Two Paso Robles Wild Plants that Have Medicinal Value

I happened to take this photo on my Templeton property, but both these plants can be seen growing wild at Larry Moore Park and in many uncultivated areas throughout the North County. The tree, or large shrub is elderberry. It just seemed to appear out of nowhere one year and kept growing. It took me some time to learn what it was. The milk thistle is the lovely plant with the milky marking in the leaves and the purple thorn flowers. It is reputed to have medicinal uses. It is also edible. Recipes for using both milk thistle and elderberries can be found in Edible and Useful Plants of California.

This lower photo shows you a closer look at the elderberry's different stages. In the lower left you can still see some of the remaining pale yellow flowers. You can also see berries in various stages of ripeness, with the purple berries being the most mature. The bees love this tree when it's blooming in the spring, which is probably why it has so much fruit. I have never needed to water this tree.

Elderberry has been around since the the Stone Age, according to Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, my favorite herb reference. Man has used the berries and flowers for healing, and the branches to make an ancient Greek stringed instrument called the sambuke. Most people today use the berries for making wine or jelly. Both cosmetics and dyes are also made from elderberry flowers or leaves. Elderberry roots, leaves and stems can release cyanide, so one needs to be careful when using this plant. Berries are best consumed cooked.

If  you want to enlarge a photo, just click on it for a closer look.

Have you seen elderberry trees in wild places or along the roadsides? Have you ever used the berries?

Exploring a Small County Road

Miner's Lettuce Growing in Tree Crevice

Today I stopped to explore a place I've always wanted to photograph. I just never knew where to park that was not on private property. On the way from Paso Robles to Templeton today I discovered there was a public road where I could park and walk in. Time was limited, but I still got some photos. What I was delighted to see was an abundance of Miner's Lettuce. It was even more fun seeing it grow in the tree.

In fact, there was Miner's Lettuce everywhere along the road. I took the liberty of picking some of it and taking it home for salad tomorrow, since it didn't look as though anyone would care. I've never tried eating it yet because I've never been able to find it where it was not growing next to poison oak.  As you can see, there is plenty of it here. It is supposed to be very tasty.

As I continued down the road, I found myself with forest on both sides. The road is called Ambush Trail, which I thought was interesting. It's supposed to lead up to a vineyard. I wanted to explore more, but I was pressed for time. I will go back the first chance I get. I want to find out if it connects with Twelve Oaks Drive at some point. I love exploring the roads less traveled.

For more information about Miner's Lettuce and other edible weeds, see

Foraging California: Finding, Identifying, And Preparing Edible Wild Foods In California (Foraging Series) by Christopher Nyerges. It's the best book I've seen on recognizing and preparing California wild foods. It has all my favorites.