plant names. Th ank you to Bruce Wiersma

and Laura Kenefi c for making us welcome and providing Michelle Baumfl ek 

with offi ce space at the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine, 

Orono while she conducted archival research. Jessica Leahy and Lisa Neuman

of the University of Maine, Orono also provided helpful information and insights 

during thought-provoking conversations. Th e University of Maine, Presque Isle 

also provided Michelle with offi ce space and supplies, and Beverly McAvaddy

provided her with priceless help in South Hall. Th ank you to Robert Pinette

of the University of Maine, Presque Isle for reviewing our plant list for accuracy 

and for providing French-Acadian names for certain plants. Steve Selva of the 

University of Maine, Fort Kent provided wonderful information about Acadian 

plant use, including many common French names. Jeannie McGowan of the 

Nylander Museum gave us some wonderful contacts, as well as stimulating 

conversation and ideas. Glenda Wysote Labillois and Gordon Labillois opened 

their home to us, sharing their stories, and giving us our fi rst taste of wild Atlantic 

salmon. In addition to many stimulating conversations and brainstorming 

sessions, the entire Putnam family welcomed us to northern Maine, gave us 

food, lodging, and everything else we needed to feel at home in a new place. We 

thank Pamela Dean, archivist at the Maine Folklife Center, for archiving our 

interview transcripts and recordings and providing suggestions on fi eld recording 

equipment. Th ank you to Dave Fuller, University of Maine Cooperative 

Extension, and Kit Anderson, University of Vermont, for their thoughtful reviews 

of this handbook. We also thank Allaire Diamond for her editorial assistance. 

We gratefully acknowledge the Northeastern States Research Cooperative for its 

funding of this project.

2 We use Mi’kmaq, an alternative spelling for Micmac, throughout this handbook.
Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1

 What are Nontimber Forest Products? ............................................................................... 1

 Nontimber Forest Products in the Northern Forest ............................................................ 1

 Study Purpose and Description .......................................................................................... 1

 Study Area: The St. John River Watershed ....................................................................... 2

 The St. John River and Human History ......................................................................... 3

 Cultural Groups of the St. John River Watershed .......................................................... 4

 Historical Use of NTFPs in the St. John River Watershed ............................................. 4

 Methods: How Did We Do It? ............................................................................................. 5

 Overall Findings ................................................................................................................. 6

 How Do People Learn about NTFPs? ........................................................................... 7

 Where Do People Harvest? ........................................................................................... 8

 Nontimber Forest Products and Cultural Celebrations .................................................. 8

 What’s Changing? ......................................................................................................... 9

 Respect for Indigenous Knowledge ................................................................................. 11

 Sustainable Harvesting Techniques ................................................................................. 11

 A Note of Caution! ............................................................................................................ 12

Species Descriptions ......................................................................................................... 13

 Ash, Brown ....................................................................................................................... 14

 Balm-of-Gilead ................................................................................................................. 17

 Beech, American .............................................................................................................. 19

 Birch, Paper ..................................................................................................................... 21

 Blueberries ....................................................................................................................... 23

 Burdock, Common ........................................................................................................... 25

 Cedar, Eastern White- ...................................................................................................... 26

 Chives, Wild ..................................................................................................................... 28

 Chokecherry ..................................................................................................................... 29

 Coltsfoot ........................................................................................................................... 30

 Comfrey ............................................................................................................................ 32

 Cranberry, Highbush ........................................................................................................ 33

 Dandelion ......................................................................................................................... 35

 Dogwood, Red-Osier ........................................................................................................ 36

 Fiddleheads ...................................................................................................................... 37

 Fir, Balsam ....................................................................................................................... 39
 Flag Root .......................................................................................................................... 41

 Fungi: Spotlight on Mushrooms ....................................................................................... 42

 Goldthread ....................................................................................................................... 43

 Hazelnut, Beaked ............................................................................................................. 45

 Maple, Sugar .................................................................................................................... 47

 Pearly Everlasting ............................................................................................................ 49

 Pine species ..................................................................................................................... 50

 Plantain, Common ............................................................................................................ 52

 Raspberry, Red ................................................................................................................ 54

 Rose species .................................................................................................................... 56

 Spruce species ................................................................................................................. 57

 St. Johnswort ................................................................................................................... 59

 Strawberries, Wild ............................................................................................................ 60

 Sweetgrass ...................................................................................................................... 62 

Glossary .............................................................................................................................. 64

Literature Cited ................................................................................................................... 65

Appendix 1.—Comprehensive List of Nontimber Forest Products and Uses 

 Mentioned by Interviewees. .......................................................................................... 69
1

INTRODUCTION

What are Nontimber Forest Products?

Nontimber forest products (NTFPs) are wild plants and fungi that people gather and use 

for food, medicine, crafts, and spiritual, aesthetic, and utilitarian purposes. Our defi nition of 

NTFPs includes plants that can be found in a variety of habitats across the forested landscape. 

Th erefore, in this guide, you will fi nd plants that make their home in old fi elds and wetlands as 

well as the woods.

In addition to native species, we have chosen to include non-native NTFP species that have 

naturalized throughout northern Maine. Species such as coltsfoot and plantain are found in 

many locations across the St. John River watershed. In fact, many naturalized species commonly 

used today were fi rst introduced to the area by settlers because of their medicinal or edible 

properties.

Nontimber Forest Products in the Northern Forest

NTFPs make substantial contributions to the economic viability and cultural vitality of northern 

forest communities. Established NTFP commodities including maple syrup and conifer wreaths 

contribute more than $50 million to the northern forest economy annually [1, 2]. Seasonal 

harvesting of NTFP species, such as fi ddlehead ferns, often provide needed supplemental income 

for rural populations [3]. Many gatherers harvest strictly for personal and family consumption 

[4]. In some cases, plants and fungi gathered provide vital subsistence resources [5]. While 

NTFPs have special cultural value for many Native Americans [6], northern forest residents 

from various ethnic heritages collect wild foods, medicines, and materials [7]. In addition to 

economic and cultural resources, gathering provides numerous human health and well-being 

benefi ts by promoting outdoor exercise, providing foods that are dense with micronutrients, and 

reinforcing familial relationships [8].

Study Purpose and Description

Th e purpose of this study is to identify the culturally and economically important nontimber 

forest products of northern Maine. To date, virtually no systematic information has been 

available about the NTFPs gathered in the northern forest (forests of northern Maine, New 

Hampshire, Vermont, and New York). Furthermore, current socioeconomic pressures have the 

potential to infl uence the long-term sustainability of NTFP gathering in the northern forest 

[7]. For example, changing forest land ownership [9] and an increase in land posting [10] in 

the State of Maine raise concerns about continued access to NTFPs. Similarly, shifts in land 

use and management may diminish NTFP habitat and aff ect NTFP availability. To ensure 

the sustainability of NTFP gathering into the future, baseline data are needed on the widely 

collected wild plants and fungi, their habitats, their uses, and sustainable harvesting practices. 

Our research, presented in part in this handbook, begins to fi ll that need.
2

Study Area: The St. John River Watershed

Th e St. John River watershed drains about 21,230 square 

miles in northernmost Maine and the Canadian provinces 

of New Brunswick and Quebec. Th e river travels 418 

miles from its headwaters at the St. John Ponds (right) to 

the Bay of Fundy [11]. In comparison, the Connecticut 

River, often considered the largest river in New England, 

drains 11,000 square miles and is 410 miles long.

Th e headwaters of the St. John drain the eastern fl anks of 

the Boundary Mountains and a large portion of eastern 

New Brunswick. Some of the major tributaries include 

the Big Black, Allagash, Madawaska, Fish, Aroostook, 

Tobique, Meduxnekeag, Eel, Oromocto, Salmon, and 

Canaan Rivers.

About 36 percent, or 7,642.8 square miles (4,891,392 

acres), of the St. John River watershed lies in the State 

of Maine (left) [12]. Most of that land is located in 

Aroostook County, Maine’s northernmost county. 

Generally, this area can be thought of as divided into two 

broad types of land use: the western twothirds are a vast working forest land; the 

eastern third is predominantly agricultural. In ecological terms, the State of Maine 

recognizes four distinct biophysical regions within the watershed: (from west to east)

the Boundary Plateau, the St. John Uplands, the Aroostook Hills, and the Aroostook 

Lowlands (below) [13].

Th e Boundary Plateau, St. John Uplands, and 

Aroostook Hills are underlain by a complex of 

northeast-southwest trending metamorphic rocks 

with occasional igneous intrusions that are often 

covered by dense basal till. Th e poorly drained 

soils predominantly support large populations 

of red spruce (Picea rubens), black spruce (Picea 

mariana), and balsam fi r (Abies balsamea) with 

areas of poplar and northern hardwoods on 

drier ridges. In the east, the Aroostook Lowlands are underlain 

by calcium-rich sedimentary rocks, resulting in a rich northern 

hardwood forest with scattered stands of conifers. Th e glacial till 

soils are much more suited to agriculture than those found to the 

west and support large-scale potato, grain (barley, oats, and rye), 

hay, rapeseed, and broccoli farming. Bedrock aquifer-fed brooks 

are biologically productive and support lush herbaceous vegetation 

along their banks.

Watersheds of Maine. 

Map used with permission 

from Maine Rivers.

St. John Ponds. Photo courtesy of Maine Natural 

Areas Program.

Biophysical regions of the St. John River 

watershed from west to east: Boundary 

Plateau, St. John Uplands, Aroostook Hills, 

and Aroostook Lowlands. Map courtesy of 

Maine Department of Conservation.
3

Th e forests of the St. John River watershed are considered part of the Acadian Forest, a 

transitional zone between boreal forests to the north and temperate hardwood forests to the south 

[14]. Indeed, many temperate plant species such as red oak (Quercus rubra) reach their northern 

range limits in this area.

Further variations in climate, elevation, and geology within the watershed aff ect plant species 

diversity from west to east. For example, the Boundary Plateau is home to the harshest winters 

in Maine, with only 80 frost-free days a year. It also has the lowest diversity of woody plant 

species in the State with an average of 94 species. In comparison, the Aroostook Lowlands, with 

95 to 110 frost-free days per year, supports an average of 125 species. In addition, a topographic 

boundary, the 1,000-foot contour line that delineates the eastern border of the St. John Uplands 

and the western border of the Aroostook Hills, marks a range limit for many boreal and temperate 

species. Temperate species such as silver maple (Acer saccharinum), American basswood (Tilia 

americana), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), hophornbeam 

(Ostrya virginiana), and black elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) are virtually nonexistent west of 

this boundary [2].

Th e Laurentide ice sheet retreated from the watershed some 13,000 years ago, about 4,000 years 

later than from southern New England. A residual ice cap persisted over northern Maine and 

adjacent Quebec, isolated from the Laurentide continental ice sheet by calving ice in the St. 

Lawrence estuary [15]. Th e northern Maine ice cap briefl y fl owed outward from a series of ice 

divides before collapsing altogether. Within the watershed, the area occupied by the northern 

Maine ice cap remains distinctive due to its climate, similar to that of central Labrador, and a 

suite of relic populations of boreal plants and animals that took refuge in an ecological island of 

boreal environment. Ice still plays a major role in the watershed landscape today. Each year, huge 

chunks of thawing ice travel down the St. John and its tributaries, scouring riverbanks and islands 

as they go [16].

Th e St. John River and Human History

With development of the birchbark canoe, the St. John was 

a crucial link in the travel and trade corridors of aboriginal 

North America [11]. Th e carry trails to and from the St. 

Lawrence, Restigouche, Miramichi, Penobscot, and St. Croix 

Rivers were arduous, but eliminated the long sea voyage 

around the Nova Scotia Peninsula. Th e St. John River and its 

tributaries continued to play critical roles in transportation 

and industry in northern Maine until railroads and other 

infrastructure were built [17]. Logs were routinely fl oated 

down rivers from lumber camps to mills far downstream.

Today, stretches of the St. John River form the international 

border between the United States and Canada. Mills, although not as plentiful as they once were, 

are still located on the river. Tributaries of the St. John, most notably the Allagash River, are 

premier destinations for outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

The St. John River 

watershed is home to 

a variety of distinct 

cultural groups, 

including people who 

identify themselves 

as Acadian, Maliseet, 

Mi’kmaq, ScotchIrish, and Swedish.
4

Cultural Groups of the St. John River Watershed

Th e St. John watershed is currently home to several distinct cultural groups. Two of Maine’s four 

Native American tribes, the Maliseet and the Mi’kmaq, are located in the watershed. Historically, 

the Maliseet people—who call themselves Wolastuqwiyik, people of the Wolastuq or “beautiful 

river”—played a key role in indigenous travel and trade. Th eir territory was strategically located 

along the carry trails that linked the St. John River with Labrador, the Great Lakes, Chaleur Bay, 

the Gulf of Maine, and Massachusetts Bay [11]. Today, Maliseets live in both Canada and the 

United States. In Maine, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians received Federal recognition in 

1980 [18]. Members of the Maliseet community include master basketmakers, as well as people 

who retain traditional medicinal and linguistic knowledge.

Mi’kmaq people also have a long history of inhabiting parts of the St. John River watershed 

[19]. Traditional Mi’kmaq territory encompasses much of maritime Canada, including Nova 

Scotia, Prince Edward Island, parts of New Brunswick and Quebec’s Gaspe Peninsula, as well 

as parts of northern Maine. Part of the larger Mi’kmaq Nation, the 1,000-member Aroostook 

Band of Micmacs was federally recognized in 1991 and is located in Presque Isle, Maine [20]. 

Band members are known for their brown ash basketry as well as birch bark boxes decorated with 

porcupine quillwork [20].

In the 1780s, almost 30 years after forced deportation from their homes in Nova Scotia, French 

Acadians began to settle in the area now known as the St. John River Valley [7]. Traces of the 

French land use system, in which parcels of land were given out in long strips, ensuring that each 

landowner had river frontage as well as access to fi elds and upland forests, are still visible along the 

river today [21]. Residents of towns along the St. John River including Fort Kent, Saint Agathe, 

and Madawaska still retain a strong Acadian identity. Despite eff orts in the second half of the 20th

century to prevent French from being taught or spoken in school, more than 16,000 people in the 

St. John Valley report speaking the language at home today [22].

Swedish immigrants settled the town of New Sweden in 1870, followed by the town of Stockholm 

in 1879 [23]. Settlers were given 160 acres of land per family, including 5 cleared acres for farming. 

Today, members of the Swedish community retain a strong identity evident in such festivities as 

New Sweden’s Midsommar Celebration. Around the same time, but further north, the town of 

Allagash was settled by Scotch-Irish immigrants, newly arrived from New Brunswick. Th ey came 

to cut white pine, and throughout their history, the people of Allagash have depended on forests 

and lumber to make a living [24]. Allagash was a distinctly diff erent, English-speaking outpost in 

the otherwise French-speaking upper St. John Valley. Even today, a trip west from Fort Kent to 

Allagash makes the distinction obvious, as names on mailboxes change from Pelletier and Daigle to 

Haff ord and McBreirarty.

Historical Use of NTFPs in the St. John River Watershed

For as long as people have lived in the St. John River watershed, NTFPs have contributed greatly 

to their livelihoods and well-being. In times when obtaining food was not as easy as a trip to the 

store, wild plants including raspberries and fi ddleheads were important sources of nutrition [25]. 

Similarly, access to doctors was not common in many areas of the watershed. People depended on 

wild plants for everyday medicines, including pain killers and antibiotics. Maliseet and Mi’kmaq 
5

people developed sophisticated medicines using local wild plants [26] that they shared with 

European settlers, particularly the Acadians. Books describing Acadian medicinal traditions include 

Native American-infl uenced formulas, such as the Tonique aux Sept Herbages (Tonic with Seven 

Herbs) that incorporates the bark and twigs of various plants including mountain ash, elderberry, 

willow, chokecherry, and tamarack [27]. Utilitarian items such as canoes made from cedar and 

birch bark made early trade and travel possible in the region. More recently, sale of brown ash 

baskets contributed to people’s livelihoods, enhancing cultural identity and providing much needed 

income [28].

Methods: How Did We Do It?

Learning about current uses of wild plants and fungi in northern Maine depended entirely on the 

willingness of gatherers and land managers to share their time and great knowledge. We collected 

the bulk of our information through interviews and participant 

observations. However, before we could start gathering this 

information, we needed to do some background work. We 

conducted archival research to identify NTFP species that had 

previously been used by northern Maine residents. Th is involved 

time at the Maine Folklife Center and University of Maine system 

libraries, reviewing old interview transcripts, books, and magazines. 

