Wild Attention

Plant ID through the wonder of our senses, not the glowing screens of our smartphones

“Attention is the beginning of devotion.” ~ Mary Oliver, Upstream


Every time I hike in nature, I try to look at the plants and trees outside my door as though for the first time. In winter, I identify trees through the gestures of their branches or the intricate patterns and textures of their bark. In spring, I look closely to determine if the tiny flowers I see on the ground are speedwell, or if the leaves I see in the distance are wild ramps or lily of the valley.

I might explore the scent, feel or taste of a trees’ leaves (if safe, of course), or listen as they rustle in response to a summer breeze. These are just some of the ways I move beyond plant blindness and build intimacy with land. A beginning student of nature might mistake yarrow for Queen Anne’s lace but as they train attention to detail, the flowers and expressions of the plant become entirely unique.

Attention is devotion. Clicking on an app to know the name of a species is not the same.

Photo by James Trenda on Unsplash

Technology insults humans in a similar way. When we see a friend's social media feed we might feel as though we’re in the loop and have caught up with their lives. But it is impossible to know what is going on in their hearts and minds through a screen. Browsing their Instagram posts or even reading their newsletter does not come close to sharing a cup of tea, feeling the warmth of their touch, and listening deeply to what they have to say.

If I am uncertain about a plant or mushroom I intend to forage for food or use as medicine I will triple-check sources, of course. But when deepening intimacy with land, I prefer to get quiet, explore details of species and let nature speak to me. I want to be in conversation with the plants and trees around me. Every living being speaks, but not necessarily in words.

photo from a plant walk in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Photo by Shay Harrington

DON’T TOUCH

Most people are warned about poison ivy’s shiny reddish leaves of three at some point in their lives, even if they have no idea how to identify any other plants. Beyond the wild raspberries I ate every summer as a child, it was this way for me, too at first. And it is this sort of lens that can make wild nature feel like a dangerous place: plants are poisonous, don’t touch. But I’ve since learned that many more plants are edible or medicinal than poisonous (though some can harm you and you should learn how to identify them). I’ve also learned to appreciate poison ivy’s presence. A shapeshifting medicine of attention, poison ivy’s ‘leaves of three’ and camouflaged climbing vines demand that we watch where we’re going and be mindful.

AT RISK SPECIES

Venturing into the world of foraging and wildcrafting is exciting, but it's crucial to understand the potential impact on vulnerable plant life in your region. United Plant Savers is a great resource for this. Their website maintains dynamic lists categorized as "critical," "to watch," and "in review," helping you navigate which species are safe and sustainable to harvest, and which are best to admire and leave alone. By protecting the wild, we protect ourselves. We are all interconnected.

RESOURCES:

While I’m not a huge fan of apps — especially for those starting out — I am a fan of guidebooks. Guidebooks may be more bulky to carry but they train attention to detail. You should be able find great guidebooks at your local bookstore. I often carry these: Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants & Herbs of Eastern & Central N. America and Mushrooms of The Northeast

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INVITATIONS:

Online plant walks are now on the calendar. These seasonal ‘walks’ are free for Weeds, Wolves & Wild Women paid subscribers. I hope you’ll join me for the spring session, Saturday March 30th.

If you’ve been curious about the Rewilding Through Writing groups, you can now sign up for an intro session. I have two spring sessions that begin in April. I’ve added a weekend option as requested!

Nature-writing with Altas Obscura: Together, we’ll strengthen our writing while deepening our relationship to ourselves, our senses, and the environment we’re a part of—and that’s a part of us, too.

New Article:
I have a new article in Oprah Daily. It’s about heeding the call of our inner wild instead of “taming” ourselves with gratitude lists. I realized gratitude lists were working against me when I used them to savor each drop of sweetness in a relationship that had run its course.