Numerous varieties of wild fruits and veggies can be found locally: Wild Onion and Garlic and Wild Strawberry are discussed herein; Mayapple and Raspberries are discussed elsewhere.
Variations: Regular Wild Onion is Allium canadense. Peterson & McKenny (1968) names it A. stellatum, but Swink & Wilhelm (1994) labels A. stellatum the "Prarie Onion," found only in McHenry (Ill.) and Porter (Ind.) counties in the Chicago area, and the Porter County specemin was labeled an introduction. Wild Onion (A. canadense) is also called Wild Garlic.
A second variation is the Nodding Wild Onion (A. cernuum), which is distinguished by its genetically downturned flowers. Lily (Liliaceae) Family.
Commentary: These plants may all resemble grass when growing with grass and not in bloom, but their smell when run over with a lawnmower will be a dead give-away. Each produces a strong onion smell when broken. An immature plant (above) sprouts as early as the other woodland wildflowers, but it blooms later, usually around the beginning of June. The plant grows substantially, with its numerous leaves growing to lengths of up to one foot. By the time it blooms, the leaves are usually wilted. They are not hollow. Leaves have a V or U shaped cross-section.
Wild Onion grows well in patches that may look like grass from afar. Because it has a small onion bulb, it is very easy to transplant into an herb garden or wildflower garden. It spreads by means of its flowers' seeds. Each flower is a small, light pink flower of 6 petals. The flowers emerge from atop a stem with a small bulbete growth atop. Word is that the bulbet may be used for is used as a cocktail onion.
This is one crop that doesn't require lots of sun, though the tiny onions produced are pretty much worthless for human consumption in today's world unless in a soup.
Soil Preferences: pH: A. canadense: 5.8-7.0, A. cernuum: 6.0-7.0
References: Peterson & McKenny, 296-7, Klimas & Cunningham n195-6, Swink & Wilhelm 92-94.
Variations: Wild Strawberry is Fragaria virginiana, vs. the Wood Strawberry, F. vesca. Rose (Rosaceae) Family.
Commentary: Wild Strawberry is found in patches at the edge of woods, as well as in fields and clearings. It has three leaves growing from a very pubescent (hairy) stem, and a separate bunch of flowers growing from its own stem. The flowers are generally below the leaves. Wood Strawberry is paler green and found further north (i.e., from a line Virginia to Illinios northward)
The fruit is very small and spoils quickly. However, unlike its larger cultivated cousins, the flavour is very concentrated, making for an excellent treat for those lucky enough to find one.
The plants reproduce by means of runners which can advance the patch's boundaries by about 1 foot each year.
Precautions and Uses: Aside from jams and berries, the strawberry plant itself has been used to treat inflamed eyes, gonorrhea, mouth sores, cataracts, kidney stones, and gout.
Soil Preferences: pH: 5.0-7.5
References: Wampler & Wampler 19, Klimas & Cunningham 62.
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