We also became acquainted with State regulations surrounding 

plant and mushroom harvesting. Th is background information 

provided a context for current NTFP gathering activities, which 

helped us design meaningful interview questions. Before we 

could begin interviewing people, we needed to have our interview 

questions approved by the University of Vermont’s Institutional 

Review Board (IRB). Th e IRB ensures that research conducted 

with people is ethical and protects the rights of participants. As 

part of the IRB requirements, an informed consent form was 

created and given to participants before the start of interviews.

We spoke with a total of 42 people, including 28 NTFP gatherers 

and 14 land managers and landowners. To fi nd people to 

interview, we used a method called “snowball sampling [29].” We 

began with a group of key informants who provided us with names 

of people who would be appropriate to talk with about nontimber 

forest products and land management. Th ese people then gave 

us the names of other individuals we should contact. After conducting some initial interviews, we 

developed a pool of potential people to speak with. Using census data and maps of land ownership, 

we chose additional interviewees to make sure that key cultural groups and land managers were 

adequately represented within our sample. When interviewees consented, we audio recorded 

conversations to facilitate later data analysis.

In addition to interviews, we spent time with NTFP gatherers as they collected, processed, and 

used wild plants and fungi. Information not mentioned in an interview often comes to light during 

informal conversation and interaction. Th is research technique, known as participant observation, 

We asked gatherers 

questions about:

NTFPs harvested and their 

uses 

Location of harvesting

Rules for sustainable 

harvesting

Changes in their ability to 

access and harvest NTFPs

We asked land 

managers questions 

about:

Rules, regulations, and 

fees for NTFP gathering

Land management goals 

and techniques
6

gave us fi rsthand knowledge of how 

NTFPs were being used in the St. John 

River watershed. Participant observation 

for our study included opportunities 

to collect and process plants, take part 

in workshops related to basketmaking 

and classes about medicinal plants, and 

spend time with artisans such as Sandi 

MacDonald, who uses wild plants to dye 

wool from her fl ock of sheep, and Judy 

Sherman, who makes wreaths out of 

balsam fi r and red-osier dogwood.

After conducting interviews and 

participant observations, we transcribed 

all of our recordings and fi eld notes 

and imported them into a qualitative 

data analysis program. We then read 

through all of our transcripts several times and developed a series of codes to capture information 

we were interested in. Code topics included NTFP use; NTFP management; traditional ecological 

knowledge about wild plant and fungi species; concerns about NTFP gathering; and details about 

spatial and social patterns in NTFP collection such as distances traveled, land use, land cover, 

land ownership, terms of access, and rules and regulations surrounding such gathering. All of our 

raw data were coded and analyzed to extract details about culturally and economically important 

NTFPs.

Overall Findings

More than 120 species of wild plants and fungi are currently being harvested and used by residents 

of northern Maine. Th ese species are found in a variety of habitats that make up a forested 

landscape, including hardwood, coniferous, and mixed woodlands, wetlands, and old fi elds. Many 

popular NTFPs grow in forest edges. Edge habitat provides the necessary conditions, especially 

abundant light, for species such as chokecherries to thrive and bear fruit. In our study, the most 

common uses of NTFPs are food (55 species) and medicine (58 species) followed by crafts (32 

species) (Table 1). A particular NTFP can have many diff erent functions, depending on the part 

used. For example, the bark of paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is used for crafts and utilitarian 

purposes, the sap can be boiled down for food, and the leaves and twigs are used for medicine. A 

single plant part may also have multiple uses. For example, the fruit of the highbush cranberry 

(Viburnum opulus var. americanum) is made into jam by many people, but the plant’s juice is also 

used as a medicine for high blood pressure by some Native American gatherers. It is also important 

to note that several species of NTFPs are of special spiritual and cultural signifi cance to Mi’kmaq 

and Maliseet gatherers, and there is often no diff erentiation between a plant’s nutritional, medicinal, 

and spiritual aspects. For example, blueberries are considered a food, but they are also an important 

medicine that is often incorporated into ceremonies.

Sandi MacDonald and Michelle Baumfl ek display yarn they dyed 

using goldenrod fl owers collected earlier that morning. Photo 

courtesy of Sandi MacDonald.
7

Most people report collecting NTFPs for the personal use of their families, but many species are 

also sold (Table 2). Some species, such as fi ddleheads and sweetgrass, are sold in their natural, raw 

state, but most plants for sale have been processed in some way to increase their value. For example, 

berries are often used in jams, splints from ash trees are made into baskets, and medicinal plants are 

put into tinctures and salves. While most interviewees who sell NTFPs do so to supplement other 

earnings, some people we spoke with rely on NTFPs as their sole source of income. In addition, 

many people give away NTFPs or products made with NTFPs, such as jams. Some gatherers, 

particularly the Native American people we spoke with, also trade NTFPs for items including 

salmon.

How Do People Learn about NTFPs?

People in northern Maine use a variety of sources to access information related to NTFPs. Many 

people we talked to learned about plant uses from their families, which is especially true for plants 

that were commonly harvested during childhood—berries, fi ddleheads, fi r, and hazelnuts. Several 

interviewees remember being sent out with their brothers and sisters to pick pails full of wild 

strawberries and raspberries; they were not allowed to come home until all of their buckets were 

full. Edible mushrooms are not a traditional food in northern Maine; most people who mentioned 

gathering them learned about easily identifi able species from friends. Other people learn about 

plants through members of their community. Th is method of knowledge transfer was particularly 

Table 1.—Material uses of NTFPs in the St. John River watershed

Aesthetic Craft Food Medicinal Spiritual Utilitarian 

Number of 

species used 

5 32 55 58 7 11

Parts used Flowers, 

cones

Whole plant, 

branches, 

fi ber, roots 

Fruit, seeds, 

leaves, sap 

Roots, bark, 

fi ne branches, 

resin, fl owers, 

fruit, stems, 

leaves 

Whole plant, 

fi ber, bark, 

leaves

Whole plant, 

branches, 

fi ber, roots, 

resin 

Typical modes of 

preparation and 

products 

Used as 

decorations 

Placed in 

vases, fresh 

or dried

Woven into 

baskets, 

wreaths, 

bouquets 

Eaten fresh, 

boiled, frozen, 

preserved/

pickled

Tea, tonic, 

poultice 

Bunched, 

braided, 

shredded, 

smoked 

Baskets, 

containers, 

canoes, 

bedding 

material

Representative 

species 

Queen Anne’s 

lace, lupine, 

mullein

Black ash, 

balsam fi r, 

spruce, white 

birch 

Ostrich fern 

(fi ddleheads), 

highbush 

cranberry, 

various berries, 

hazelnuts

Goldthread, 

white pine, 

chokecherry, 

St. Johnswort 

Sweetgrass, 

cedar, 

red-osier 

dogwood 

Black ash, 

white birch, 

balsam fi r

Table 2.—Livelihood uses of NTFPs, number of species used

Gift Personal use Sale processed Sale raw Trade

14 100 45a 4 33

aOut of these 45 species, 23 were mentioned by a single person who 

makes and sells medicinal remedies.
8

signifi cant for Native American NTFP gatherers who learn and teach about medicinal plants by 

speaking with elders and by participating in hands-on group gathering activities and ceremonies. 

Books, including fi eld guides, are another popular way to learn about wild plants and fungi and 

were mentioned the most by people who use NTFPs primarily for medicines. For the computer 

savvy, the Internet provided additional information about the use of wild plants, such as 

alternative recipes for jams and homemade wine, and lore about the origins of plant names.

Gatherers we interviewed shared their 

knowledge of plants in several ways as 

well. Several people we spoke with taught 

workshops and classes related to topics 

such as harvesting and processing medicinal 

plants, working with natural plant dyes, 

and making black ash baskets. Some 

gatherers with families reported teaching 

their children about uses for wild plants, 

although in some cases children were 

reluctant or not interested in learning.

Where Do People Harvest?

Most of the people we spoke with harvest 

primarily on their own land or on land belonging to friends and family. People who harvest 

NTFPs in larger quantities, such as balsam fi r boughs for commercial wreath operations, collected 

on industrial forest land, paying a per pound fee. Because many plants collected by Native 

Americans are habitat specifi c, the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet gatherers we spoke with often travel 

long distances to harvest and reported collecting NTFPs on private, public, and tribal lands.

Nontimber Forest Products and Cultural Celebrations

Many NTFPs are important for cultural celebrations. For example, fi ddleheads are often served 

at tribal feasts in Mi’kmaq and Maliseet communities, while sweetgrass and cedar may be used as 

smudges for purifi cation during powwows.

Even if an NTFP is used only once a year, it may be essential for a cultural event. For example, 

northern Maine’s Swedish community holds a Midsommar celebration every year on the summer 

solstice. Th is joyous event is one of the most anticipated of the year and gives people of Swedish 

descent an opportunity to celebrate their heritage and community history. Festivities include 

traditional Swedish costumes, music, and dances around a maypole. Th e day before Midsommar, 

a group of dedicated community members meets to harvest buckets full of wild lupines, which 

are used to decorate the maypole as well as garlands that women wear in their hair. Because they 

are quite fl exible, tamarack branches are also harvested and used as the base for garlands.

Participants in a medicinal plant class taught by Natalia Bragg. 

Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
9

What’s Changing?

Access. While formal rules and regulations around gathering have not changed much in northern 

Maine, some NTFP gatherers report having a harder time fi nding and gaining access to the 

resources they need. Th e issue is not owners of large acreages of forest land in northern Maine; for 

the most part, they are open to NTFP harvesting and charge fees or issue permits or leases only for 

commercially collected products such as balsam fi r boughs and sugar maple sap. Bigger changes 

in access seem to be coming from smaller landowners-- people who own woodlots and farms. As 

in many parts of New England, posting land against trespass is becoming increasingly common 

in Maine [11]. Several lifelong residents we spoke with felt that people from “away” were moving 

into the area and posting land. Landowners we spoke with who post their land said they did so 

because of concerns about safety as well as property damage. Others keep access open because they 

feel it is the way it has always been and should continue to be in Maine.

Midsommar preparations and 

festivities in New Sweden. 

After lupines are gathered, 

they are woven into garlands to 

make the maypole. Photos by 

Michelle Baumfl ek.
10

Among NTFP gatherers we spoke with, Native 

Americans reported the greatest decline in access 

to resources, especially people who collect brown 

ash. Because trees regenerate slowly and are found 

in specifi c habitats, many ash collectors need 

to seek access to other people’s property. One 

basketmaker recalled that farmers typically had 

good working relationships with basketmakers 

when ash baskets were used for potato harvests. 

He felt that access had suff ered as those ties 

weakened due to the mechanization of potato 

harvests, the sale of land, and the passing of 

land down to the next generation, who did not 

remember previously strong relationships.

Native American gatherers also routinely traveled the greatest distances (30 to 150 miles) to collect 

NTFP species. In part this is because medicinal and culturally important plants such as fl ag root and 

sweetgrass grow in very limited areas. However, it also raises some socioeconomic issues-- people who 

own their own land tend to gather on that land. Some Native American gatherers do not own a big 

enough piece of land to fi nd the species they need. More often, they do not own any land at all.

Environmental conditions. Change is a natural part of any ecosystem. Gatherers and land managers 

we spoke with mentioned several kinds of change that may aff ect the availability of NTFPs. Natural 

succession of forests and old fi elds, erosion of riverbanks, and development of land all contributed 

to NTFP habitat loss within the watershed. In addition, at least one land 

manager mentioned closing logging roads, which may limit access to some 

NTFP collecting sites. On the other hand, environmental changes also 

may increase NTFP availability. For example, several interviewees noted 

that the creation of new logging roads and fresh timber harvests provide 

excellent habitat for berries.

Concerns about toxicity. A major theme that emerged among gatherers 

we spoke with was concern over harvesting plants that may have been 

exposed to chemicals including herbicides and pesticides. In addition, 

many people avoided collecting plants along roadsides.

“I would never pick anything on the sides of the roads, because I mean, all of 

the pollution that you get from there...the cars and, just even the dogs and the 

cats, you know, so you have to make sure that, you’ve got to travel a ways to get 

something that hasn’t been touched.” Colleen Gauvin

Th is theme emerged most strongly among people who gather NTFPs for food 

and medicine and was less of a concern for craftspeople. Many people preferred 

to harvest on their own land because they knew the land had not been treated 

with any potentially toxic substances.

Posted signs can decrease gatherer access. Photo by 

Michelle Baumfl ek.

“We did have a problem 

that changed things a 

lot. They [an industrial 

forestry operation] 

sprayed. Once they 

sprayed, we wouldn’t 

dare to pick anything.” 

Faye Haff ord

Pesticide usage limits 

access to some lands. 

Photo by Michelle 

Baumfl ek.
11

Loss of knowledge. Gatherers we spoke with expressed concern about a loss of knowledge about 

wild plant uses, and they fear that skills and knowledge are not being passed down to the next 

generation. Th is fear is exacerbated by a loss of traditionally spoken languages in Native American 

and French Acadian communities.

Respect for Indigenous Knowledge

As previously stated, the success of our research study was completely dependent on NTFP 

gatherers who were gracious enough to share their time and knowledge. Within this group, we 

feel it is particularly important to acknowledge and respect the contributions of Mi’kmaq and 

Maliseet gatherers. In many places around the world, indigenous people have developed systems 

of plant use and management based on hundreds or thousands of years of interaction with a 

specifi c landscape [30]. However, such knowledge has not always been appreciated and valued 

by western science. In other instances, indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants has been 

appropriated for profi t by external forces without any benefi t (and sometimes much detriment) 

to the knowledge holders [31]. To us, respect for indigenous knowledge involves an adherence 

to intellectual property rights. Beyond that, it also involves respect for and acknowledgement of 

the validity of worldviews and ideas about spirituality that might not be familiar to us. Last of all, 

respect for indigenous knowledge requires reciprocity, or giving back. Information we collected 

for this study will be returned to Mi’kmaq and Maliseet communities in a form that is useful to 

them.

Sustainable Harvesting Techniques

NTFPs have specifi c harvesting requirements that depend on their life histories, population 

sizes, and habitats. Before collecting anything, it is important to understand the specifi c needs 

of the plant or fungi you are interested 

in. Every NTFP has an optimal stage of 

development and corresponding time of 

year when harvest optimizes benefi cial plant 

properties while minimizing negative eff ects 

on plant populations. Often, sustainable 

harvesting methods for an NTFP species are 

recognized only after decades of observation 

and experimentation. However, there are 

some general rules for harvesting that many 

gatherers we spoke with mentioned: 

Harvest in moderation. Take only what you 

need; never take all of anything. Is the species 

that you are harvesting abundant? If not, take 

that into serious consideration when deciding 

how much you really need. Th e plant part 

being harvested makes a big diff erence as well. 

Harvesting a large quantity of roots can be more detrimental to a plant than harvesting its fruit. 

Also think about wildlife and others that may depend on the same resources.

Every plant has an optimal harvest time. Goldenrod fl owers produce 

the most vibrant dyes if they are harvested just before buds open up. 

Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
12

Be careful where you step. It is easy to damage a sensitive environment in a short amount of time. 

Plant populations can be destroyed by trampling. Certain soils are easily compacted, which aff ects 

root growth and plant health. Th ink about your plan of entry into a specifi c area, and try to 

minimize the number of trips you make to avoid unnecessary damage.

Pay attention to your plants. Observe plants as you interact with them. Does their population size 

change from year to year? Do your harvesting activities appear to have an impact?

Make sure you know what you are picking. Sometimes desirable plants and fungi have look-alikes 

and are diffi cult to identify. Proper identifi cation can mean the diff erence between sinking your 

teeth into a delicious edible morel (Morchella species) and becoming sick from ingesting a false 

one (Gyromitra species). To help make positive identifi cations, carry a guidebook that describes 

plants and fungi found in your area, such as Newcomb’s Wildfl ower Guide in the northeast or the 

Audubon Society’s Guide to North American Mushrooms.

Give thanks. Th is guideline was mentioned by every Native American gatherer we spoke with. Th ey 

suggest that to show respect before harvesting a plant, make an off ering of tobacco, say a prayer of 

thanks, and ask the plant for permission to harvest it.

A Note of Caution!

This guidebook is not intended to provide comprehensive 

information about NTFP uses, harvesting, and safety.

