Edible Natives

Paying attention to the particularities of a community–whether it is made up of plants or people–is an act of love. Being a science illustrator allows me to bring art and science together to grow our understanding of the world we are a part of. My work at the Harrison Center focuses on edible native plants and fungi found here in Indiana. In these paintings, I hope to celebrate the incredible diversity of plants in the community and encourage people to go out into nature and learn more about what plants can teach us.

Our lives are intertwined with plants daily in ways we don’t often consider. With every breath we take, we breathe in oxygen produced by photosynthesis and breathe out carbon dioxide to start the cycle again. Plants feed us, directly and indirectly, through fruits, vegetables, grains, and also by feeding the animals we consume. We build with them, learn from them, eat them, and breathe them. They protect us from natural disasters and changing climate. Plants are not just an aesthetic backdrop – our lives are deeply intertwined with the species surrounding us. Native plants are especially valuable for the unique ways they give back to their ecosystems. These species have spent over hundreds of years adapting to their particular environment and are essential to keeping our communities healthy.

Learning where to find food in the wild safely and what plants you can grow easily in your own space is a great way to connect with your environment and neighbors. I have enjoyed learning more about the rich history of cultivating and collecting edible natives in Indianapolis and throughout the United States.