For centuries, people have selected trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers, and ferns to landscape homes and gardens. Numerous opportunities will be available to collect seed from or grow native West Virginia plants for use in federal projects. Among the many native wildflowers with high potential are stiff aster, goat's rue, downy yellow foxglove, galax, blue vervian, plumelily, and wake robin trillium. Edible forest foods include maple syrup, walnuts, and hickory nuts. Morels, puffballs, and other edible mushrooms frequently bring higher prices than commercially grown shiitakes.
Ramps have potential for early spring income.
Summer and autumn provide wild fruit crops of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, serviceberries, elderberries, grapes, pawpaws, and persimmons. These can be sold fresh or as jam, jelly, and preserves. A little imagination and good marketing can go a long way toward success. Management of the wild plants is critical to ensuring a sustainable population and a stable income.