Native Plants of the High Line

Wihhinachk

The Lenape word “Wihhinachk” refers to birch trees generally, and the grey birch is a tree found on the High Line in the Gansevoort Woodland, as well as the Chelsea Grasslands, Chelsea Thicket, and Wildflower Field sections. They feature standard  grey birches  as well as the “ whitespire ” variety. The grey birch is a deciduous tree native to the northeastern United States. The bark does not peel as easily as its cousin, the paper birch, and is a darker grey and smoother. They grow tall and slender. The bark is traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee as a hemorrhoid remedy.

blazing star

Blazing stars, or spiked gayfeathers, are perennial flowering plants native to the eastern United States. It is an important pollinator plant that is found in the wild in prairies and meadows. They bloom in the late summer and can be  found on the High Line  in the Washington Grasslands and Chelsea Grasslands sections. They are tall plants with striking purple flowers.

hyssopleaf thoroughwort

Hyssopleaf thoroughwort is a blooming herbaceous plant native to the eastern and south-central United States. It features clusters of small white flowers that bloom in the fall. On the High Line you can find these plants in the Hudson River Overlook and Diller-von Furstenberg Sundeck sections.

Matapipalinko

 Matapipalinko  is a flowering perennial native to much of the United States that typically grows in wet areas like in swamps and along the banks of rivers and streams. They grow up to 4 feet tall and produce deep red flowers in the summer. The Lenape use the roots to treat typhoid. The Haudenosaunee have many uses for the plant including as a treatment for pain (using the roots), to treat epilepsy and fever sores, and even as a wash for love medicine, among many other uses. It can be found on the High Line today in the Diller-von Furstenberg Sundeck.

boneset

Boneset is a flowering perennial native to to the eastern and central United States. It was one of the plants that was found growing on the abandoned High Line prior to its reuse as a public park. It was one of the most frequent plants at that time. The Lenape use its roots and occasionally leaves to treat chills and fevers. The Shinnecock use the plant to treat colds and fevers, as well as in an infusion to cause perspiring. The Haudenosaunee have a number of known uses, which include but are not limited to treating stomach pains, rashes, fevers, in a compound to treat broken bones. Additionally the Haudenosaunee use boneset in divination ceremonies. It can now be found on the High Line in the Northern Spur Preserve.

Mahkhalahpis

 Mahkhalahpis  is the Lenape word for non-edible milkweeds. One of the types of milkweed on the  High Line is the purple milkweed , which is a flowering herbaceous plant that is native to the eastern and central United States. It is named after its purple flowers, which start out pink but darken as they mature. It is often planted to attract butterflies, in particular monarch butterflies. While New York State has the largest population of purple milkweed, it is considered  threatened in the state,  as well as endangered in Massachusetts and Wisconsin and of special concern in Connecticut and Tennessee. It can be found on the High Line in the 10th Avenue Square, and blooms in May and June.

american bittersweet

American bittersweet is a perennial vine that blooms in June and is native to central and easterns United States. It has small scentless flowers and pea-sized orange fruits that are poisonous to humans when ingested. The Lenape use the roots of american bittersweet as a salve to treat skin issues, and for consumption. The Haudenosaunee have many uses for american bittersweet including as an abortifacient and for issues following childbirth, the leaves and stems as a diuretic, and as a wash on the lips and gums of teething children, among others. The High Line features the “Bailumn” variety, and you can find the vine in the Chelsea Grasslands.

Puhwèsënakw

 Puhwèsënakw  is a plant native to most of the United States and Europe. It is a small shrub with small white flowers and dark purple berries. It blooms in late spring, and fruits in late autumn. The berry itself is referred to as  puhwèsënàkwim  by the Lenape. The leaves of the subspecies “canadensis” is used by the Lenape as a blood purifier, the bark could be applied to sores and other skin wounds, the flowers are made into an infusion for infants with colic, among other uses. The Haudenosaunee use the bark of the subspecies for headaches, the flowers can be used ceremonially with corn seeds before planting, leaves as a poultice for all kinds of swellings, among many others. Additionally the fruit is a food source for the Haudenosaunee, used in sauces, cakes, dried and made into meals. On the High Line you can find the “black lace” variety, with dark leaves and pink flowers, in the Chelsea Thicket. 