As much as possible, we report important information about 

sustainable harvesting techniques and plant uses as described 

to us by NTFP gatherers. However, if you plan on trying some 

harvesting, we recommend consulting with several other sources 

of credible information to ensure your safety and the safety of the 

plants or fungi you are interested in. Whenever possible, go out 

for the fi rst time with someone who knows what they are doing.

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational 

purposes only. It should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment 

and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.
13

SPECIES DESCRIPTIONS

In the following pages, we will give you detailed 

information on some of northern Maine’s culturally 

and economically important nontimber forest 

products. Th e information in these pages has been 

synthesized from data collected through interviews 

and participant observations as well as from botanical 

and ecological literature.

We chose 30 of the most popular species from the 

more than 120 diff erent plants and fungi that people 

mentioned in interviews (for a complete list of 

NTFPs, see Appendix 1). We selected these species 

based on the following criteria:

• How many people mentioned the NTFP

• Whether the NTFP is of special cultural 

signifi cance to a specifi c group of people, 

as expressed through use in day-to-day life, 

celebrations, and ceremonies

• How the NTFP contributes to income in the 

watershed, from household to regional levels

• Whether the NTFP has a long history of use 

in the area

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). Photo 

courtesy of Elaine Haug, USDA-NRCS 

PLANTS Database.

Each species description 

contains the following 

information:

English common 

name

Scientifi c name (genus, 

species, and family)

Other names, 

including French, 

Mi’kmaq, and 

Maliseet [52-54]

Physical description

Habitat description

Preparation and use

Time of year when 

harvest is optimal

Tips for sustainable 

harvesting 

A Note about Quotes

Whenever possible, each species 

description includes direct 

quotations from interviews with 

NTFP gatherers. Some of these 

interviewees wanted their names 

associated with the information 

they provided us, while others 

preferred to remain anonymous.
14

Ash, Brown

Fraxinus nigra Oleaceae

Other Names: Black ash, basket ash, frene noir (French), wikp (Maliseet), 

wiskoq (Mi’kmaq)

“My grandfather always said you could tell 

[the quality of a tree] by how the leaves 

are. Not so much in the wintertime, but if 

it’s nice and green at the top, that’s good, 

but if it’s got a lot of dead at the top, then 

it’s not good. You look at how straight 

the tree is, you look to see if there’s a lot of 

knots in it. You also look at the bark. Th e 

cleaner the bark is, the better the tree.”

Often considered a “trash tree” in timber 

terms, brown ash is central to the cultural 

identity and economic livelihoods of Native 

Americans in northern Maine. According 

to the Wabanaki creation myth, people 

came forth from the bark of an ash after 

Gluskap, the Creator, shot an arrow into the tree. Baskets made out of ash splints have been used 

for thousands of years. Ash work baskets were built and used by 

Native American workers to collect potato crops in Aroostook 

County until harvests became mechanized around 1960. Today, 

brown ash basketry has been elevated to an art form. Many 

basketmakers favor lighter colored sapwood, which holds vibrant 

dye colors better than darker heartwood. Master basketmakers 

may command hundreds or thousands of dollars for intricate, 

exquisitely woven fancy baskets.

Physical Description: Brown ash is a small to medium tree with 

thick, opposite branches. Leaves are made up of 7 to 11 oval 

leafl ets. Bark is gray, fl aky, and irregularly furrowed. Brown ash 

fruit is a broad, single-winged samara.

Habitat: Brown ash is typically found in swamps, along 

streambanks, and other moist sites.

Uses: Brown ash is used as a basketmaking material by Mi’kmaq 

and Maliseet artisans. Ash wood is also used to create traditional 

wooden snowshoes.

Preparation: After being cut down, ash is pounded, either in 

whole logs or in long, narrow sections, to separate growth rings.

Brown ash log during pounding, with partially separated rings. 

Photo courtesy of Suzanne Greenlaw.

Brown ash leaf. Photo courtesy of USDANRCS PLANTS Database/Herman, D.E. 

et al. 1996. North Dakota tree handbook. 

USDA-NRCS ND State Soil Conservation 

Committee; NDSU Extension and Western 

Area Power Administration, Bismarck.
15

“You’ve got to pound the top side, turn it 

over, pound it over the bottom side, then 

you have to put it on an angle and pound 

that for the third time, and then bend that 

over, and when you bend that, it breaks the 

fi bers from the wood.”

Depending on the thickness, individual annual 

layers may be further split into several layers. 

Splints are then scraped smooth and stored 

until ready for use. Wood must be kept moist 

or else it becomes brittle. Some basketmakers 

will sink whole logs into ponds until they are 

needed.

Best Time to Harvest: Ash may be harvested any time of year. Some people prefer to wait until 

winter because frozen ground and snow cover make harvesting less messy and less damaging to soils, 

particularly in wet areas.

Brown ash basket by Fred Tomah. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Brown ash splints ready for weaving. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
16

Threats to Brown Ash Basketry

Changes in Quality: Several basketmakers we spoke with expressed 

concern about the quality of ash trees in northern Maine, explaining that 

fi nding suitable trees has become harder and harder. Brown ash is good 

for basketmaking because it is supple and bends easily without breaking, 

but recently, basketmakers have been encountering brittle wood.

“I got a permit to harvest some wood, but it was gutchid, it was brittle. 

But we were still able to use it, like some of it was good. And that’s the 

way it is now. It’s almost impossible to get a stick that’s actually perfect 

now, where we used to get some that were just, my grandmother would 

just be so happy when she’d see those logs. But now, all she sees is 

mostly brittle wood.”

“I remember a lot of brown ash that had a lot of sapwood, the white 

wood. You can walk in and cut wood today, and you get no white wood.”

Access to Land: Native American basketmakers we spoke with felt that 

gaining access to land and permission to harvest trees is becoming 

increasingly diffi cult. Several people attributed this change to shifts in 

landowner attitudes about privacy and the management of their land:

“People are a little more into their land and how it’s going to be treated, 

and not wanting anything to be cut on it, and wanting to preserve that, 

which is understandable... But it’s hard because we’re trying to preserve 

a way of life, too. It makes it really hard...it gets kind of discouraging.”

Emerald Ash Borer: Basketmakers are becoming increasingly concerned 

about the threat of emerald ash borer (photo below), even though it 

has not yet been found in Maine. This small beetle has decimated ash 

populations in the Midwest and has been steadily making its way east. 

Along with Maine’s four Native American tribes (Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, 

Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot), the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance 

has been taking preemptive measures, including creating a seed bank to 

preserve ash resources for future generations.

Emerald ash borer. Photo courtesy 

of David Cappaert, Michigan State 

University, invasive.org
17

Balm-of-Gilead

Populus species Salicaceae

Other Names: Balsam poplar,3 peuplier (French), ewepipoq (Maliseet), stoqon 

(Mi’kmaq)

“Th e balm-of-Gilead salve, there are 

so many diff erent ways in which it can 

be made, and all the old families had 

some form of it. It could be boiled in 

water, where the resin came to the top 

and skimmed off , almost like a tar. 

Or, it could be done in alcohol, and 

then it would be used in a lotion form 

or liniment. And, technically, you can 

actually put that in a salve as well. Or, 

you can do it in various diff erent kinds 

of oils, but everybody had their own 

favorite way of doing it.” Natalia Bragg

Th e balm-of-Gilead tree has a pretty spotty reputation in northern Maine. Considered a “trash” tree 

by many, it has an all but forgotten use—the resin from its buds is highly medicinal. At one time, 

farm families, loggers, and trappers used balm-of-Gilead to create a long-lasting fi rst aid salve. Today, 

Natalia Bragg and others carry on the tradition.

Physical Description: Balm-of-Gilead is a medium tree that can grow up to 70 feet tall. It has dark 

green leaves that are 3 to 5 inches long and 2 to 5 inches wide, egg-shaped, and pointed at the tip. 

Seeds ripen in early June, attached to a cotton-like substance that aids wind dispersal. Th e buds of 

balm-of-Gilead are large, brown, resinous, and strong-smelling. Th e bark of young trees ranges from 

cinnamon brown to green, turning gray and deeply ridged as it ages.

Habitat: Roadsides, ditches, wet areas bordering swamps.

Uses: Resin from the buds is antibacterial, antifungal, and mildly 

analgesic. Balm-of-Gilead resin is an ingredient in cough syrups and 

fi rst aid salves, used to heal small wounds, cuts, and scrapes.

Preparation: Buds can be placed into warm olive oil, animal fat, or 

alcohol to extract the resin. Herbalist Natalia Bragg remembers a 

time when all of the large farm families in her town had their own 

recipes for a fi rst aid salve made with balm-of-Gilead.

No matter which form of preparation, it is important to note that 

balm-of-Gilead buds are sticky, and resin does not come off easily. 

Consider using tin cans or coff ee cans when extracting resin.

3Much confusion exists over the scientifi c identity of balm-of-Gilead. Some say it is balsam poplar 

(P. balsamifera), but many believe it is a hybrid between balsam poplar and black cottonwood.

Balm-of-Gilead leaves. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Resinous bud of the balm-of-Gilead tree. 

Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
18

Best Time to Harvest: Buds must be harvested in early spring before leaves come out. Look for 

buds that have large drops of resin on them. A really cold spring may extend the harvesting season. 

Morning is the best time to harvest. To avoid getting stubborn resin on your fi ngers, wear gloves 

while collecting buds.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Natalia Bragg off ered several tips for harvesting 

balm-of-Gilead buds. First, never harvest all of your buds from one tree. Second, never harvest the 

terminal bud from a branch, which allows the tree to put on additional growth in coming years. 

Th ird, if you harvest from a certain tree one year, do not return to that same tree the following year.

 Some species information derived from Forest Trees of Maine, Centennial Edition 1908-2008 

[32].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.
19

Beech, American

Fagus grandifolia Fagaceae

Other Names: Hêtre (French), mihihqimus (Maliseet), suwo’musi (Mi’kmaq)

Th e American beech is a vital food source for a 

variety of wildlife in northern Maine. It has the 

distinction of being the area’s only nut-producing 

tree. Much of the beech population in northern 

Maine has been aff ected by beech bark disease, which 

infects and kills larger trees of nut-producing age.

Physical Description: American beech is a medium 

to large tree with a rounded crown; it may reach 

heights of 70 feet in Maine. Healthy trees of any 

age have smooth gray bark. Beeches have slender 

branches and thin, pointy buds up to 3⁄4 inches long. 

Leathery leaves are arranged alternately on branches, 

are 3 to 5 inches long, and have an acutely pointed tip and sharply toothed margins. Many dead 

beech leaves will remain on tree branches throughout the winter. Pairs of beechnuts are contained 

within a spiny husk called an involucre. Th e nuts themselves are brown, shiny, and triangular. Beech 

can sprout from the roots, and clonal stands are common.

Habitat: Although beech trees exist in various soil and forest types, they do best in rich, upland soil. 

Interviewees mentioned fi nding beech on upland ridges. In northern Maine, beech can be found in 

pure stands or in mixed hardwood stands.

Uses: Beechnuts are collected and enjoyed by many in the fall.

Preparation: Depending on the time of harvest, the spiny husks 

of beechnuts will be open and relatively easy to remove. But be 

forewarned: the spines are prickly. Some interviewees eat beechnuts 

raw, while others prefer to roast and salt them.

Best Time to Harvest: Beechnuts begin to ripen in late August and 

can be harvested into October. One gatherer off ered this tip for 

harvesting beechnuts:

“If you fi nd trees that are putting out nuts in a certain year, spread 

a sheet underneath it, and let them fall on that rather than trying 

to pick them up out of the duff .”

Beechnut harvest often coincides with other fall activities. For instance, some interviewees who 

cut beech for fi rewood simply harvest nuts from easy-to-reach felled trees. A land manager we 

interviewed noted that many hunters will seek out beech ridges because they know that deer will be 

there, but that they also end up collecting nuts.

American beech leaves. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Beechnut. Photo by Bill Cook, Michigan 

State University, bugwood.org.
20

Several interviewees commented on the cyclical nature of beechnut production, which results in 

varying harvest size from one year to the next. One interviewee noted that beech trees infected with 

beech bark disease seemed to produce mast more often than healthy trees:

“[2008] was a wonderful year for beechnuts. It wasn’t as good as two years ago, so last year was 

poor to none, although I found that the unhealthy beechnuts produce a prodigious amount of mast 

compared to [a] healthy stand. A healthy stand may only bear once in eight years here, where 

an unhealthy stand is going to bear whenever the maple trees bear. Th ey’re cyclical, it’s really 

interesting, and they will bring themselves into sync.”

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Do not cut healthy beech trees that appear to be 

resistant to or unaff ected by beech bark disease. When harvesting beechnuts, take only what you 

need, considering the many types of wildlife that depend on this food source.

 Some species information derived from Virginia Polytechnic Institute’s American Beech Tree 

Fact Sheet [33].
21

Birch, Paper

Betula papyrifera Betulaceae

Other Names: White birch, bouleau blanc (French), masqemus (Maliseet), 

maskwi (Mi’kmaq)

Immediately recognizable due to its striking white bark, 

paper birch is an exceptionally versatile tree. Paper 

birch is extremely cold tolerant and has the widest range 

of any of our native birch trees, spanning from Maine 

to Alaska. Walking through the woods, you might come 

across white cylinders of rot-resistant bark left empty 

as the inner wood rots away. Rot resistance made paper 

birch bark a favorite material for canoe building, but 

this is only one of its many attributes. In addition to 

being aesthetically beautiful, paper birch is sometimes 

referred to as “the medicine tree” because the leaves, 

bark, twigs, and sap have a long history of use for 

curative purposes.

Physical Description: A fastgrowing, small to medium tree, 

paper birch can reach up to 90 

feet tall, but is usually shorter. It 

is easily distinguished by its characteristic white, exfoliating bark that peels off 

in horizontal strips. Oval leaves have doubly serrate margins and pointed tips. 

Twigs are slender, reddish-brown, and dotted with lighter colored enlarged 

pores called lenticels. Individual trees have both male and female fl owers in 

separate, cylindrical clusters known as catkins.

Habitat: Paper birch is commonly found in mixed hardwood-conifer 

forests and along riverbanks. It will sometimes form pure stands following 

disturbances such as logging or fi re. Drought and shade intolerant, paper birch 

needs abundant light to become established. Although it grows in a variety of soil types, paper birch 

does best in well-drained soils such as sandy loams.

Uses: Winter bark of birch trees is used to make 

baskets, containers, decorative hair clips, and other 

utilitarian items. Bark is actually made up of several 

thin layers, held together by a powdery white substance 

called betulin, which can be used as a painkiller. In 

addition, paper birch bark is highly rot resistant and 

makes an excellent fi re starter, even when wet. Th e 

leaves, twigs, and sap of paper birch are used to treat 

skin conditions. Although not commonly done in 

Maine, the sap of paper birch (as well as yellow birch) 

may be used to make syrup.

Collecting sap from paper birch trees. Photo 

by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Paper birch leaves. Photo by 

Michelle Baumfl ek.

Traditional folded birch bark container, or 

makuk. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
22

Preparation: Winter bark must be warmed before shaping it into containers and other items. 

Betulin from bark may be extracted in alcohol to make a tincture that is taken internally or infused 

into warm oil to make a topical salve.

Best Time to Harvest: Harvest birch sap in the spring and harvest leaves and twigs in the spring and 

summer. Bark can be harvested in the spring for certain applications, but one interviewee noted that 

to obtain a stiff , non-exfoliating bark, harvesting should take place in the winter:

“You have to collect it [bark] in the winter, when the sap is down. If you collect it when the sap 

is up in the spring of the year, it’s very limber. You can make pouches out of it, or something like 

that, but it exfoliates. It’ll just come apart layer by layer by layer. You know, you have to lash the 

edges of it and everything else, and it’s a pain in the neck to try to deal with. You collect them 

when the sap is down, and they’re stiff .”

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Do not 

peel too much exfoliating bark off of any one birch—this 

can seriously harm or even kill the tree. Instead, fi rst look 

for bark that has fallen off the tree on its own—it is just as 

potent. When done correctly (taking care not to peel off 

the inner bark, called the cambium, where the sap runs), 

harvesting large pieces of winter bark will not harm birch 

trees. It will simply cause the bark to grow back much 

darker for several years, like the tree in this photograph. 

But there is a trick to this, so it is best to learn from 

someone experienced.

 Some species information derived from the Paper Birch 

chapter of Silvics of North America [34].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.

