Wild Edibles

by Madiem Kawa

Discovering the sweet and tangy taste of the serviceberry opened my eyes to the delights of the wild.   Birds benefit from the shelter and food they provide, and I was surprised by the fruit’s culinary potential.  It won’t be long before the foliage turns deep red in autumn reminding us that summer is gone and winter snow covers the bare branches as they await spring’s arrival.

In July, friends and I went on our first serviceberry-picking excursion. Nature was in full swing.  The water was alive with colonies of swarming tadpoles. Sounds of bullfrogs filled the air while a great blue heron perched across the way. Nearby fishermen were anticipating a bite. With a pruner and bucket in hand, we nibbled, talked and picked a half bushel as  a passersby looked on with a curious gaze.  Later at home, I prepared homemade pancake batter and scooped  in a cup of serviceberries. Unlike blueberries, the fruit seems to melt into the batter, adding its sweet and tangy flavor. I paired the meal with scrambled eggs and orange juice. After one bite, my family instantly became serviceberry fans. The fruit resembles blueberries but serviceberries are smaller with a tangier taste. Tasty eaten raw, they can be preserved to make jam, muffins and pies. Like blueberries, the deep purple, small fruits have loads of anthocyanins and other antioxidants.

Native to the United States, Amelanchier (serviceberry) is a deciduous small tree or tall shrub that can grow from 15 to 25 feet tall. I prefer the multi-stemmed variety, which is more ornamental than the upright version. Pollinated by bees, the fragrant spring blooms of white flowers droop before the leaves appear. The beautiful bark is smooth with a touch of grey. The bark becomes scaly with age and the dark green foliage turns a striking wine, red and orange hue in autumn. Once established, the serviceberry is happy growing in drought, sun, shade, or part shade.

During my 2006 treekeeper class, Jim DeHorn, Treekeeper Organizer from Openlands, first introduced me to the serviceberry tree. In the same class, on a tree identification walk I had the rare opportunity to join the late Dr. George Ware, dendrologist emeritus from the Morton Arboretum. His memorable comment, “I would like to see more people plant small trees,” left an impression. The serviceberry is on my top five list of favorite small trees. Gardeners should explore the possibility of planting them in a natural landscape, a fruit orchard or as prominent specimens. 

Serviceberry Pancakes

Recipe: Homemade Serviceberry Pancakes

Ingredients

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup milk

1 egg

1 tablespoon cooking oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup serviceberry fruit

Directions

Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately. Then mix all ingredients together.

Cook in lightly oiled frying pan and serve with syrup of your choice. Maple and

lingonberry syrups are my personal favorites.

Outdoor Classroom at Dyett

          

Before Planting

After overcoming timeline hurdles, the wildlife garden at Walter H Dyett High School is well on the way to completion. On June 11, 2011, fourteen volunteers installed more than one thousand indigenous plants in a garden that covers nearly 1000 square feet on the east side of the school near the corner of 51st & St Lawrence.                                                                                                                                      

After Planting

The plants were selected to tolerate partial shade, drought and innocent adolescent abuse.  Prairie plantsʼ extensive root systems allow them to be self-reliant by replenishing the soil with organic matter. The plants were selected for various heights, hues and textures for seasonal diversity and to attract wildlife.  The variety of scents and hues of periwinkle, crimson and indigo will create an open invitation for swallowtails, finches and  bumblebees to visit the garden. The stunning wavy wall border built by Carl Erickson of Outback Design and Construction Co.  extends the entire length of the garden -- 136 feet -- and produces  the illusion of a river stream. See our flickr page for more images.

Dyett Student's Mosaic Artwork

Later this year, Janine Favia, Dyettʼs art teacher, will work with students on the mosaic tile design project to accent the wall’s border.   Students will personalize their mosaic artwork to read like treasured stories in historic quilts.   Janine was
inspired to develop such a garden on a lackluster school wall to use as an outdoor classroom to teach students about art, ecology and good stewardship.

One of fourteen volunteers planting on June 11, 2011

Volunteers chatting on planting day, June 11, 2011

                                                                          

The Washington Park Conservancy is deeply grateful to the Southeast Chicago Commission for the generous grant  that makes this garden

Principal, Robert M. McMiller on planting day

 possible.  Additionally, the Conservancy offers thanks to the Hyde Park Garden Fair Committee and the Chicago Botanic Garden for donating plants to the project.
The Chicago Park District provided seeds and tools, and Carol Gittler provided more tools.
More thanks goes out to all of the volunteers including DePaul's Day of Service and U of C's Men of Service.  Special thanks are due to Dyettʼs Principal, Robert M. McMiller for approving the project, and to Fourth Ward Alderman, Will Burns, for his enthusiastic interest and support.

The plants were purchased from the Possibility Place.  View the slide bars on this blog to find information about native plants and wildlife.

Madiem Kawa

Washington Park Conservancy

Washington Park saved from an ill-considered "restoration"