Laramie, Wyoming

In season now

• Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

  Where: Riparian zones, draws, and lower-elevation shrublands throughout the Laramie Basin; common along Medicine Bow River tributaries.

  Dark purple-black berries in dense clusters; harvest when fully dark (late August through mid-September). Eat raw or cook into jam; seeds contain cyanogenic compounds, so spit pits or cook thoroughly to break them down.

  Look-alikes: Black currant berries are smaller and lack the dense cluster arrangement; pin cherry (Prunus pennsylvanica) has smaller, brighter red fruit and is less common at this elevation.

• Serviceberry / Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia)

  Where: Foothills, canyon bottoms, and mixed-shrub communities; abundant in the Snowy Range foothills west of Laramie.

  Small, dark blue-purple berries with a waxy bloom; ripe now through September. Sweet and mild; eat fresh or dry for winter storage.

  Look-alikes: Hawthorn berries are larger, red, and contain hard seeds; juneberry (Amelanchier) is the same genus but smaller and earlier-ripening.

• Wild plum (Prunus americana)

  Where: Draws, creek bottoms, and disturbed areas in lower valleys; scattered throughout Laramie County.

  Yellow to red stone fruits, 2–3 cm diameter; harvest when soft and fragrant (September). Tart and excellent for jam or dried fruit.

  Look-alikes: Chokecherry is smaller and clustered; wild apricot (rare here) has a larger pit and smoother skin.

• Currants and Gooseberries (Ribes spp.)

  Where: Moist draws, stream margins, and shaded understory; R. cereum (wax currant) and R. inerme (whitestem gooseberry) are common.

  Small berries (red, black, or translucent) in clusters or singles; ripe now through October. Eat raw or cooked; all Ribes are edible.

  Look-alikes: Poison currant does not occur in Wyoming; all local Ribes are safe.

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

  Where: Dry grasslands, roadsides, and disturbed areas throughout the Laramie Basin.

  Feathery, finely divided leaves; flat-topped flower clusters (white, pink, or yellow). Harvest leaves and flowers now; dry for tea or use fresh as a mild digestive and fever remedy.

  Look-alikes: Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) has purple blotches on hairless stems and a musty smell; yarrow is hairy, aromatic, and lacks blotches.

• Lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album)

  Where: Gardens, disturbed ground, and waste areas; common in and around Laramie.

  Triangular, dusty-green leaves with a white mealy coating; young leaves and stems are tender now. Boil or sauté like spinach; high in oxalates, so eat in moderation.

  Look-alikes: Amaranth (Amaranthus) has smoother, more rounded leaves and lacks the mealy coating; both are edible.