Velvetleaf

This tall fuzzy plant resembles a sunflower in form, but has 5-petaled flowers and unique crown-shaped fruits

Maples

This genus of trees has over 100 species native to North America and Eurasia. Most have opposite leaves with palmate lobes and veins, and...

Souslik

This little ground squirrel lives in central/eastern Europe and may remind you of the North American prairie dog

Purple Deadnettle

Clumps of this small mint can look almost unreal, like clusters of tiny geometric towers sprayed with dusty purple paint

Heal-All

A humble little mint with a long blooming period and a long history of widespread use

Bearberry

Also known as Kinnikinnick, this natural ground cover with leathery evergreen leaves and red berries can be found growing in sandy, rocky soils in...

Soapberries

This genus contains about a dozen species of shrubs and small trees, each with fruits that can be used to make a lathering soap.

Bobolink

Known in some areas as a pest, the "rice bird" who feeds on rice and grains especially during migration, this New World Blackbird has...

Northern Wheatear

This relative of the European Robin nests across Eurasia, can sometimes be found in small numbers in North America, and overwinters in Africa.

Jade Vine

The local Philippines call this woody vine "tayabak". Related to the green beans we grow in our gardens, this species' unique turquoise claw-shaped flowers...

European Robin

This is the typical "red-breast" found in the United Kingdom and much of Europe, completely unrelated to the "red-breast" found in America.

American Robin

This is one of the few birds that many residents of the USA know by name... but it is THAT NAME that makes many...

Eastern Bluebird

Birders in the eastern half of America welcome this bird as one of their most colorful and recognizable, with its classic blue plumage, contrasted...

White-Breasted Nuthatch

This black-white-and-grey bird points its slender bill downwards - or tilts it comically upwards - as it spirals face-first down tree trunks and round...

Eurasian Bullfinch

This brightly colored, chunky bird is not found in America but frequents gardens and backyards in the UK and throughout much of Europe.

Horsechestnut

This tree has large, opposite, palmately compound leaves and pyramids of flowers around May. It is often planted in parks and along city streets.

Silverweed

This yellow-flowered, silvery-leaved plant grows low to the ground and has runners that shoot out all over to establish new plants, just like its...

Pine Siskin

Similar in many ways to the American Goldfinch, this little bird has a heavily streaked breast and can often be found in sizeable groups.

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

One of the few species to walk face-first down tree trunks, this little bird also has a distinct black stripe through its eye.

Common Milkweed

A familiar weed of lawns, fields, roadsides, and gardens, this plant and its close relatives are the only species eaten by beautiful monarch butterflies.

Climbing Briars

These nearly ubiquitous, often evergreen vines are almost entirely edible outside of their berries. Try their tender tendrils. :wink:

English walnut

This is the species that is used as THE cultivated walnut tree. It has pinnately compound leaves with about 7 alternate leaflets, larger towards...

Common Reed

This worldwide wetland grass can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall and can cover a quarter of a square mile or more...

Black-Crested Titmouse

Only found from Central Texas down into Mexico, this titmouse with a striking black crest acts quite a bit like its more familiar, look-alike...

Black Tulip

This dark-colored cup fungus grows in small clumps on hardwood, starting out nearly closed and tender enough to be eaten, and maturing into a...

Love in a Mist

The brilliant blue, white, or pink of these flowers are actually 5 to 25 colored sepals rather than petals. They appear to float upon...

Indian pipe

This WHITE little plant completely lacks chlorophyll and is often mistaken for a fungus or mushroom. In truth, it is a parasite of fungi...

Field Mustard

This species includes varieties called bok choy, napa cabbage, turnip, rapini, and totsoi

Black Medic

A low-growing "trefoil" weed of lawns and disturbed, nitrogen-poor soil, distinguished by its tiny hop-like yellow flower clusters, pointed tips on each leaflet, and...

Jelly Ear Fungus

This velvety rootbeer-colored, moist-looking, rubbery-textured, somewhat cup-shaped edible fungus grows on trees and downed logs

Burdock

This large-leaved biennial wildflower has thistle-like flowers and an edible and medicinal taproot

Ramps

This low-growing plant looks, smells, and tastes like onion and is served in US cuisine

Borage

This hairy little plant with 5 pointy petals is native to the Mediterranean region and is both edible and medicinal

Sultan Tit

This bright, tropical-looking black and yellow bird from Southeast Asia is related to chickadees and titmice

Skunk Cabbage

This humble plant is easily overlooked, both in its quiet early blooming and later leaf unfurling. You can find it in wetlands and riverine...