Paper birch trunk after bark harvest. 

Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
23

Blueberries

Vaccinium species Ericaceae

Other Names: Low bush (Vaccinium angustifolium), high bush (Vaccinium 

corymbosum), bleuet (French), sahtiyil (Maliseet), pkuman (Mi’kmaq)

“Th ere was a big place across the river where 

we lived that had been burned, there had 

been a big fi re, and the blueberries were just 

tremendous. Th at’s where they come, it’s after 

a fi re...like I say, if there’s a big burn, well 

you’re going to get blueberries, and everybody 

goes and picks it. Th ey come from other towns 

to pick.” Faye Haff ord

Many people equate Maine with wild 

blueberries. In fact, low bush blueberry is the 

State fruit, and each summer, large quantities 

of the berries are commercially harvested near 

the coasts of Downeast Maine. Many Native 

American residents of the St. John River 

watershed used to travel to other parts of the State to earn seasonal income as blueberry pickers. Low 

bush blueberries, along with high bush blueberries, remain a favorite wild food of area residents.

Physical Description: Both low and high bush blueberries have nodding, white to pinkish bellshaped fl owers that appear in small clusters. Flowers are followed by familiar blue to blue-black 

berries with many seeds. Low bush blueberry is a short, spreading shrub growing up to 2 feet tall. 

Plants often form dense colonies. Leaves are glossy, narrowly elliptical with a small, sharply toothed 

margin. High bush blueberry is a shrub that grows up to 15 feet tall. Leaves are simple, egg-shaped, 

smooth or waxy above, with hairs on undersides. Twigs are yellowish-green.

Habitat: Low bush blueberry tolerates a variety of soil moisture levels and can be found growing in 

forests, clearings, bog margins, old fi elds, and areas that have been recently burned. Many plants are 

found in sandy or rocky soil. Although low bush blueberries can persist in the forest understory, they 

need ample light to produce fruit. High bush blueberry is most common in moist to wet soil, but 

can also be found on drier, upland sites. Shade intolerant, high bush blueberries often grow around 

forest edges, swamps, bogs, and marshes. Blueberries prefer moderate to strongly acidic soil. Several 

interviewees noted that blueberries are more abundant in other parts of Maine:

“Of course, the blueberry is also harvested where you fi nd it available in northern Maine, but it is 

far less common to fi nd the blueberry in northern Maine than when you get a little further south 

into eastern Maine, and also somewhat down around the Kathadin area where you get to the 

tree line, and the areas, the interim area between the non-tree line and tree line, I know a lot of 

people that will go all the way down to the Kathadin area from here to gather blueberries, during 

blueberry season.” Tim Scott

Blueberries. Photo courtesy of the Green Mountain 

National Forest.
24

Uses: Blueberries are primarily enjoyed as a delicious summer fruit. Blueberries are also considered a 

medicine by Native Americans and are incorporated into certain ceremonies. Although not colorfast, 

a blue dye can be created from the berries, and it is sometimes used to dye brown ash splints used in 

baskets.

Preparation: Many people enjoy eating blueberries fresh, but also in pies and jams.

Best Time to Harvest: In northern Maine, blueberries become ripe in mid-summer, from late 

July into August. Th e fl avor of wild berries can vary in intensity from year to year, depending on 

environmental conditions. For example, in 2008, a wet, rainy summer produced large, but somewhat 

bland berries.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: In areas with a limited supply of berries, harvest in 

moderation. Consider birds and other wildlife that also depend on this vital food source.

 Some species information derived from Gleason and Cronquist’s Manual of Vascular Plants of 

the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada [35], the Burke Museum of Natural History 

and Culture/University of Washington Herbarium [36], and the Freckmann Herbarium at the 

University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point [37].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.
25

Burdock, Common

Arctium minus Asteraceae

Other Names: Rhubarb sauvage (French), kawisimus (Maliseet), kawiksaw 

(Mi’kmaq)

At the mention of the word “burdock,” many people recall childhood 

memories of Velcro-like burs that tenaciously clung to anything from 

clothing, to shoelaces, to pets and sometimes necessitated haircuts. 

Because of its ability to spread vigorously, burdock is also considered a 

noxious weed in some states. But, that’s only part of the story: burdock is 

valued as a medicine and wild food among gatherers in northern Maine.

Physical Description: Burdock can grow to be 4 1⁄2 feet tall. Leaves are 

large, up to 18 inches long and 14 inches wide, deep green, and oval, but 

they can be heart-shaped lower on the stem. Lower leaf stems are often 

hollow. Purple, thistle-like fl owers are produced in bristly heads, from 

mid-summer to early fall, later turning into familiar brown burs with 

hooked bracts that persist through the winter.

Habitat: Introduced from Eurasia, burdock is common in areas of 

nutrient-poor soil, along roadsides, and fi eld edges.

Uses: Th e root and seeds are used medicinally as an overall tonic and cleanser. People we interviewed 

felt burdock was a good blood purifi er. Th e root is also a nutritious edible known as “gobo” in 

Japanese. Both the root and the seeds have the same properties, although the root is stronger. Natalia 

Bragg relays this advice:

“When there’s a need for speed, use the seed. When you have time, use the root.”

Preparation: Burdock root may be used fresh or dried in tea form. One interviewee recommended 

drinking three cups of burdock tea a day to provide energy. Th e roots can also be dried and then 

steeped in strong alcohol to create a concentrated tincture. Fresh burdock root may be eaten raw or 

cooked. Sautéing is a popular preparation method.

Best Time to Harvest: Burdock root is harvested in the fall. Seeds may be harvested any time after 

they form, generally in the fall. A biennial, burdock root is best used at the end of its fi rst year or at 

the beginning of its second year, before the plant fl owers.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Burdock is common. However, harvest roots only 

in areas where there are numerous plants; collecting the taproot will kill an individual plant. Use 

caution when harvesting plant materials near roadsides or places where herbicides or other chemicals 

may have been applied.

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.

Photo used by permission of Dan 

Tenaglia, Missouriplants.com
26

Cedar, Eastern WhiteThuja occidentalis Cupressaceae

Other Names: Arborvitae, cèdre (French), kakskus (Maliseet), qaskusi (Mi’kmaq)

Eastern white-cedar is a ubiquitous tree of wet areas across the St. John River watershed. Cedar 

wood is known for its rot-resistant properties, making it a popular material for shingles, fenceposts, 

and canoe frames. In addition to being prized for its versatile wood, cedar has a variety of other uses, 

ranging from the spiritual to the utilitarian.

Cedar swamps also provide important 

ecosystem services, such as critical winter 

habitat for deer.

Physical Description: Eastern white-cedar 

grows up to 45 feet tall and has a conical to 

pyramidal form. Branches are divided into 

fl attened, fan-shaped branchlets. Evergreen 

leaves are comprised of overlapping scales that 

are bright green above and whitish-green below. 

Cedar bark forms fi brous, shreddy ridges and 

ranges from reddish-brown to gray. Cones are 

brown, egg-shaped, and up to half an inch long.

Habitat: Eastern white-cedar is commonly found in nutrient-rich sites with a neutral pH. Although 

it grows best on well-drained sites, cedar is often a dominant species of swamps.

Uses: Cedar boughs and cones are used to create wreaths, 

potpourri, sachets, and other craft items. Green leaves are 

high in vitamin C and can also be used to create a salve that is 

nourishing for the skin. Cedar boughs are harvested and distilled 

to create essential oil, which is used as a moth repellant and an 

ingredient in household cleansers and cosmetics. Traditionally, 

the inner bark of cedar was used as a fi ber for making rope and 

fabric. Shredded cedar bark makes an excellent fi re starter. Cedar 

is considered purifying and is very important to the Mi’kmaq 

and Maliseet, who often use it in ceremonies and sweat lodges.

Preparation: Boughs are cut into smaller pieces to remove thick, 

woody stems before use in crafts and ceremonies. Fresh green 

leaves may be made into a vitamin-rich tea. Leaves can also be 

steeped in warm oil or animal fat to create topical salves.

Best Time to Harvest: Harvest when new growth is evident. 

One interviewee noted that he does not harvest cedar in the 

winter, when the leaves are a dull yellow-green. Instead, he harvests cedar boughs only when leaves 

are a vibrant, bright green.

Boughs of eastern white cedar. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Eastern white-cedar bark. Photo by 

Michelle Baumfl ek.
27

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Try to harvest only new growth, because it will 

regenerate the following year. Don’t harvest too many boughs from any one tree. It is a good idea to 

follow this simple rule:

“You don’t take too much from any one tree. Th e only time we would take a whole tree when 

picking cedar is if the tree is broken in some way, if the tree is in danger of being run over or 

something like that, but for the most part, we’ll only take maybe four or fi ve cuttings off of a tree.” 

Sue Young

 Some species information derived from Gleason and Cronquist’s Manual of Vascular Plants 

of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada [35] and the USDA-NRCS PLANTS 

Database [38].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.
28

Chives, Wild

Allium schoenoprasum var. sibiricum Liliaceae

Other Names: Shore onions, ciboulette (French)

 “Along the banks of the rivers...chives! Chives are all 

over the place, and on canoe trips, we harvest those. I can 

remember doing that many, many times.” Tim Scott

Closely related to cultivated chives, wild chives are native 

to Maine and many other parts of the United States and 

Canada. Considered threatened in several states including 

New Hampshire, wild chives grow abundantly along the 

rivers and streams of northern Maine.

Physical Description: Wild chives resemble cultivated 

chives, but tend to be stouter. Th ey have narrow, tubular, 

often hollow leaves, and they can reach heights of 20 

inches. When the leaves are cut or crushed, wild chives 

exude a strong onion scent. Six-petaled, star-shaped 

fl owers form in dense clusters at the tops of stems and 

are generally pink or purple. Th e bulbs of wild chives are 

small, usually not much thicker than the stem.

Habitat: Look for chives near the banks of rivers and streams.

Uses: Th e green tops of wild chives are eaten.

Preparation: Wild chives can be eaten raw as a garnish or tangy addition to sandwiches, but they 

can also be eaten cooked.

Best Time to Harvest: Wild chives are generally harvested in the spring. At times when cooking 

onions were unavailable, wild chives made a handy substitute:

“In the early spring, I remember doing that a lot. I used them a lot before the regular onions were 

ready.” Faye Haff ord

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Snip wild chives instead of pulling out the whole 

plant. Harvesting in this manner will allow the bulb to persist and put out new leaves the following 

year.

Drawing courtesy of USDA-NRCS PLANTS 

Database/Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. 

An illustrated fl ora of the northern United 

States, Canada and the British Possessions. 

Vol. 1: 497.
29

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana Rosaceae

Other Names: Cerisier (French), oluwiminol (Maliseet), lluwiman (Mi’kmaq)

“I know one thing that makes good wine. Th e 

chokecherry...We’ve made wine with chokecherries 

before. Th at’s pretty common around here. My family’s 

done that for a long time.” Frances Plourde

Th e chokecherry is a familiar sight along the edges of 

fi elds and woods in northern Maine. Th e fruit of the 

chokecherry is incredibly tart and astringent, and few 

people enjoy its fl avor raw.

Physical Description: Chokecherry is a small tree, 

reaching heights up to 30 feet. It can reproduce through 

seeds or underground rhizomes and tends to form a thicket. 

Its leaves are egg-shaped and fi nely toothed. Five-petaled white fl owers form in 3- to 6-inch-long 

cylindrical clusters (racemes) at the ends of current-season growth. Th e smooth bark of young 

chokecherry can range in color from reddish-brown to gray. As the tree ages, bark becomes darker 

brown and more furrowed. Like other cherry species, chokecherry bark is covered by long horizontal 

pores called lenticels.

Habitat: Chokecherries tolerate a variety of soil types, and interviewees often found them growing in 

fi eld margins or along rivers and streams.

Uses: Chokecherries are a popular ingredient in homemade wines. Th ey are also used in jellies. 

Medicinally, the juice of the chokecherry is used to treat gout, and the bark is an ingredient in cough 

syrup.

Preparation: Although the fl esh of chokecherry fruit is edible, the pits contain hydrocyanic acid and 

should not be ingested. One interviewee likes to use a tomato seeder to remove pits while extracting 

juice for wine. To avoid musty fl avors caused by the breakdown of the outer skin and pits, another 

experienced winemaker pours hot sugar syrup over the fruit, instead of cooking the fruit itself.

Best Time to Harvest: Harvest ripe fruit (known as drupes) in September, when they turn from red 

to deep purple-black. Harvest bark in the fall after leaves have fallen off the trees.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Leave some fruit for birds and other wildlife. 

Harvest only twigs or branches for bark; do not disturb the main stems.

 Some species information derived from the Web site Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky: Th e Natural 

History of the Northwoods [39].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.

Chokecherries. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
30

Coltsfoot

Tussilago farfara Asteraceae

Other Names: Tussilage (French)

Sometimes, the scientifi c name of a plant gives us clues about 

its uses. Coltsfoot is one such species. “Tussis” is Latin for 

cough (like Robitussin®), and coltsfoot has been a widely 

used folk remedy in Europe for thousands of years. Pliny the 

Elder prescribed inhaling the smoke from dried leaves to treat 

respiratory problems in the fi rst century A.D. An alternative 

name for coltsfoot in parts of Europe is “son before the father,” 

referring to the fact that the bright yellow fl owers come out 

early in the spring and disappear before the leaves emerge.

Physical Description: Coltsfoot is a spreading, rhizomatous 

perennial with large basal leaves and scaly, purplish stems. 

Yellow fl owers around 1 inch in diameter appear in early spring, 

and leaves emerge later in the season. Leaves have long stems, 

are broadly heart shaped, with shallow lobes and a coarsely 

toothed margin. Leaf undersides are hairy and white.

Habitat: Coltsfoot is a native of Europe but has become naturalized in much of North America. 

It spreads aggressively and is considered highly invasive in several New England states. Coltsfoot is 

often found in wet areas, such as ditches along roadsides and trails.

Uses: Th e leaves and fl owers of coltsfoot are used 

medicinally to treat respiratory ailments. A small 

amount of tincture made from dried coltsfoot leaves 

and fl owers is used in cough syrup recipes. Some 

people inhale the smoke of fl owers, which is reputed 

to be helpful in treating asthma, bronchitis, and 

persistent coughs. One interviewee teaches camp 

children a very practical use for coltsfoot: the large, 

wooly leaves make excellent emergency toilet paper.

Preparation: Dry leaves and fl owers of coltsfoot 

before burning or use in tinctures. Fresh or dried 

fl owers may be combined with boiling water to create a medicinal tea.

Best Time to Harvest: Harvest fl owers and stems at the peak of blooming in early spring. Harvest 

leaves later in the spring. Glenda Wysote Labillois off ers this harvesting tip:

“[Some people] will pick the nice green ones, because they look so nice and healthy, but the 

best ones to pick are the ones that have all the black spots on them, because that’s the oil that’s 

surfacing on top, and telling you that it’s ready to be picked.”

Coltsfoot fl owers. Photo by Michelle 

Baumfl ek.

Coltsfoot leaves. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
31

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Coltsfoot spreads aggressively through seed and 

rhizomes. Take care not to introduce plants to sensitive areas where they might establish themselves. 

One interviewee’s experience can serve as a caution:

“I’ve moved some [plants], but I can tell you, the worst plant I did it with was coltsfoot. Because, 

my neighbor had some, and he was going to re-do his whole yard, and I said ‘well, could I have 

a few plants,’ I’ll take all you want”, never realizing how that thing spreads. So, it’s in our lawn, 

and it gets caught in everything, but it just doesn’t go away.”

 Some species information derived from Newcomb’s Wildfl ower Guide [40] and the Burke 

Museum of Natural History and Culture [36].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.
32

Comfrey

Symphytum offi cinale Boraginaceae

Other Names: Knitbone, consoude (French)

Physical Description: Comfrey is a hardy taprooted 

perennial that grows up to 4 feet tall. Leaves are lance-shaped 

and hairy: lower leaves have stalks while upper leaves are 

stalkless. Flowers are tubular and nodding, purple or white.

Habitat: Introduced from Europe, comfrey is commonly 

found around old homesteads and disturbed areas.

Uses: Comfrey leaves are used medicinally to help heal 

bruises, sore muscles, and broken bones. Natalia Bragg uses 

comfrey to treat such ailments as sprained ankles, carpal 

tunnel syndrome, torn ligaments, torn meniscus in the knee, 

whiplash, and tennis elbow.

