This started out as a very different idea and meandered into a deep fascination of mine, native plant species of my home, New York City. I have always had a great time amusing myself and bothering those around me with plant identification as we walk around this city…or really any city. I don’t know why, I just love knowing what’s around me and all the weird creatures that live in and around these plants. I like thinking about how they used to grow here before taxis and roads and buildings. How they have found a way to adjust and thrive even among the cars and smog and trash tornados. There’s something ancient and awesome about these plants, the way they continue to offer their beauty and utility no matter how much pavement we dump on them.
This illustration features many of my favorites, I love them for their shapes and colors and their super-cool medicinal uses. Next time you see them, say hey for me!
From Left to Right: Cherry Tree / Butterfly Weed / Goldenrod / Jimson Weed / Blue Lupine / Aster / Elder / Milkweed / Cinnamon Fern.
