What in the Woods Is That?

Play our biweekly guessing game!

Whatever draws us into the forest—be it birdwatching or logging, hiking or hunting—all of us are unified by the sense of wonder we feel in the outdoors. The forests, fields, and streams of our region are full of mystery, and if you stop and look closely, you’ll see all sorts of oddities.

Below find a picture of one such woodlands curio. Guess what it is and you’ll be eligible to win a Northern Woodlands woodpecker magnet designed by artist Liz Wahid. A prize winner will be drawn at random from all the correct entries. The correct answer, and the winner’s name, will appear when the next column is posted and in our newsletter (sign up here!).

Radical Root

This root was dug up in a Vermont forest. It’s edible, has the consistency of a radish, and is quite delicious. What is it?

Answer

Indian cucumber root.

The Indian cucumber plant has a crunchy white root that grows parallel to the surface of the ground. The root has a light, fresh flavor, and can be dug up in the northeastern woods May through June. Look for Indian cucumber (Medola virginiana) in moist woods, growing about 1 to 2 feet high.

This week’s winner is Krysta Zambroski, who likes to dig up said roots with children at the Ferry Beach Ecology School in Maine.

This week’s contest winner was Krysta Zambroski of Saco, ME