Preparation: Pots full of fresh leaves are boiled into a tea and added to bathwater. Comfrey-infused 

olive oil is used to create healing salves. Before leaves are infused in oil, they must be fully dried. Wet 

leaves will cause oils to become rancid, and capped jars may burst under pressure. Fresh or dried 

leaves may also be crushed and boiled to make a poultice. Hang leaves to dry in a shaded spot with 

good air circulation.

Best Time to Harvest: Natalia Bragg says that it is possible 

to get two or three harvests of comfrey leaves in a summer 

and recommends harvesting leaves just before fl owers open. 

She explained that the plants will become about 4 feet tall, 

fl op over, and then begin to regrow. Harvest plants after 10 

a.m. to give time for dew to dry off plants.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Comfrey 

is a plant that responds well to cutting. Natalia Bragg makes 

her last comfrey leaf harvest in September, before the frost, 

and then cuts stems down to the ground to promote hearty 

growth the following season.

 Some species information derived from Newcomb’s Wildfl ower Guide [40], Gleason and 

Cronquist’s Manual of Vascular Plants of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada

[35], and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture [36].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.

Comfrey leaves and blossoms. Photo courtesy of 

http://www.digitalnaturalhistory.com

Natalia Bragg with dried comfrey. Photo by Michelle 

Baumfl ek.
33

Cranberry, Highbush

Viburnum opulus var. americanum Caprifoliaceae

Other Names: Crampbark, pimbina, or quatre-saison des bois (French), 

ipiminaks (Maliseet)

“Everybody had their own cranberry bush years 

ago. Every farm had them.” Faye Haff ord

“Th ey smell terrible, but they taste delicious. I 

remember my boss coming in, walking in here 

one day when I was cooking some, he said ‘oh 

my goodness, what’s going on here, it smells like 

heck.’” Faye Haff ord

Th e highbush cranberry is a common shrub 

with a long history of use as a food and medicine 

in northern Maine. While traveling in Maine, 

Th oreau and his companions enjoyed sauces made 

from highbush cranberry and proclaimed “not 

withstanding their seeds, we all three pronounced 

them equal to the common cranberry.” Cooks in logging camps as well as Maine guides would 

administer the bark of the highbush cranberry sweetened with sugar to relieve muscle cramps after 

long days outside. Although the vitamin C-rich fruit superfi cially resembles a true cranberry in 

appearance and taste, highbush cranberry is actually a species of Viburnum from the Honeysuckle 

family.

Physical Description: Highbush cranberry is a deciduous shrub that is 8 to 15 feet tall by 8 to 10 

feet wide. Th e leaves are formed opposite each other on the stem and have three deep lobes, bearing 

a strong resemblance to a maple. Flat-topped clusters of small white fl owers with an outer ring of 

larger, showier blossoms are followed by shiny red fruits that contain a large, fl at white seed.

Habitat: Field margins, moist open woods.

Uses: Berries are a popular wild food. Juice from the berries is also used medicinally to treat high 

blood pressure and urinary tract infections. Th e bark is a powerful antispasmodic used to treat 

muscle cramps.

Preparation: Many people prefer the taste of cooked highbush cranberries, and the fruit is often 

used in jams, jellies, wines, and sauces to accompany meat. Although the berries taste good, they 

smell like dirty socks when cooking. Juice from simmered berries can be used for jelly or canned for 

later use. Th e outer bark peels readily and can be used fresh in a tea or dried for later use in tinctures.

Best Time to Harvest: Look for ripe highbush cranberry fruit from late August to September. Some 

people prefer to harvest the fruit after one frost, but do not wait too long because the fruit will begin 

to ferment. Harvest highbush cranberry bark only when there are no leaves on the shrub—either 

after a fall frost or before leaf out in spring.

Highbush cranberry fruits and leaves in autumn. Photo by 

Michelle Baumfl ek.
34

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: When 

harvesting the fruit, leave some for the animals. Many 

types of wildlife including bears, partridge, and other 

bird species depend on highbush cranberries as a source 

of fall sustenance. People we spoke with recommend 

leaving at least half of the fruit on any given bush 

for wildlife. One interviewee likes to leave the lowest 

hanging fruit, making it more accessible for wildlife. If 

you are collecting bark, choose to cut twigs that do not 

support a berry bracket instead of harvesting bark off 

the main stem.

 Some species information derived from the 

University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s 

Highbush Cranberry Fact Sheet [41], and Henry 

David Th oreau’s Th e Maine Woods [42].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.

Highbush cranberry bark drying. Photo by 

Michelle Baumfl ek.
35

Dandelion

Taraxacum offi cinale Asteraceae

Other Names: Pissenlit (French), pomuhse-imiyamkewey (Maliseet)

“Dandelion greens, you have to pick those before the 

fl ower comes out, or they’ll be bitter.” Faye Haff ord

Dandelions are a plant that people love to hate. Each 

year, many hours are spent trying to eradicate the 

ubiquitous fl ower from lawns and gardens across the 

United States, often to no avail. Dandelions are tough. 

Dandelion greens are also a nutritious spring green 

in northern Maine. In the early 20th century, when 

obtaining fresh produce involved much more than a trip 

to the grocery store, dandelion greens were a vital part of 

people’s diets.

Physical Description: Familiar yellow fl owers, 1 to 2 

inches in diameter, supported by a smooth, hollow stalk. 

Leaves are deeply cleft and pointed at the tip.

Habitat: Dandelions are common inhabitants of lawns 

and old fi elds.

Uses: Young dandelion leaves are eaten as a spring green. Dandelion fl owers are also used to make 

homemade wine. Dandelion leaves are a diuretic, giving them their French name, which can be 

translated into English as bed wet.

Preparation: Wash greens thoroughly. Several interviewees mentioned that dandelion greens get full 

of dirt and can be hard to clean. Greens can be eaten raw or cooked.

Best Time to Harvest: Harvest greens in the 

early spring while the leaves are still small and 

tender, preferably before the fl ower comes out.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/

Management: Avoid harvesting dandelions 

from areas that have been frequented by dogs 

or have been treated with herbicides or other 

chemicals.

Dandelion leaves. Photo by Catherine Herms, The Ohio 

State University. forestryimages.org

Dandelion blossom. Photo by Michelle 

Baumfl ek.
36

Dogwood, Red-Osier

Cornus sericea Cornaceae

Other Names: Red willow, Osier rouge (French), nepskihhkamq (Maliseet)

Red-osier dogwood is another species that often gets a 

bad rap. Because it is thought of as weedy, many people 

spend hours trying to eradicate dogwood shrubs from their 

fi elds. However, these shrubs have important spiritual, 

medicinal, and craft values for residents of northern Maine. 

Easily recognizable in the winter due to its bright red twigs, 

dogwood grows in abundance in the St. John River watershed.

Physical Description: Red-osier dogwood is a woody, 

thicket-forming shrub that grows 3 to 9 feet tall. Mowing 

of old fi elds often keeps dogwood much shorter. Stems are 

smooth and bright red from fall through mid-spring, turning 

green in the summer. Simple leaves have smooth margins, 

false parallel venation, and hairy, light-colored undersides. Like most other members of the Dogwood 

family, leaves are arranged oppositely on stems. Clusters of small, cream-colored fl owers appear in late 

spring and are followed by white berries.

Habitat: Old fi elds, roadsides, wet areas.

Uses: Red-osier dogwood twigs are used to make wreaths and 

baskets. Dogwood is also of particular signifi cance to Native 

American gatherers, who use the bark in ceremonial tobacco.

Preparation: Pliable, freshly cut twigs are used for wreaths. Bark 

readily peels off of dried stems and must be further dried before use.

Best Time to Harvest: In the spring 

before leaves come out and in the fall after leaves have been shed.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Do not harvest too many 

stems from one plant. Red-osier dogwood grows back readily and heavy 

pruning stimulates the growth of new, vibrantly colored, straight twigs. 

As with other plants, Maliseet and Mi’kmaq gatherers off er thanks before 

harvesting dogwood:

“When you go out to cut it [dogwood], there’s a ceremony to do that, so you 

always have to make an off ering and say a prayer before you harvest it."

 Some species information derived from the USDA-NRCS PLANTS 

Database [38].

Red-osier dogwood in spring. Photo by Michelle 

Baumfl ek.

A weathered wreath made from red-osier 

dogwood twigs. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Red-osier dogwood's bright twigs 

add color to early spring landscapes. 

Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
37

Fiddleheads

Matteuccia struthiopteris Dryopteridaceae

Other Names: Ostrich fern, fougere (French), mahsusiyil (Maliseet), ma’susi, 

(Mi’kmaq)

If we had to choose a single NTFP species that defi ned northern 

Maine, fi ddleheads would be it. Fiddleheads are the emerging 

fronds of the ostrich fern and are gathered and eaten by the 

bucketful. In our study, fi ddleheads were collected by the greatest 

number of gatherers. Evidence of their widespread popularity 

becomes obvious each spring, as supermarket and roadside signs 

pop up, advertising fi ddleheads for sale. Fiddleheads are gathered 

for personal use throughout the year and make an important 

contribution to the diets and food security of northern Maine 

families (a family is food secure when its members do not suff er 

from hunger or nutritionally related diseases because of an inability 

to obtain suffi cient calories and nutrients). Th e sale of fi ddleheads 

also provides a vital source of seasonal income for local residents.

Physical Description: Fiddleheads emerge in tight clumps. 

Th e coiled fi ddleheads are smooth green, not hairy, and 

sometimes surrounded by a brown husk. One way to identify 

ostrich ferns is to cut the stem and look at a cross section. 

It should be shaped like a horseshoe or U. Fiddleheads 

eventually unfurl into feathery-looking fronds, hence the 

name “ostrich fern.” Th ese fronds can be up to 5 feet long, 

are doubly segmented, and form a distinctive vase shape. A 

distinguishing characteristic of the ostrich fern is the shorter, 

reproductive frond that emerges from the center of the clump 

and turns dark brown when mature.

Habitat: Fiddleheads are commonly found in moist soils 

along the banks of rivers and streams.

Uses: People in 

northern Maine 

eat fi ddleheads and often preserve them by freezing or 

canning for use throughout the year. Popular cooking 

methods include boiling, sautéing, and pickling. 

Fiddleheads are a culturally signifi cant food for the 

Mi’kmaqs and Maliseets of northern Maine, and they 

are often included in ceremonial feasts. In addition, 

fi ddleheads are a popular design motif for regalia such 

as moccasins and dresses, as well as regional crafts.

Fiddleheads. Photo used with permission by 

Sharron Emrich.

Unfurled ostrich ferns. Photo by Michelle 

Baumfl ek.

Fiddleheads for sale in a Presque Isle supermarket. 

Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
38

Preparation: Fiddleheads should be blanched before freezing. One enthusiastic gatherer off ers this 

tip for removing the brown husks from fi ddleheads:

“You want to get them as dry as possible, and shake them out in a screen basket... Wait till you 

get them when they’re dried out good, put them in that and shake them, and the husks just fl y off . 

Shake them all out. Don’t try to soak them and wash them off , you’ll be forever trying to wash 

them off in water.”

Best Time to Harvest: Mid-May to mid-June. Harvest 

tight fi ddleheads that have not yet unfurled. Th e arrival 

time of fi ddleheads changes from year to year and is 

dependent on several factors. Drier, upland areas may 

see the emergence of fi ddleheads signifi cantly earlier 

than cooler lowland spots. In addition, fi ddleheads will 

not emerge until rivers and streams recede, so a late 

snow melt may delay their appearance. Edford Plourde 

of Eagle Lake shares this advice:

“It all depends on where you go. Sometimes the river, 

the water’s way high. Th e water’s got to recede before 

they come out, and it all depends on the year.”

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Fiddleheads are abundant in northern Maine, 

and nobody that we spoke with was concerned about their continued availability. However, people 

who collect fi ddleheads have practices that ensure a sustainable harvest. People do not take all of the 

emerging fi ddleheads from an individual plant (known as a “crown”), cutting just a few from each 

crown and leaving the rest. If at all possible, when fi ddleheads are on a hillside or sloped bank, start 

low and work your way up to reduce wear on delicate soils. Many people, especially those who collect 

fi ddleheads for sale, are quite secretive about the exact locations they visit. One interviewee who 

gathers fi ddleheads strictly for personal use described transplanting ferns and managing their habitat 

to increase their availability:

“I’ve also transplanted some fi ddleheads around my pond that I 

have here, so I have extra as well. I fi nd that I’m able to disperse 

them sometimes better than they’re able to disperse themselves. I 

also use some brush-cutting of alders to encourage the fi ddleheads. 

I fi nd that if the alders become too dense, and come with the 

balm-of-Gilead trees, or the balsam poplars then you lose the 

fi ddleheads. So I have about a two acre area, and I probably 

harvest 60 gallons of fi ddleheads a year.”

 Some species information derived from the Missouri 

Botanical Garden’s online Plant Finder [43] and the Web site 

Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky: Th e Natural History of the 

Northwoods [39].

Many people sell clean fi ddleheads on the side of the 

road. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

A second wave of fi ddleheads emerges next to 

fi ddleheads that have already been cut. Photo by 

Michelle Baumfl ek.
39

Fir, Balsam

Abies balsamea Pinaceae

Other Names: Sapin (French), puhpukawihqimus (Maliseet)

“We always made the Christmas wreaths, 

with the balsam fi r. And we harvest an 

awful lot of them. We’ve been doing it since 

we were children. My mother did it when she 

was young. Her brother did that, helped with 

Christmas time. So, we just carried on the 

tradition. It’s a three generation tradition.”

Th e smell of balsam fi r needles is enough 

to evoke images of the northern Maine 

woods. Many of the forests of the St. John 

River watershed are comprised of naturally 

occurring spruce-fi r forests. Large landowners 

sometimes suppress the growth of broad-leaf trees in favor of softwood stands, increasing the 

amount of fi r available for sawtimber and pulpwood. Besides being an important source of wood 

products, the balsam fi r is a versatile tree that has many craft, utilitarian, and medicinal uses. 

Historically, fi r resin was valued for its medicinal properties among Acadian residents of the St. 

John River watershed and was ingested to treat kidney ailments. Resin blisters would be carefully 

harvested and placed on sheets of wax paper that could be refrigerated until they were needed. 

Loggers would also use fi r resin topically to treat gonorrhea. Although not as big a business as in 

Washington County (Downeast Maine), wreathmaking is an important small-scale industry in the 

St. John River watershed. For the 2 months leading up to Christmas, business owners hire seasonal 

employees to harvest and process fi r boughs into wreaths that will be shipped all across the country.

Physical Description: Balsam fi r is a small to medium tree with a spire-like form that can reach up 

to 80 feet in height. Needles are 3⁄4 to 1 inch long, fl at to curved, with a shiny dark green top and 

silvery underside. Balsam fi r bark is smooth and gray, characterized by the presence of numerous 

blisters that contain a strongly scented, sticky resin. Purplish-green cones range from 2 to 4 inches 

long and stand upright on branches. Because of its thin bark and shallow root system, balsam fi r is 

particularly susceptible to being killed by fi res.

Habitat: Balsam fi r can be found on a variety of soil types 

and textures. It does best in cool, moist areas with a pH of 4 

to 6. However, very wet summers may negatively aff ect the 

color of needles and make trees more susceptible to fungal 

diseases in the fall. Many people we spoke with thought 

that the quality of balsam boughs from the St. John River 

watershed diff ered from boughs harvested in Downeast 

Maine. Some thought it was because Downeast fi r grows in 

a more favorable soil with a slightly diff erent pH.

Balsam fi r boughs. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Balsam fi r stand. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
40

Uses: Fir boughs are often collected and processed into wreaths 

and decorative swags at Christmas time. Boughs of lesser 

aesthetic quality are sometimes collected after precommercial 

thinning and sold to companies that extract essential oils for 

cosmetics. Th e resin of balsam fi r, which is often found in 

blisters on tree trunks, has antiseptic and analgesic qualities and 

can keep small wounds from festering. Fir resin is also collected 

by individuals for sale to Canadian companies for use as 

turpentine and optical slide mounts. Fir needles are delightfully 

aromatic and are often used in potpourri or as a fi lling for small 

scented pillows. One interviewee we spoke with likes to place 

fresh fi r needles into a pot of water on his woodstove to release 

the pleasant woodland scent while humidifying his house. Another interviewee uses small balsam fi r 

limbs to create sturdy hooks around his barn and at campsites.

