New Canaan Nature Center
|
|
40 acres of diverse habitats, including wet and dry meadows and woodlands, 2 ponds, dense thickets, an old orchard, and a cattail marsh, plus 2 miles of trails, make this former estate a great place for summer foraging. Common edible "weeds" such as Asiatic dayflower, mullein, chickweed, wood sorrel, sheep sorrel, Asiatic dayflower, lamb's-quarters, and purslane will abound, and we'll look for trees and shrubs such as sassafras, spicebush, and black birch. The berry season is in full swing, so we'll be on the lookout for luscious wineberries, tart smooth sumac, piquant wild blueberries and huckleberries, flavorful wild blackberries, and bittersweet black cherries. |
 These trailing, sweet, blackberries, which begin to ripen in late July, are among the tastiest of brambles. |
|
With enough rain beforehand, choice edible mushrooms such as gourmet boletes, prized chanterelles, gigantic chicken mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, parasol mushrooms, black trumpets, russulas, and others species should also be around.
|
 King Bolete These prized, gourmet mushroom comes up in woodlands in the US and Europe every summer. |
|
The 2-hour walking tour begins at 2 PM, Saturday, July 31, at the New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Ridge, in New Canaan, CT.
|
|
Call (203) 966-9577 at least 24 hours ahead to reserve a place.
|