Seasonal radar

What's in season in January

Harvest windows vary with altitude and weather. Always confirm identity in person, check local foraging rules, and take only a small portion.

Illustration of Pine needles

Pine needles

Pinus strobus / P. sylvestris / P. edulis

Harvest: Needles

Conifer woods (pinyon in the Southwest; white, lodgepole and ponderosa pine in the Pacific Northwest)

Season: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec

Found in: Northeast US & Eastern Canada · Southeast US · Midwest US & Prairie Provinces · Southwest US · Pacific Northwest & British Columbia · West Coast & California

History, medicine, folklore & nutrition

Many Indigenous peoples of North America made tea from conifer needles in winter. Pinyon pines in the Southwest also gave pine nuts, a major food for Indigenous peoples for thousands of years.

Evergreens were brought indoors at midwinter across Europe as a sign that life would return — the roots of the Christmas tree.

Used as medicine in the past for

  • Preventing scurvy — Native peoples shared pine tea with sick explorers
  • Coughs and colds, as tea or steam

Read the research

These plants were used as medicine in the past. This is shared to help you learn — it is not medical advice. Some plants can hurt you or mix badly with medicines. Always talk to a doctor before using any plant as medicine, especially if you are pregnant, a child, or take other medicines.

Sources: USDA PLANTS Database

Historical and folk uses are shared for learning, not as medical advice.

How it's used

EdibleHerbal tea

Lookalikes — compare before picking

Yew is deadly and looks similar — learn the difference. Avoid ponderosa pine in pregnancy.

Watch out in January

These poisonous plants are likely out now in the Northeast US & Eastern Canada — often right next to the plants above. Never touch, pick or eat them.

Illustration of poisonous Pacific yewDanger

Pacific yew

Taxus brevifolia / T. canadensis

Needles and seeds are deadly; a handful of needles can stop the heart.

Grows near / mistaken for: Fir, spruce and pine needles used for tea.

How to tell: Flat dark needles with pale green undersides, no resin smell, red fleshy berry-like cups. No cones.

Seen: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

If someone swallows a plant they shouldn't have, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US), 1-844-764-7669 (Canada) or 911 right away.

Not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before using plants if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, giving to children, taking medications, or have a health condition. Never harvest protected species.