Preparation: Once boughs are harvested, they are cut into smaller pieces and stacked into small 

bundles that are attached to wreath forms. Resin can be applied directly onto skin or can be 

refrigerated for future use.

Best Time to Harvest: Balsam boughs are harvested for wreathmaking in November and December. Don’t keep boughs inside for 

too long, otherwise they will dry out. Balsam fi r gatherers keep an eye 

out for bough and needle deformities caused by gall midge, balsam 

twig aphids, and needlecast. Resin can be harvested any time of the 

year, but is easier to obtain from blisters when they are not frozen.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Gather balsam fi r 

boughs only after the tree goes dormant and needles have frozen or 

“set” to branches. In northern Maine, this usually occurs by early to 

mid-November. Never harvest more than one-third of the live limbs 

on fi r trees—needles are needed in photosynthesis and provide energy 

that keeps the trees alive.

Balsam fi r boughs are one of the few NTFPs that many large 

landowners require a permit and fee to harvest. In fact, some industrial landowners do not allow 

any “tipping,” or gathering of fi r boughs on their lands, because they feel it compromises their 

management. One resin harvester we spoke with mentioned that some landowners are concerned that 

popping blisters hurts the trees, but she has been collecting from the same areas for almost 30 years 

and has not seen any tree damage as a result of her activities.

 Some species information derived from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute’s Non-Timber Forest 

Products Web site [44], the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database [38], and the University of Maine 

Cooperative Extension’s Balsam Fir Tip Gathering pamphlet [45].

Balsam fi r wreath. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Judy Sherman making wreaths in 

Oxbow, Maine. Photo by Michelle 

Baumfl ek.
41

Flag Root

Acorus calamus Acoraceae

Other Names: Sweet fl ag, calamus, muskrat root, rat musque (French), 

kiwhosuwasq (Maliseet), kighaswes (Mi’kmaq), ki’kasuwasw (Mi’kmaq)

Flag root is a medicinal plant with a history of use that spans several continents and 

millennia. A culturally important species in northern Maine, fl ag root is commonly 

harvested each fall by Maliseet and Mi’kmaq gatherers, as well as some French Acadians.

Physical Description: Flag root is a perennial, rhizomatous herb. Long, sword-shaped 

leaves resemble an iris, usually have an off -center midvein, and can grow up to 5 feet 

long. Small yellow-green fl owers appear from May to July, densely clustered on a spadix 

(a spike covered in tiny fl owers). Flag root plants are supported by thick rhizomes, found 

just under the soil. One Mi’kmaq gatherer shares his experience harvesting fl ag root:

“It grows, the roots, just under the ground. And just a little soil on top of them to make 

them diffi cult to pull out. Now, when you’re pulling out one root, it’s got probably six 

roots on top of it from diff erent angles.”

Habitat: Flag root is found in wet soils, marshes, and around ponds and riverbanks. A Mi’kmaq 

woman describes fl ag root’s surroundings, as well as signs of wildlife she has noticed while harvesting:

“Yeah, where there’s mud, and that’s where you’ve got to go and get it. But it’s amazing to pick 

and smell the freshness of it, and then you wash it, and there’s footprints of the moose around, 

because it’s what they eat.”

Uses: Th e rhizome of fl ag root is used medicinally to treat colds, sore throats, and other ailments. Th e 

rhizome is quite potent, so a small amount (~ 6 inches) is enough for an entire season.

Preparation: Small pieces of the fresh or dried rhizome can be chewed on or made into a tea. Note: 

Because they are strong, fresh rhizomes should be dried for several days before use.

Best Time to Harvest: In the fall, after the fi rst frost.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Flag root is a very important and sacred medicine 

to Native American gatherers and should be treated with respect. Special care must be taken when 

harvesting, because wet areas are particularly vulnerable to disturbance and compaction. Harvest in 

extreme moderation – harvesting rhizomes can kill a plant, and only very small amounts are needed. 

Replant small rootlets to promote plant regeneration. In the words of another experienced gatherer:

“You try to put the root back to let it, so that it will grow again next year.”

 Some species information derived from the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database [38].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.

Flag root. Photograph by 

Tony Bush, Rose Lake 

Plants Materials Center, 

East Lansing, Michigan.
42

Fungi: Spotlight on Mushrooms

Mushrooms are not traditionally collected and eaten in northern Maine. Most people we spoke 

with demonstrated a healthy fear of collecting edible mushrooms, because they were skeptical of 

their knowledge and ability to make a safe, positive identifi cation. Th is is not surprising: in many 

cultures, fungi are shrouded in mystery, and for people who did not grow up eating wild mushrooms, 

collecting them can be a daunting idea.

Despite a general fear of mushrooms, we did meet several people who collect them for food, medicine, 

and crafts. People we spoke with favored easily identifi able, choice edible species such as chanterelles, 

morels, and bear’s head fungus. Th e creamy white underside of Ganoderma applanatum, the artists 

conk, provides a canvas for rustic drawings and carvings. One woman we spoke with also used boletes, 

chanterelles, and chicken of the woods to produce brilliant yellow and orange dyes for coloring wool.

Fungi vs. Mushrooms: What’s the diff erence?

The terms “fungi” and “mushrooms” are often used interchangeably. 

This is partially correct. Mushrooms are actually the spore-producing 

fruiting bodies of certain fungus species. Mushrooms are found growing 

on dead or decaying trees, as well as emerging from the forest fl oor. 

What we see above ground is only part of the story. The fungal structures 

that produce mushrooms, known as mycelia, are often concealed under 

the forest fl oor or in decaying wood. Fungi play vital roles in forest 

ecosystems by breaking down organic matter and cycling nutrients.

Look for mushrooms in the spring and fall, especially after periods of rain.

Morel. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek. Chanterelle mushrooms. Photo by 

Marla Emery.

Blanket woven from wool dyed with mushrooms. 

Photo by Marla Emery.
43

Goldthread

Coptis trifolia Ranunculaceae

Other Names: Goldenthread, yellow root, savoyanne (French), wisawkeskil 

(Maliseet), mali’japa’qawey (Mi’kmaq)

“Ok, you’ve got a lot of trouble, let’s say it’s 

in your mouth, and you’ve got the blisters 

or stuff inside your mouth. You’ve got the 

yellowroot. You take the roots out, you wash 

‘em, you chew that.” Edford Plourde

Goldthread is a medicinal plant that has long 

been important to Native American and Acadian 

gatherers. Th e plant’s common name refers to 

its bright yellow rhizomes that are found just 

beneath the surface of the forest fl oor.

Physical Description: Goldthread is a lowgrowing perennial herb. Th ree-part leaves 

resemble wild strawberry, but are evergreen and glossy. Solitary, white fl owers are 1⁄2 inch wide 

with fi ve to seven petals, appearing in the spring. Shallow rhizomes are slender and bright yellow.

Habitat: Goldthread is found in cool, moist, mossy forests, swamps, and bogs, usually under 

conifer trees. Interviewees we spoke with associated goldthread with cedar, spruce, and pine.

 “Th ey’re usually by cedar trees, you fi nd them, you got to dig down a little deep sometimes, not 

that much, they’re usually pretty well within the surface.” Colleen Gauvin

Uses: Goldthread rhizome (commonly referred to as the root) is used medicinally to treat a variety 

of ailments. Several people we interviewed found goldthread to be particularly eff ective in treating 

sores and ulcers of the mouth.

Preparation: Some people chew the root of goldthread raw, while others drink it in a tea form. 

Th e root may be dried for later use. Goldthread is very potent, so only a very small amount is 

needed.

“You just need a little piece of it, maybe just an inch or two. It’s strong, so you don’t need 

much, and you steep it in boiling water for maybe fi ve, ten minutes, and then you drink it 

slowly, you rinse it in the mouth, and then you can swallow it, because if you have ulcers 

somewhere in your mouth, that means you must have some in the throat and maybe some 

in the esophagus also. So, you drink it up and it heals really fast. Yeah, it’s really good.” 

Gene Nadeau

Best Time to Harvest: Some gatherers prefer to harvest in the spring, when the fl owering plant is 

easily identifi ed, while others wait until fall.

Goldthread leaf and exposed roots. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
44

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Goldthread is sensitive to changes in canopy cover, 

and its shallow rhizomes may be aff ected by soil compaction. Choose harvesting locations that have a 

healthy population of goldthread; do not harvest rhizomes if only one plant is present. Harvest small 

amounts: rhizomes are very potent, so only a small amount is needed to be eff ective. After harvesting 

rhizomes, make sure to lightly cover the area with the original soil and moss.

 Some species information derived from Gleason and Cronquist’s Manual of Vascular Plants of 

the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada [35] and Newcomb’s Wildfl ower Guide 

[40].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.
45

Hazelnut, Beaked

Corylus cornuta Betualceae

Other Names: Noisetier (French), malipokansimus (Maliseet), malipqwanj 

(Mi’kmaq)

“Hazelnuts are a very unique little cottage industry 

throughout all the St John Valley. Many of the 

people would go, and they would gather hazelnuts, 

and then they would put them beside the road 

in jars, which were of course leftover jelly jars, or 

whatever, and they would sell hazelnuts through 

the late summer, early fall. And that still occurs.” 

Tim Scott

“With hazelnuts, you’re fi ghting the squirrels, and 

there are so many squirrels now, it’s a hard fi ght.” 

Vern Labbe

Beaked hazelnut is an important source of 

nutrition for wildlife and humans alike. Many northern Mainers like the taste of them so much 

that they go to great lengths to collect some nuts before animals lay claim to the entire crop. While 

many people gather hazelnuts for their personal use, hazelnuts also provide supplemental income to 

residents who sell cleaned nuts on roadsides.

Physical Description: Beaked hazelnut is a thicket-forming shrub reaching heights of 12 to 15 

feet. Th e twigs are light brown, and current-year growth is covered in long hairs. Rounded leaves 

have a heart-shaped base and doubly serrate margin, and they terminate in a pointed tip. Both male 

fl owers (catkins) and female fl owers appear on the same plant. Female fl owers are located at branch 

tips and are pollinated in early spring. Nuts follow later in the season, in clusters of two and three. 

Th e common name “beaked hazelnut” comes from the two long, green, tubular bracts that cover 

maturing nuts. One interviewee described the appearance of bract-covered nuts as “Hershey Kisslike.”

Habitat: Open woodlands, roadsides, forest edges, around railroad tracks. While they can tolerate 

shade, hazelnuts need light to fl ourish and produce nuts. In the words of one interviewee:

“Hazelnuts need an open canopy. Essentially they need some light, more than is normal. So, they 

would be very few and far between in a climax forest. My forest works great for them because I 

keep it [open], you know, it’s a working forest.”

Uses: Beaked hazelnut is collected and eaten by many northern Maine residents in the fall.

Preparation: Extracting hazelnuts from their casings can be a challenge. Nuts are covered in green, 

prickly bracts that exude a sticky liquid when crushed. Several interviewees recommend waiting 

Beaked hazelnut leaves. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
46

until the outside begins to turn brown, because nuts will peel more easily. Faye Haff ord recalls the 

way that many people get hazelnuts out of their shells:

“Ordinarily, what they do is they put them in a sack and pound them against a rock or something 

‘til they get, a lot of that stuff comes off of it Th at casing on the outside that’s green? It has a juice 

in it, and also, it’s kind of got little thistles, I don’t know what it is, but it goes in your hand, it’s 

hard on your fi ngers, and when you get done, your fi ngers are black. You better use gloves. But 

that’s what they do, they pound them, hit it and that stuff loosens up and comes off easier.”

Another interviewee off ered an alternative method 

to extract hazelnuts: 

“Th e proper way to open [hazelnuts] is on the 

pointed end, with a pocket knife, you cut off that 

little pointed end until you just expose the nut meat 

inside, and put your knife point into that and twist 

it, and it will pop open in half, and you’ll get the 

nut meat out whole.”

Once the nuts are out, many people we spoke with 

like to salt and roast them before eating.

Best Time to Harvest: Hazelnuts produce mast cyclically, and interviewees felt that they produced 

more dependably than beech trees. Hazelnuts become ripe in late August through September. Th e 

main challenge in harvesting hazelnuts is getting to them before squirrels and other animals do. To 

avoid this losing battle, some gatherers choose to harvest hazelnuts a week early, because they will 

ripen off the bush. Others prefer to wait to harvest until after a frost because they think the hazelnuts 

taste sweeter.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Harvest in moderation: beaked hazelnuts are high 

in fat and protein, making them an important source of food for squirrels, chipmunks, and various 

bird species.

Beaked hazelnut fruits. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
47

Maple, Sugar

Acer saccharum Aceraceae

Other Names: Érable à sucre (French), malsonaw (Maliseet), snawey (Mi’kmaq)

Maple syrup is a Maine institution. It is also one of the 

most commonly used NTFPs in New England. During 

the 2009 season, Maine sugarmakers produced a record 

395,000 gallons of syrup, making the State the second largest 

syrup producer in the United States. In the St. John River 

watershed, producing maple syrup is a sweet tradition that 

contributes to the economy from household to regional 

levels. Many residents have small sugarbushes of fewer than 

100 trees and make syrup to use and to give away as gifts. 

Forest landowners in the western part of the watershed lease 

sugarbushes to commercial syrup manufacturers. Th ese 

industrial operations can be quite large—up to 80,000 taps.

Physical Description: Sugar maple trees can reach a height of 100 feet. Young trees typically have 

dark gray bark, which develops long, vertical plates as the tree matures. As with all maples, branches 

and buds are arranged oppositely. Deep green leaves have smooth margins and are usually fi ve-lobed. 

Connections between the lobes have a characteristic “U” shape, which helps to distinguish them 

from the “V” shaped connections of red maple (Acer rubrum). Long, drooping, yellow-green fl owers 

are followed by the appearance of fruit: familiar double-winged samaras that turn papery and brown 

when they mature in the fall.

Habitat: In northern Maine, sugar maple is a common co-dominant 

species in mixed stands that include beech and red spruce. It may also 

be the predominant species within a stand. Although sugar maples can 

grow in a variety of soil types and tolerate a range of acidity, a deep, 

rich, well-drained soil is best for sap production.

Uses: Th e sap of sugar maple is used to make syrup. Sugar maple 

timber is highly valued as well, but as one northern Maine Parks and 

Lands manager describes, the two uses do not complement each other:

“You’ve got to make a choice. Either you’re going to do syrup, or 

you’re going to do timber. Th e two don’t go well together, because you 

degrade the logs so bad with the tapping.”

Preparation: Sap is collected and boiled down to create maple syrup, 

sugar, and cream. Th e traditional method of collecting sap in buckets 

is still used by home enthusiasts, but larger scale operations attach taps 

directly to plastic tubes, which run into a central collection tank. Th is 

method minimizes contamination of sap through bacterial growth. Although the sugar content of sap 

varies, it generally takes 40 to 45 gallons of sap to produce 1 gallon of syrup.

Sugar maple leaf. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Sugar maple tree. Photo by Michelle 

Baumfl ek.
48

Best Time to Harvest: Late winter to early 

spring. Maple sap fl ow is optimal during 

periods of cold nights and warm days. Th e 

timing, duration, and yield of a harvesting 

season vary from year to year.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/

Management: Maple sap transports sugar and 

nutrients, allowing the tree to produce leaves 

and grow. Overtapping will stress individual 

trees. Th e University of Maine Cooperative 

Extension off ers the following suggestions for 

sustainable sap gathering: tap only trees that 

are larger than 10 inches in diameter at breast 

height (4.5 feet above the ground). Th e number of taps per tree should never exceed three. Trees 

with a diameter of 10 to 20 inches should have only one tap, trees 20 to 25 inches in diameter may 

have two, and trees greater than 25 inches may have three.

Some species information derived from the Sugar Maple chapter of Silvics of North America [34], 

the Sugar Maple chapter of Forest Trees of the Northeast [46], maple syrup reports from the 

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service [47], and tapping information from the University of 

Maine Cooperative Extension [48].

Maple syrup bucket. Photo by Oven Fresh. commons.

wikimedia.org
49

Pearly Everlasting

Anaphalis margaritacea Asteraceae

Other Names: Wild mountain sage, immortelle (French), tomawey (Maliseet, 

meaning “tobacco”)

Th e common name “pearly everlasting” 

refers to the plant’s dry, papery fl owers 

that remain fresh-looking indefi nitely.

Although not a true sagebrush of the 

genus Artemisia, pearly everlasting is 

often used as a local substitute for sage 

varieties that are found only in the 

western United States.