Sakwënakanimunshi

 Sakwënakanimunshi  is a flowering shrub native to many eastern, central, and southern states. It has small white flowers and dark fruit, which are eaten by birds after frost. The root bark is used by the Lenape as a reproductive aid. Today you can find it planted in the Chelsea Thicket.

winterberry

The winterberry is a species of holly native to the eastern half of the United States. It is a deciduous shrub, with red berries in the winter. The Haudenosaunee have many uses for the shrub, for example the bark can be taken as an emetic, and the roots can be used to treat hay fever. The High Line has the “red sprite” “southern gentleman” and “Jim Dandy” varieties planted in the Gansevoort Woodland Chelsea Thicket and the 23rd Street Lawn.

wild ginger

Wild ginger is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the eastern half of the United States. It blooms in the spring, and it grows in short clumps, typically in the under story of forests. The Haudenosaunee use wild ginger to treat many ailments, for example the roots could be used to treat headaches and fevers, and the plant can be used to prevent nausea and for coughs. Additionally there are some uses of the plant to protect people from bad dreams, spirits, and powers. On the High Line it can be found on the Philip A. and Lisa Maria Falcone Flyover.

Këlëkënikànakw

 Këlëkënikànakw  is a flowering tree native to the eastern and central United States. It is grown ornamentally for its foliage, which turns from dark green to brilliant orange in the gall. In the summer it has small yellow flowers, followed by red clusters of berries that remain in the winter. The Lenape have many uses for the plant, including using the leaves and roots to cleanse and treat skin, the berries as a mouthwash and the leaves and roots are used in a tobacco mixture ( këlëkënikàn ) for ceremonies. Këlëkënikànakw was one of the plants that grew wild on the High Line prior to its reconstruction, however it was one of the more infrequent plants. You can find them currently in the Philip A. and Lisa Maria Falcone Flyover section of the High Line.

bigleaf aster

Bigleaf aster is a perennial flower, native to the eastern United States, that flowers in the late summer and early fall. Its flowers usually are violet or deep lavender, but some have white flowers. The Haudenosaunee use the roots of these plants as a laxative and as a blood medicine. The “twilight” variety of this species can be found on the High Line in the Wildflower Field, Crossroads, and Rail Track Walks sections.

Memekas Nehënawlachi

 Memekas nehënawlachi,  another milkweed, is known for attracting butterflies and is a perennial plant with orange or yellow flowers native to most of the United States. It has hairy stems that, unlike other milkweeds, are not milky when broken. The Lenape use the roots in a drink for women after childbirth and to treat rheumatism. The Haudenosaunee use the roots in a wash applied to legs and arms for strength. It is found on the High Line in the Wildflower Field and 34th Street Plaza.

white heath aster

The white heath aster is a flower that is native to most of the United States. It has white flowers with yellow centers that bloom in clusters on the plant in late summer. It was found frequently on the High Line prior to the construction, and now can be found in the Northern Spur Preserve, Wildflower Field, and Interim Walkway sections of the park.

seaside goldenrod

Seaside goldenrod, a relative of  wisaòtaèk , is an herbaceous perennial native to the southern coast of and eastern United States. It is a tall plant, growing up to 6 feet in height, with yellow flowers that bloom in the later summer and well into fall. As its name suggests it often grows on coasts, on sand dunes, salt marshes and the banks of estuaries, and is very tolerant of salt spray and saline soil. It was found on the High Line prior to the reconstruction, however it was not a frequent plant. Today you can find it planted in the Interim Walkway.

prairie fleabane

Prairie fleabane is native to almost the entire continental United States. It is a flowering plant in the daisy family. One plant can produce up to 200, but more typically 50-100, flowers on spindly stems. It was a plant that appeared frequently on the High Line prior to reconstruction and can now be found in the Interim Walkway.

early goldenrod

Early goldenrod is another goldenrod found on the High Line. It was also present, but not frequent, on the High Line prior to reconstruction and is native to the eastern half of the United States. The leaves are used by the Lenape as a treatment for fever and an antidiarrheal. The Haudenosaunee also used the plant to treat nausea, fevers, and jaundice. It can be found on the High Line in the Interim Walkway.

New York aster

The New York aster is a later flowering plant native to the northeastern United States. It has blue pink or white flowers. There were a few found on the High Line wildly, and now can be found in the Interim Walkway.

indian hemp

grass-leaved goldenrod

heartleaf aster

eastern showy aster

strawberry bush

blue-stemmed goldenrod

calico aster

northern blazing star

showy goldenrod

swamp sunflower

spreading aster

brome-like sedge

Pëpxòkwës

 Pëpxòkwës. 

nannyberry

coral honeysuckle

american spikenard

smooth aster

fragrant sumac

pennsylvania sedge

swamp milkweed

groundsel bush

flat-topped aster

horsetail

smooth witherod

dwarf lady fern

spreading sedge

white wood aster