Typha latifolia (Broadleaf cattail)
Events, Past

Cottonwood Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk (9/30/2023)

Join Charles for a Cottonwood Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk

When: Saturday, September 30th, 8am to 11am.

Where: Cottonwood-Clarkdale vicinity.

Meet-up point: 8am, meet up at the far end of the Safeway parking lot. 1635 E Cottonwood St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326.

Additional: The upper desert elevations of central Arizona hold an interesting mixture of utilitarian plants. Flourishing along the Verde River are two related trees – Cottonwood and Willow. Similar in medicinal use, both are useful due to their aspirin-related anti-inflammatory effects.

Another species of note is Desert barberry. A regularly encountered spiny shrub, it’s one of the more important plant medicines to be aware of in central Arizona. Having antiseptic and liver stimulating qualities, its application fits many common health disfunctions. A side benefit – in years of good rainfall, its berries are supremely edible. Juniper and Ephedra also abound. With their urinary and upper respiratory tract effects, plant utilitarians have yet an additional set of tools.

Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush)
Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush)

Creosote bush thrives in the region. A medicinal powerhouse, its therapeutic use is noteworthy: venomous insect bites, sun-damaged skin, certain autoimmune inflammations, a number of viral conditions.  However, its internal use should not be considered carefree.  Learn how to use the plant, intelligently and safely.

Know your Nightshades: Datura and Tobacco are here. Topically the two are therapeutic (analgesic and antiinflammatory), but accidentally ingested? The situation could be considered emergency-room territory.

For wild food enthusiasts, Banana yucca, Wild gourd, Blackberry, Wolfberry (aka Desert gogi berry), and Yellow nutsedge should not disappoint.

In total, I’ll discuss or point out 20-30 useful species.

Mini Book Signing: After we finish, I’ll have a book signing at the vehicles for anyone who wants to purchase a book (or bring your own copy for me to sign). I’ll have these titles available to sign/purchase:

  • Medicinal Plants of Western Mountain States (covers high elevation SW/Western plants)
  • Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest (covers low elevation SW plants)
  • Wild Edible Plants of Arizona
  • Sonoran Desert Food Plants