Physical Description: Pearly everlasting 

grows up to 3 feet high. Leaves are 

narrow and lance-shaped, with a white, 

wooly underside. Stems are also wooly. 

In the summer, small fl owers consisting of dry, pearly white bracts with yellow centers appear in 

slightly fl attened clusters.

Habitat: Roadsides, gravel pits, and other dry, sandy areas.

Uses: Maliseet and Mi’kmaq gatherers use pearly everlasting as a substitute for sage and for other 

ceremonial purposes.

Preparation: Leaves are dried before use.

Best Time to Harvest: Collect plants in the fall, before leaves wither.

Pearly everlasting. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
50

Pine species

Pinus spp. Pinaceae

Representative species: White pine (Pinus strobus), red pine (Pinus 

resinosa)

Other Names: Pin (French), kuwes (white pine in Maliseet), kuwow (Mi’kmaq)

“If you can’t fi nd resin, wait for the pine candles to 

come out...When the leaves come out, around the fi rst 

of June, the base of every needle will have a resin dot. It 

is a fl uid and sticky dot, which you can fi nd only on the 

new growth.” Natalia Bragg

“Any of the pines that produce the round cones, people 

search those out...When [people] used to [work in] hand 

crews, they’d hear from their husband or their dad about 

‘oh, you should see these trees we’re cutting, they’re full of 

cones.’ Well, they’re on the ground. People would go in 

and bring burlap bags and collect cones.” Vern Labbe

Maine’s nickname is the Pine Tree State. Although white and red pines are more abundant in the 

southern part of the State, they grow in the forests of the St. John River watershed, too. White pine 

is the largest conifer native to the northeastern United States, attaining heights of 150 feet or more. 

Th e white pines’ great size and straight growth habit made them a desirable timber for ship masts. In 

fact, in 1691, a policy decreed that white pines greater than 24 inches in diameter and within 3 miles 

of a river were the property of the King of England. Trees fi tting this description were blazed with the 

mark of the “Broad Arrow” and reserved for use as masts in the British Royal Navy.

Physical Description: Pines are coniferous trees that grow in distinctive whorls. Pine needles vary 

in length and are clustered together in sheaths called fascicles. White pine grows up to 150 feet tall 

and has fi ve long, fl exible needles per fascicle that grow on limber 

branches. Bark is thick, dark, and deeply ridged. Cones are 

unarmed, long, and smooth. Red pine trees attain heights of 90 

feet and have two rigid needles per fascicle that snap when bent; 

reddish, scaly bark; and short, unarmed, rounded cones.

Habitat: Pines are emergent species that do not tolerate heavy 

shade (although white pine can handle shadier habitat than 

red pine). White pines grow best on well-drained soils and can 

tolerate a variety of soil types, from sandy areas to rocky substrate 

such as eskers. Red pines are a popular plantation species. Th ey 

are extremely cold tolerant and prefer well- drained soils. Red 

pines thrive in sandy areas of poor soil fertility. A variety of 

other pine species, including Mugo pine, are also planted around 

cemeteries, malls, and golf courses, which provide easily accessible 

places to collect cones.

Red pine needles. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

White pine cone. Photo by Keith Kanoti, 

Maine Forest Service, Bugwood.org
51

Uses: Pine resin is antibacterial, antifungal, 

and used medicinally as an ingredient in fi rst 

aid salves. Th e cones of many pine species are 

collected and used in crafts such as Christmas 

wreaths. Pine cones are also collected for seed, 

which is sold to nurseries.

Preparation: Resin or pine candles can be 

melted into warm oil and then strained to 

create the base for topical salves.

Best Time to Harvest: Both pine resin and 

pine cones may be harvested year-round. 

Resin is easier to collect in the winter, when 

frozen clumps can be found in the snow 

near the base of pine trees or may be knocked off tree trunks. Resin may also be harvested from pine 

candles, the emerging year’s growth, around the beginning of June. Although pine species share 

medicinal qualities, Natalia Bragg has found that red pine has more resin than other species such as 

white pine. Perhaps the abundance of resin is why the scientifi c name of red pine is Pinus resinosa.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: If collecting resin, do not harvest too many pine 

candles off any one tree. Th e candles are shoots of new growth.

 Some species information derived from Gleason and Cronquist’s Manual of Vascular Plants of 

the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada [35], Silvics of North America [34], the 

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database [38], and Forest Trees of Maine, Centennial edition 1908-2008 

[32].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.

Rose Tomah displays a Christmas tree she created out of pine 

cones. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
52

Plantain, Common

Plantago major Plantaginaceae

Other Names: Plantain (French), sekotepokahtek (Maliseet)

Many people consider plantain an annoying 

weed—with good reason. It grows prolifi cally 

in lawns and other residential areas and is 

hard to remove once it becomes established. 

However, plantain has another side that most 

people are less familiar with: it has been valued 

as a medicinal plant for centuries. In fact, 

plantain was introduced to the United States by 

European settlers specifi cally because of its healing 

properties.

Physical Description: A low-growing plant, 

plantain leaves form basal rosettes. Leaves are 

broadly oval-shaped, deeply ribbed, and grow up to 8 inches long and 4 inches wide. Leaf stems are 

green at the base. In the summer, a slender fl owering stalk emerges from the center of the rosette of 

leaves. Whitish-green fl owers appear at the tip of the stalk in a dense spike, which later mature into 

seedpods.

Habitat: Plantain is commonly found in lawns, driveways, and along roads, sidewalks, and railroad 

tracks.

Uses: Plantain leaves are used to treat cuts 

and scrapes. Known for their drawing 

ability, the leaves are also helpful on insect 

stings and bites. Th e coatings of plantain 

seeds, known as psyllium husks, are high 

in fi ber and make an eff ective and popular 

laxative.

Preparation: Fresh leaves may be crushed 

and applied directly to aff ected areas. 

Dried leaves are infused in olive oil, which 

can then be incorporated into salves. One 

interviewee told us about a creative solution 

that allows her to have access to plantain 

leaves year- round:

“Plantain, I [use] for swelling and things like that. I freeze them in my freezer. Put plastic 

between them and freeze them for the winter. You never know when you are going to need them, 

if somebody gets a sprain or something like that.” Colleen Labillois

Plantain leaves. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Plantain fruits. Photo by Ken Chamberlain, The Ohio State 

University, Bugwood.org
53

Best Time to Harvest: Leaves may be harvested from spring to fall, although some people believe 

the leaves are at their most potent after the fl owering stalks appear. Psyllium husks are harvested 

after seeds mature and turn somewhat brown. One interviewee describes her two-season harvest of 

plantain:

“I’ll pick in the summertime to get the leaves and later in the fall to pick the psyllium husks.”

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Plantain is abundant in most areas. When 

harvesting, avoid areas that have been treated with chemicals or that get runoff from roads.

 Some species information derived from Gleason and Cronquist’s Manual of Vascular Plants of 

the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada [35] and Newcomb’s Wildfl ower Guide

[40].

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.
54

Raspberry, Red

Rubus idaeus Rosaceae

Other Names: Framboisier (French), minsossok (Maliseet), klitaq (Mi’kmaq)

“All the places where they cut lumber, 

about two years afterwards, and all those 

roads, those are great for raspberrying, 

really great.” Faye Haff ord

Second in popularity only to fi ddleheads 

in our study, raspberries are one of the 

most commonly gathered nontimber 

forest products in northern Maine. Often 

one of the fi rst species to regenerate after 

a disturbance, raspberries are plentiful 

across the working landscape of the St. 

John River watershed.

Physical Description: Red raspberry is a familiar shrub with arching, prickle-covered stems that 

grow up to 6 feet high. Young stems are covered in bristles rather than thorns. Th e leaves are made 

up of three to fi ve oval leafl ets with serrated margins and light gray, hairy undersides. Flowers 

are 1⁄2 inch wide, white or greenish white, and appear individually or in small clusters. Th e easily 

recognizable fruit is 3⁄4 inch long, red, and rounded.

Habitat: Raspberries are often found in forest clearings and edges, disturbed areas, riverbanks, 

roadsides, and old fi elds. Th ey can tolerate a variety of soil moisture and pH levels, but need ample 

light to thrive. While many forest management strategies result in raspberry regeneration, the 

selective harvesting practices of certain large forest landowners do not provide enough light to create 

good raspberry habitat. In the words of one land manager:

“To get raspberries, you’ve got to do pretty heavy cuts, and we don’t do many heavy cuts. So we’re 

not getting raspberries in our cuts, but not like, ‘wow, what a good place to go pick berries.’”

Uses: An extremely popular wild food, raspberries are also a prized ingredient in homemade wines. 

Th e leaf of raspberry is used medicinally to treat colds and women’s health concerns. Raspberries are 

also used to create a pinkish-red dye that is used to color brown ash splints for baskets.

Preparation: Raspberries are often eaten fresh or made into jams and jellies. Raspberry leaf can be 

used fresh or dried in teas and is dried for use in tinctures.

Best Time to Harvest: Look for raspberries starting in July. A drier year will produce fruit with more 

concentrated fl avor than a very wet year.

Raspberries. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
55

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Although raspberries are often plentiful, it 

is important to consider the wildlife that depends on this wild food source. Many people we 

interviewed, such as Sue Young, share these sentiments:

“I always make sure that I leave more than enough...I’ve always been really tied to the animal 

world, so I make sure that they have enough. And if I come upon a bush, and say there’s only ten 

raspberries or something like that on it, I won’t pick any. I’ll just leave it for those that need it.”

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.
56

Rose species

Rosa spp. Rosaceae

Other Names: kikcokalokiqeminsimus (Maliseet)

Several species of wild and naturalized rose

species grow in northern Maine. All produce 

fruit known as hips. Rosehips contain much 

more vitamin C than oranges, providing an 

excellent local source of this important nutrient. 

Interviewees collect rose hips from both wild and 

cultivated sources.

Physical Description: Although there is much 

variation among species, the genus Rosa shares 

many physical traits. Roses are perennial shrubs 

or vines, whose stems are covered by sharp 

prickles. Flowers generally have fi ve petals and are usually pink or white. Some fl owers are more 

strongly scented than others. Leaves are arranged alternately on stems and are made up of a series 

of toothed, oval leafl ets. Rosehips often resemble a small apple in color and shape, and they have a 

fl eshy outer layer that surrounds a center of fi ne hairs and seeds.

Habitat: Forest edges, open woodlands, riverbanks, gardens, residential areas.

Uses: Rosehips are used medicinally and nutritionally as a source of vitamin C. Several people we 

spoke with also use red rosehips to add colorful decoration to Christmas wreaths. Rose petals are the 

key ingredient in a rosewater toner created by Natalia Bragg.

Preparation: Rosehips can be used fresh or dried for later use. Th ey are steeped in boiling water to 

create a nutritious, vitamin-rich, red tea. Use fresh rose petals to create rosewater.

Best Time to Harvest: Rose hips become ripe in the fall and can be harvested throughout the 

winter. Harvest rose petals at the height of fl owering in the summer.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Never harvest all of the rosehips off a particular 

plant. Many people have rose bushes growing around their homes that produce wonderful hips. 

Request permission if a rose you would like to harvest from is located on private land.

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.

Rose blossom. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.
57

Spruce species

Picea spp. Pinaceae

Representative Species: Red spruce (Picea rubens), Black spruce (Picea 

mariana)

Other Names: Epinette (French), olonatoq (Maliseet, red spruce), kawatoq 

(Maliseet, black spruce), kawatkw (Mi’kmaq)

“Now, the fi rst thing you want to understand 

if you put spruce gum into your mouth, don’t 

bite it immediately. Just take and put it in, 

leave it in your mouth, and just barely, I’ll 

say take it between your teeth, and just start 

rolling it. And eventually, it will become the 

nicest piece of gum that you’ve ever chewed 

on.” Tim Scott

Spruce trees grow in abundance in the St. 

John River watershed. In addition to being a 

valuable timber species, spruce species have 

been used for a variety of purposes, including 

gum, a nostalgic favorite of many Mainers. 

Originally chewed by Penobscots and other Native American groups, spruce gum is hardened pitch 

from the resin of black, white, and red spruce trees. Spruce gum became the fi rst commercially sold 

chewing gum in the world when John Curtis, a Mainer, began to market it in 1848. It became so 

popular that by the end of the 1800s, more than 300,000 pounds of gum were harvested annually. 

Woodsmen who spent the winters in logging camps would often make small, intricately carved 

boxes for their sweethearts, which they would fi ll with pieces of hard, amber-colored spruce gum.

Physical Description: Red spruce grows up to 80 feet tall. Mature 

bark forms irregular, reddish scales. Half-inch-long needles are dark 

green, shiny, and sharp. Twigs are hairy. Red spruce cones are 1⁄2 to 2 

inches long, and cone scales usually have smooth margins. Black spruce 

can reach heights of 90 feet, but are much smaller if grown in boggy 

conditions. Gray-brown bark forms thin scales. Needles are blue-green 

and are 1⁄4 to 1 1⁄2 inches long. Black spruce twigs are hairy, and upon 

close inspection, some hairs have bulbous glands on their tip. Black 

spruce cones can persist on trees for many years and are stiff , with 

toothed or notched scale margins.

Habitat: Red spruce can be found on well-drained, sometimes shallow, 

acidic soils. In northern Maine, it is often co-dominant with balsam fi r. 

Black spruce can also grow on well-drained soils, but is usually associated 

with wet areas such as sphagnum bogs and swamps.

Red spruce branch tips. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Black spruce bark. Photo by Keith 

Kanoti, Maine Forest Service, 

Bugwood.org
58

Uses: Hardened spruce resin is chewed as a long-lasting gum 

that has antiseptic properties. Spruce gum was widely used in 

commercial preparations as a cough cure in the 19th and early 20th

centuries. Th e melted resin mixed with fat may also be used to seal 

seams on canoes, making them watertight. Spruce roots are used 

in basketmaking and to “sew” together sides of containers.

Preparation: Raw pieces of resin are heated until they become 

liquid, allowing impurities such as pieces of twigs, needles, and 

bark to be strained out. After it has hardened, pure resin or 

gum can be rolled in cornstarch to prevent pieces from sticking 

together. Gum manufacturers sometimes mixed in chicle gum to make for a softer chew. Spruce 

roots are usually peeled and split before use.

Best Time to Harvest: Resin can be harvested any time after it has hardened, although experts say 

that it takes 4 to 5 years of aging to reach the perfect consistency. Commercial harvesting operations 

traditionally took place in the winter and early spring, when harvesters could take advantage of a 

deep snowpack to reach resin deposits located higher on the tree. Often, harvesters would use a 

specialized tool to pry off and catch the resin: a pole with a chisel-like head that had a can fastened to 

it. Spruce roots are harvested in the spring or fall when the ground is not frozen.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Spruce resin is exuded when a tree is injured, 

acting as a natural bandage to help the tree heal. Harvest only hardened resin, and do not injure a 

tree to make it produce resin. Because of the disturbance to the surrounding soil, spruce roots should 

be harvested in moderation.

 Some species information derived from the Red Spruce chapter of Silvics of North America [34], 

personal communication from David Fuller [49], and Morton’s article in Gastronomica [50].

Spruce gum picking tool. Photo 

courtesy of David Fuller, University 

of Maine Presque Isle.
59

St. Johnswort

Hypericum perforatum Clusiaceae

Other Names: Pertuisane (French)

Another example of a naturalized plant that was introduced 

from Europe, St. Johnswort is currently used medicinally by 

people from a variety of cultures in northern Maine.

Physical Description: St. Johnswort is an herb with multibranched stems that grows up to 3 feet tall. Narrow leaves 

measure up to 11⁄2 inches long and are covered in small, black 

dots. Bright yellow, fi ve-petaled fl owers are 3⁄4 to 1 inch wide. 

Individual petals also have small black dots around the margin.

Habitat: St. Johnswort can be found in old fi elds and along 

roadsides.

Uses: People believe St. Johnswort can be ingested internally 

in tea or tincture form to help relieve stress and symptoms of 

depression. It is also applied externally as a salve or pure oil to 

treat sore muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, 

and bruises.

Preparation: Fresh plants may be combined with boiling water to create medicinal teas, or they may 

be crushed and steeped in alcohol for several weeks to make a long-lasting tincture. Fresh plants may 

also be crushed and then infused in olive oil to create a base for salves.

