A Wild Plant Lady

A Wild Plant Lady Native species educator, but also a librarian, but also a seed library coordinator.
✌🏻 💕 🌿
Mecosta, Michigan Welcome to my journey!

Hello, I'm Danielle, a passionate advocate for native flora and fauna. Six years ago, my daughters and I embarked on an adventure of a lifetime, trading Washington state's familiar landscapes for the diverse beauty of northwest Michigan. Fuelled by my passion for native plants and animals, I'm on a mission to revive my beloved nursery on our picturesque 3.5-acre haven in Branch. As a devoted advocate for these incredible species, I'm dedicated to sharing their secrets and inspiring others to cherish their vital role in sustaining a healthy ecosystem. Through this platform, I'll share knowledge, spark inspiration, and raise awareness about the importance of preserving our natural world for future generations.

12/27/2025

Botanical term of the day: MARCESCENCE

Marcescence is the biological process where a small minority of deciduous trees (and shrubs), like this american beech, retain their dead, dried leaves as a defense mechanism to protect emerging buds from deer and harsh weather.

I like to call these leaves “ghost leaves.” 👻 🍂

This process is also seen in oaks, witch hazel, hornbeams, and spicebushes.

12/22/2025

Snow fleas, or Hypogastrura nivicola, are not fleas at all but are actually a species of springtail.

These tiny arthropods “spring” about in the snow, won’t bite, and are not parasitic like real fleas. Instead they help with the decomposition of decaying organic matter which means they’re incredibly beneficial to the ecosystem!

These were spotted at Bowman Lake in Lake County, Michigan.

HAPPY WINTER! Go for a hike and find some springtails!

12/19/2025

Witch hazel blooms around the end of November. When everything else is sleeping, this large shrub (small tree?) is out there putting on a show! And surprisingly, the hamamelis virginiana is a host plant to a whopping 63 species of butterflies and moths! 😱

12/18/2025

Don’t forget to plan what native plants you’re winter sowing next month!

12/09/2025

Want to learn more about conservation efforts in the Mid Michigan area? Become a Conservation Steward through this awesome program! You can learn about prairies, forests, wetlands, and more!

12/09/2025

Do you see it? 👀

Here’s one reason not to burn or mulch your yard leaves in autumn. Attached to this fallen oak leaf is the cocoon of a Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea Polyphemus). Polyphemus Moth caterpillars are adapted to feed on a wide variety of native trees, including oaks, elms, dogwoods, hickories, maples, or willows. In late summer, the caterpillars form a cocoon to pupate, but they do so in different ways. Some caterpillars form a cocoon that dangles from a twig or leaf stalk. Others curl up a leaf and pupate within a cocoon on the inside and then drop to the ground when the leaf falls. Others crawl to the ground and simply pupate within the leaf litter. It’s just another great reason to spread your leaves unharmed in planting beds or a wild space around your yard to help local wildlife. Next spring, a beautiful Polyphemus Moth will emerge from this cocoon in the leaf litter.

See a Polyphemus Moth and their dangling cocoon in the comments.

11/29/2025

Wildlife needs our help! 🚨

11/29/2025

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Who is Honest Roots Permaculture?

Hey, folks! My name is Danielle and I am the brain behind Honest Roots Permaculture. I am a permaculture gardening, foraging, earth loving, homeschooling, mother of two whose goal in life is to inspire people to live sustainably by growing gardens in place of lawns and planting food forests in place of monocultures (i.e. conventional farms).

Having been interested in plants since I was a small child, my wish is to bring knowledge to anyone who is open to learn what I have to offer. I believe wholeheartedly that we as humans should be more in touch with our roots by growing our own organic food and medicine, using the Earth as a guide.

All of the plants that I grow are heirloom (usually native to my region), grown organically, and never genetically modified or hybridized. All of my herbal products are also organic and non-gmo.