I can’t find my way out of the cheese aisle at Freddy’s, but I think I just found the forest moon Endor. As you can see from the feature photo for this post, I’ve accidentally stumbled upon it. Here’s how to get there: walk aimlessly through my neighborhood, take a sharp right, and then a left, and then leave the sidewalk when you get distracted by some strange-looking plants. Walk straight into the swampy, grassy area, and there you are, you lucky Rebel Alliance wanderer! That’s what my neighbor friend and I did a few days ago on a walk, and I was so struck by these plants that I had to take a picture—but also, I was afraid an Ewok, drunk from Tsiraki, would spear me. No such thing happened, but I did check the sky for hang-gliding mammaloids.
In any case, these plants are horsetails, and I love them. I’m not supposed to because they are pests for gardeners. They have a habit of encroaching on everything, but I think they give the neighborhood a much-needed touch of whimsy. Also, I like to greet them by saying, “Giddy-up, lil’ partners.” And they just sit there, blowing lightly in the wind, all bristled up as if to say, “Don’t even think about puttin’ a saddle on me.”
Not sure if it’s normal to think, “How would these taste in a soup?” but I did think that thought, and I did perform an extra-special search online. A recipe appeared—but it also calls for purple dead nettle, which I do believe grows in the state of Washington, where I live. I’m not sure if it grows near the Endor section of my neighborhood, though. (Why can’t these things just morph through portals and land right next to one another?!)
The soup recipe I found looks good, though I have yet to try it. I’m hoping it pairs well with a nice tall glass of Tsiraki or a Tatooine Sunrise—make mine a double. It’s been a long day on the ranch.
(Happy Easter, to all who celebrate!)
Your Turn: What interesting plants grow in your neck of the woods?
Fixin' Leaks and Leeks 
Thanks for the detailed navigation! Should be no trouble following,
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Who needs GPS?
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Let us know how that soup turns out if you find some nettles to go in the pot with the horsetail!
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I sure will–if I’m brave enough to trust myself to pick non-poisonous horsetails, though I’m not sure if there’s a poisonous version?
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You’re a Star Wars insider!
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I’m on Ewok patrol.
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Those are wild, and I am impressed that your first thought was, “Can I eat it?” Way to be adventurous! I especially am pleased that you walk through the ‘hood with a neighbor. That sounds delightful–so were all the SW refs! 😛
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I have a lovely neighbor to walk with on Tuesdays. It’s lots of fun!
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That’s so cool. 🙂
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Oh, I wouldn’t trust myself to forage right plants that won’t kill me.
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I wouldn’t trust myself, either, so I probably should think twice before making a soup with horsetails.
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😁
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I found out the other day that many people in Adelaide grow roses which flower twice a year. They bloom in spring and also in autumn. I’ve never really noticed a second flowering before, especially in autumn when most plants are turning colour and dropping leaves.
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I had no idea that some roses could bloom twice. How lovely!
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I was surprised that I’d reached my age and didn’t realise there were rose varieties which flowered more than once a year.
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I hear dandelions are good in salad but I’ve never tried using them—the rabbits usually beat me to it!
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A neighbor once showed my mom how to make dandelion jam when I was a little girl, and we had jars of it, but I don’t recall that I liked it.
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The horsetail fern is really an interesting plant. It’s one of those extremely long-lasting genetically species–350 million years! Like Crocodiles. I love that you mentioned them.
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