Best Time to Harvest: Harvest St. Johnswort throughout the summer, when fl owers are in full 

bloom. Flowers and tops of stems, including leaves, may be used.

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Harvest only the top third of a plant, leaving the rest 

to continue to grow.

Information about medicinal plant uses is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be 

used for self-diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed physician.

St. Johnswort fl owers. Photo by 

Michelle Baumfl ek.
60

Strawberries, Wild

Fragaria virginiana Rosaceae

Other Names: Fraisier (French), pskihqiminsok (Maliseet), atuwomkemin 

(Mi’kmaq)

“Wild strawberries are the most delicious. Just tiny 

little intense packages of fl avor.” Sharri Venno

“Th e strawberries, for the Fourth of July you can go get 

a meal.” Frances Plourde

Wild strawberries were mentioned and collected by 

more than half of our interviewees. Strawberries are the 

fi rst wild fruits to appear in northern Maine, signaling 

the beginning of summer. Although wild strawberries 

are small and labor intensive to gather, many people 

prefer their fl avor to store-bought varieties.

Physical Description: Wild strawberries are small, low-growing 

plants. Leaves are made up of three egg-shaped leafl ets with toothed 

margins. Th e 1⁄2- to 1-inch-wide white fl owers have fi ve petals and 

are usually found in clusters. Th e red fruit is easily recognizable and 

has seeds deeply set into its surface.

Habitat: Wild strawberries are often found in fi elds, lawns, along 

roadsides, and in grassy margins.

Uses: Th e fruit of the strawberry is a favorite wild food of people 

from northern Maine. Several interviewees recalled vivid childhood 

memories of being sent out with their siblings to collect large 

quantities of strawberries for their mothers. Frances Plourde of 

Eagle Lake remembers one year that she helped gather and process 

80 gallons of wild strawberries:

“My mother used to have berries by the gallons. Eighty gallons of 

it she’d can, but she had a bunch of kids. ‘You, you, you and you, 

go and get your fi ve pound pail of berries this morning.’ Come 

noontime, it was the same thing.”

Preparation: Strawberries are often eaten fresh or used as a seasonal ingredient in pies and cakes. 

Th ey are also frozen or made into jellies and jams for later use.

Best Time to Harvest: Strawberries start to become ripe in late June or early July. Although the fruit 

can become relatively large, interviewees mentioned that smaller fruits have a sweeter fl avor.

Strawberry blossoms. Photo by Michelle Baumfl ek.

Botanical illustration of strawberry. 

Illustration courtesy of USDA-NRCS 

PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. 

Brown. 1913. An illustrated fl ora of the 

northern United States, Canada and the 

British Possessions. Vol. 2: 260.
61

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: Although wild strawberries can be abundant in 

open areas, some interviewees felt that fi elds of berries were becoming harder to come by. Many 

people mention harvesting strawberries from their lawns, but caution against picking from areas 

treated with pesticides. One interviewee found that mowing her fi eld to reduce competition from 

other grasses produced great amounts of strawberries:

“Th ere are a few places that we found that, if you mow them regularly, and if you keep the other 

grasses down, they go crazy. So we’ve been really, really lucky, and there’s nothing like a wild 

strawberry.” Sue Young

 Some species information derived from Newcomb’s Wildfl ower Guide [40], Gleason and 

Cronquist’s Manual of Vascular Plants of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada

[35], and the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database [38]. 
62

Sweetgrass

Hierochloe odorata Poaceae

Other Names: Herbe sainte (French), welimahaskil (Maliseet), kjimskiku 

(Mi’kmaq)

Sweetgrass is considered sacred by Native 

Americans from Maine and other parts of the 

United States and Canada. Several Mi’kmaq 

and Maliseet gatherers we spoke with expressed 

concern about the loss of sweetgrass due to 

poor harvesting techniques, soil erosion, and 

destruction of habitat caused by development.

Physical Description: Sweetgrass is a perennial 

grass that forms thick rhizomatous mats. Stems 

grow up to 3 feet high and are usually purple at 

the base. Th e grass has a sweet, pleasant smell. 

Flowers are formed in a branched, tapering 

cluster called a panicle.

Habitat: Sweetgrass is a wetland plant and is found in moist meadows, 

along riverbanks, and near the ocean. Some people prefer the quality of 

sweetgrass that grows near the ocean:

“Th ere are areas here where you can harvest the sweetgrass, but the best 

places to get them are near the ocean, because they grow longer and they 

have a sweeter smell.”

Uses: Sweetgrass is used ceremonially and is smoked or burned as a 

purifying smudge. Sweetgrass is also used for basketry, either by itself 

or combined with brown ash splints.

Preparation: Sweetgrass is often braided and dried before use.

Best Time to Harvest: Late July through September, after the plant 

has gone to seed. One interviewee recommends harvesting in the 

morning, when it is easier to tell the diff erence between sweetgrass and 

other grasses:

“And the best time to pick it is in the morning, like when the sun is coming up, because you 

can see the diff erence, because it doesn’t grow all by itself, it grows with other weeds and other 

grasses that look similar to the sweetgrass, but if you go when the sun is coming up in the Eastern 

direction, and you just kind of brush the grass back with your hand, you can see that it glows. Th e 

sweetgrass glows. It almost looks like a neon green.”

Photo by SriMesh, used under terms of GNU Tree 

Documemtation License.

Historical botanical drawing of 

sweetgrass. Illustration from Clark 

& James, "Farm Weeds," 1906.
63

Tips for Sustainable Harvesting/Management: We learned several important considerations from 

interviewees for sustainably harvesting sweetgrass. First, treat the plants with respect. People we 

spoke with all off er tobacco before harvesting sweetgrass, as a way to honor the plant’s life and give 

back something to the earth. Second, harvest sweetgrass only after it has gone to seed to promote the 

growth of new plants. Th ird, do not pull up sweetgrass. Although this technique is sometimes used 

to make room for more sweetgrass to grow, if done improperly it will quickly deplete a population. 

Instead of uprooting an entire plant, simply snip sweetgrass stems close to the ground. Th is will 

allow plants to grow again the following year. 

 Some species information derived from the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database [38] and Gleason 

and Cronquist’s Manual of Vascular Plants of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent 

Canada [35].
64

GLOSSARY

Alternate: Description of the arrangement of leaves, buds, or leaf scars on branches or twigs. 

In an alternate arrangement, leaves, buds, or leaf scars appear singly, at diff erent points 

[51].

Berry: A simple, pulpy fruit of a few or many seeds (but no stones), developed from a single 

ovary [34].

Boreal Forest: A coniferous forest of higher latitudes and elevations in the Northern 

Hemisphere characterized by evergreen conifers such as spruce, fi r, and pine [34].

Breast Height: 1.37 m or 4.5 feet above groundline on standing trees, a standard height in 

the USA for recording diameter [34].

Catkin: A drooping, elongated cluster of bracted, unisexual fl owers, found only in woody 

plants [34].

Drupe: A simple, fl eshy fruit surrounding one to several stony pits. Example: Chokecherry 

[51].

Entire: Referring to a leaf whose margin does not have teeth or lobes [51].

Leafl et: A component of a compound leaf [35]. Some plants have leaves that are made up 

of two or more leafl ets. Leafl ets usually resemble small leaves, and compound leaves are 

common in certain plant families. For example, ash trees in the genus Fraxinus have 

leaves that are made up of seven to nine leafl ets.

Margin: Th e edge of a leaf.

Opposite: Referring to leaves, bud, leaf scars, or branches that appear directly across from 

each other on a twig, branch, or stem [51].

Raceme: A long, cylindrical cluster of fl owers.

Samara: A dry, winged fruit, one seeded in ash and elm species, two-seeded in maple species 

[34].

Serrate: Sharp, forward-pointing teeth [51].

Spadix: A fl eshy spike covered in small, crowded fl owers [35].

Tincture: An extract prepared by soaking plant material in alcohol. Th e solid material is 

removed before use.
65

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51. Hyland, F.; Hoisington, B. 1981. Th e woody plants of sphagnous bogs of northern New 

England and adjacent Canada. Orono, ME: University of Maine Press.

52. DeBlois, A. Micmac dictionary. Hull, Quebec: Canadian Museum of Civilization.

53. Mi'kmaq online talking dictionary. (Date accessed: July 9, 2010) Available from: http://

www.mikmaqonline.org

54. Fernand, M.L.; Gray, A. 1954. Gray's manual of botany. 8th ed. New York: Van Nostrand 

Reinhold.
69

APPENDIX 1.—Comprehensive List of Nontimber Forest Products and 

Uses Mentioned by Interviewees.

Common name (English) Latin name Frequency of 

mention

Usesa

Alder Alnus incana ssp. rugosa 3 

Angelica Angelica atropurpurea 1

Apples, Wild Malus sylvestris 4

Artichoke, Jerusalem Helianthus tuberosus 2

Ash, Brown Fraxinus nigra 7

 

Aspen, Bigtooth Populus grandidentata 2

Balm-of-Gilead Populus X P. gileadensis 2

Beech, American Fagus grandifolia 4

Bergamot, Wild Monarda fi stulosa 1

Betony, Wood Pedicularis canadensis 2

Birch, Paper Betula papyrifera 5

 

Birch, Yellow Betula allegheniensis 2 

Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis 2

Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosym, 

Vaccinium angustifolium 11

 

Brake (Bracken Fern) Pteridium aquilinum 1

Bugaloos 4

Bunchberries Cornus canadensis 1

Burdock Arctium minus 5 

Butter and Eggs Linaria vulgaris 1

Butternut Juglans cinerea 2

continued

a = Aesthetic; = Craft; = Food; = Medicine; = Spiritual (this symbol depicts = Utilitarian

 a Native American medicine wheel);
70

Common name (English) Latin name Frequency of 

mention

Usesa

Calamus/Muskrat Root Acorus calamus 8

Caraway Carum carvi 3 

Catnip Nepeta cataria 1

Cattail Typha latifolia 3

 

Cedar Thuja occidentalis 5

 

Chaga mushroom Innonotus obliquus 1

Chanterelle Cantharellus cibarius 2

 

Cherry, Black Prunus serotina 1

Chicken of the Woods Laetiporus sulphureus 1

Chickweed Stellaria media 3 

Chives, Wild Allium schoenoprasum 5

Chokecherry Prunus virginiana 11 

Cicely, Sweet Osmorhiza claytonii 1

Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara 5

Comfrey Symphytum offi cinale 5

Crabapples Pyrus coronaria 1

Cranberry, Highbush Viburnum opulus var.

americanum 10 

Currant, Black Ribes americanum 4

Dandelion Taraxacum offi cinale 7

Dock, Yellow Rumex crispus 1

continued

APPENDIX 1.—continued

a = Aesthetic; = Craft; = Food; = Medicine; = Spiritual (this symbol depicts = Utilitarian

 a Native American medicine wheel);
71

Common name (English) Latin name Frequency of 

mention

Usesa

Dogwood, Red-Osier Cornus sericea 7

 

Elderberry, Black Sambucus canadensis 2 

Eyebright Euphrasia offi cinalis 2

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare 1

Ferns, Other Various species 4

 

Fiddleheads Matteuccia struthiopteris 15

Fir species Abies spp.

Fir, Balsam Abies balsamea 10

 

Fungus, Bear’s Head Hericium americanum 1

Goldenrod species Solidago spp. 2 

Goldthread Coptis trifolia 7

Gooseberry species Ribes spp. 2

Goosefoot Chenopodium album 1

Grapes, Wild Vitis labrusca 3

 

Hawthorn Crataegus spp. 1

Hazelnut, American Corylus americana 1

Hazelnut, Beaked Corylus cornuta 7

Hemlock Tsuga canadensis 1

Hop Vine Humulus lupulus 1

Horseradish Armoracia rusticana 2

continued

APPENDIX 1.—continued

a = Aesthetic; = Craft; = Food; = Medicine; = Spiritual (this symbol depicts = Utilitarian

 a Native American medicine wheel);
72

Common name (English) Latin name Frequency of 

mention

Usesa

Horsetail Equisetum sp. 3

Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea sp. 1

Indian Cucumber Medeola virginiana 2

Ivy, Ground Glechoma hederacea 1

Jewelweed Impatiens capensis 4

Labrador Tea Ledum groenlandicum 3

 

Lady’s Mantle Alchemilla vulgaris 1

Lamb’s Quarters Chenopodium album 2

Lily, Water Nymphaea odorata 1

Lingonberries Vaccinium vitis-idaea 1

Lungwort Pulmonaria offi cinalis 1

Lupine Lupinus polyphyllus 1 

Mallow Malva moschata 1

Maple, Sugar Acer saccharum 4

Mayfl ower ID uncertain 1

Meadowsweet Spiraea alba 1

Mint, Wild Mentha arvensis 3 

Morel, Common Morchella esculenta 2

Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca 1

Mullein, Common Verbascum thapsus 4

 

continued

APPENDIX 1.—continued

a = Aesthetic; = Craft; = Food; = Medicine; = Spiritual (this symbol depicts = Utilitarian

 a Native American medicine wheel);
73

Common name (English) Latin name Frequency of 

mention

Usesa

Mushroom, Bracket Ganoderma applanatum 1

Partridgeberry Mitchella repens 1

Pearly Everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea 5 

Pine species Pinus spp. 6

 

Plantain Plantago major 7

Plum, Beach Prunus maritima 1

Plum, Canada Prunus nigra 2

Primrose, Evening Oenothera biennis 2

Princess Pine (Club Mosses) Lycopodium spp. 1

Queen Anne’s Lace Daucus carota 3

 

Raspberry Rubus idaeus 13

 

Red Clover Trifolium pratense 5 

Rose, Wild Rosa sp. 6 

Sarsaparilla Aralia nudicaulis 2

 

Sedge, Yellow Nut Cyperus esculentus 1

Self-heal Prunella vulgaris 2

Serviceberry Amelanchier sp. 2

Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia 1

Shepherd’s Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris 1

Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus 1

continued

APPENDIX 1.—continued

a = Aesthetic; = Craft; = Food; = Medicine; = Spiritual (this symbol depicts = Utilitarian

 a Native American medicine wheel);
74

Common name (English) Latin name Frequency of 

mention

Usesa

Snowberry, Creeping Gaultheria hispidula 1

Soapwort Saponaria offi cinalis 1

Sorrel, Wood Oxalis montana 2

Spruce species Picea spp. 6

 

Spruce, Black Picea mariana 2

 

St. Johnswort Hypericum perforatum 6+

Strawberry Fragaria virginiana 12

Sumac, Staghorn Rhus typhina 2

 

Sweetfern Comptonia peregrina 2

Sweetgrass Hierochloe odorata 6

 

Tamarack Larix laricina 4

 

Trillium, Pink Trillium grandifl orum 1

Trillium, Red Trillium erectum 1

Vervain Verbena hastata 1

Violet, Wild Viola sp. 2

 

Willow species Salix spp. 2

 

Wintercress Barbarea verna,

Barbarea vulgaris 1

Yarrow Achillea millefolium 4

 

a = Aesthetic; = Craft; = Food; = Medicine; = Spiritual (this symbol depicts = Utilitarian

 a Native American medicine wheel);

APPENDIX 1.—continued
Printed on Recycled Paper

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on 

the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial 

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Baumfl ek, Michelle J.; Emery, Marla R.; Ginger, Clare. 2010. Culturally and 

economically important nontimber forest products of northern Maine. Gen. 

Tech. Rep. NRS-68. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Northern Research Station. 74 p.

Nontimber forest products (NTFPs) gathered for food, medicine, craft, spiritual, aesthetic, 

and utilitarian purposes make substantial contributions to the economic viability and 

cultural vitality of communities. In the St. John River watershed of northern Maine, 

people identifying with cultural groups including Acadian, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, ScotchIrish, and Swedish use more than 120 wild plant and fungus species. We interviewed 

both gatherers and land managers about NTFP uses that are signifi cant in this region 

and about factors that facilitate or limit gathering, including access to gathering sites. 

This handbook and its accompanying Web site (http://nrs.fs.fed.us/sustaining_forests/

conserve_enhance/special_products/maine_ntfp/) present our overall study fi ndings as 

well as in-depth species profi les of 30 nontimber forest products including brown ash, 

paper birch, blueberries, highbush cranberry, and fi ddleheads.

KEY WORDS: Nontimber forest products, special forest products, ethnobotany, 

traditional ecological knowledge, wild edibles, medicinal plants, foraging, basketmaking, 

access, Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Acadian, St. John River watershed, Maine