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NipperCat posted an update in the group Herbal Medicine Advocate Network
Identifying common weeds, plants, trees, etc. can be tricky. The first thing to consider is what the plant looks like. For example, does it have alternate leaves, opposite leaves, heart-shaped leaves, round leaves, simple or compound leaves, etc. Look at the type of fruit, the type and color of the flower; and finally where it is growing (in a lake, desert, roadside, etc.).
simple observation tells you all this at a glance. Then, go to Wikipedia or your favorite wildflower manual (Peterson’s Field Guides: Wildflowers for Northeastern/NorthCentral North America) or a really good source I found for basics is called “Botany in a Day: The pattern Method of Plant Identification”…An Herbal Field Guide To Plant Families of North America. A faster, easier, and engaging way to identify plants.
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For example, the Broadleaf plantain plant you found are low, green plants with inconspicuous flowers. Leaves appear to have parallel veins but have small, netted veins too.
The leaves are delicious batter fried, or young leaves can embellish your salads. They are rich in vitamins A, C and K. Leaves contain allotoin, useful for soothing skin conditions. My caution with the roadside weeds is that the plants usefulness may be compromised by roadside pollutants and chemicals.