Geranium maculatum – Wild Geranium
Continue to monitor Wild Geranium into June.
Wild Geranium has sword shaped seed heads that shoot seeds away from the plant once they are fully ripened, leaving a chandelier shaped structure behind. Track the progress of the seed heads, and when they turn dark brown or black, clip the whole head before the seeds have launched and place in a paper bag. If you leave the bag on your desk or counter you can usually hear them ‘pop’.
Wild Geranium Species Info
Geum triflorum – Prairie Smoke
Continue to monitor Prairie Smoke into June.
Prairie Smoke’s pink wispy flowers give way to feathery seeds which turn tan as they are ready to collect. They can be plucked off of the seed head to be stored.
Prairie Smoke Species Info
Senecio aureus – Golden Ragwort
Continue to monitor Golden Ragwort into June.
Golden ragwort can cause skin reactions for many people, so it is advised to wear protective gear when touching it. Seeds are ready to be harvested when the flower turns to a puffball of seeds, at which time they can be snipped, shaken off of the stem, or pulled free.
Golden Ragwort Species Info
Phlox divertica – Woodland Phlox
There are many cultivars of this species. Please be sure of what you are collecting. After flowers are spent, seed capsules will form and ripen. Collect when capsules turn brown and begin to dry, but before they eject seeds. Clip seed heads and dry in a paper bag.
Aquilegia canadensis – Eastern Red Columbine
Seed pods turn upward and turn brown as the seeds inside become viable. When viable, the pods slowly zip open and release extremely slippery black seeds. To collect, shake seeds from pods or snip the entire seed head into a paper bag.
Lupinus perennis – Wild/Sundial Lupine
Wild Lupine has invasive lookalikes, namely Large-leaved Lupine which is native only to the western United States. See this article from the National Parks Service to help you in identification.
Once you identify a native Sundial Lupine, the seeds will be ready when the pods dry and darken. Collect the seed pods before they split and eject their seeds. Store seed pods in a paper bag to allow the pods release the seed indoors.
Stylophorum diphyllum – Wood Poppy
Wood Poppy has an invasive lookalike, Greater Celandine. Please be sure to identify the species before collection. Large, bristled seed pods emerge some time after blooms are spent. Remove seed pods from the plant only when they start to open and promptly separate the seed from the pods and add to moist sand in order to keep the seeds moist.
Wood Poppy Species Info
Caltha palustris – Marsh Marigold
Star shaped pods contain small seeds that can be shaken into a paper bag once the pods open. After collection, move seeds to moist sand as seeds must remain moist to be viable.
Fragaria virginiana – Wild Strawberry
First, ensure that you have found Wild Strawberries and not Mock Strawberries (Potentilla indica).
Allow berries to ripen fully on the plant before picking. Mash gently and rinse in a fine sieve to separate seeds. Dry seeds thoroughly on a paper towel before storing.
Wild Strawberry Species Info