HERBAL USES FOR PLANTS IN THE MARY S. TOPOLSKY GARDEN

This Garden is a dynamic work in progress prepared by the Friends of the Hackensack Greenway Through Teaneck. In summer 2018, there were over 24 native plants in the Garden that are highlighted in this map.

Legend: Plant Life cycle: P=Perennial, B=Biennial, A=Annual. Use: C=Culinary, M=Medical, D=Dye, O=Ornamental, F=Fragrance, I=insect and bird attractor. Plants with medicinal uses are included; but inclusion is not to be taken as a recommendation for use.

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum). used as a dessert syrup, has a licorice taste. P, O, M, C, I.

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) or “Oswego Tea.” Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies, Used in teas for colds and chest pains. M, C,O, I.

Black Snakeroot (Cimicifuga ramosa), or Black Cohosh, used for upper back pain. P, M, O.

Clethra (Clethra alnifolia) or summersweet, has spicy-white flowers in the summer. P, O, F.

Crabapple Tree (Malus). Ornamental, apples used in relish. P, O.M, C.

Creeping phlox (Phlox subulota). Ground cover. P, O.

Echinacea (Echinacea cv). A root tea was made for coughs and immune system strengthening by Native Americans. P, M, O, I.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra). Native Americans collected the berries for a syrup.P, O, M, C.

Goat’s Beard, Dwarf (Aruncus dioicus). Flowers in late spring/early summer. O, P.

Heuchera (Heuchera americana, Dale’s strain). Used as an astringent. P, M, O, I.

Labrador Violet (Viola labradorica). Decorative and edible plant (flowers only.) P, O M

Milkweed, Butterfly (Asclepias tuberosa). Used as bandages in the Revolutionary War. P, O, M, I.

Milkweed, Swamp (Asclepias incarnata). Monarch caterpillars feast on the leaves. Both attract bees and hummingbirds. P,O,M, I.

Mountain Mints: Apppalachian (Pycnanthemum flexuosum)and short Toothed Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) A tea of the leaves of these varieties was used to treat coughs, colds, chills and fevers. P, M, O, I.

River Birch (Betula nigra). Ornamental, naturally grows along river banks. P, O.

Sedges: Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pennsylvanica). “Fountaining” growth of a grass-like plant is used as an alternative to traditional turf. Cattail Sedge (Carex typhina) The clump growth at the end of the blade looks like a small cattail. P, O.

Spotted Joe Pyeweed (Eupatorium maculatum). Blooms many weeks in July and August, is a magnet for butterflies. P, O, A, C, M, I.

Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirena). John Tradescant visited Virginia in 1628. He brought the Trumpet Honeysuckle back to England. P, O, I.

Winterberry (Ilex opaca) is in the Holly family and native to the Eastern U.S. The U.S. Government has placed it on the Threatened and Endangered Plant List. P, O, M.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Many medicinal applications over time. Eaten as a pot herb. Used to control erosion. A, C, M.