There is a shrub in northern High Park which has red stalks. It was originally called Redroot and the dry savanna here is perfect habitat.
Tea was a bit scarce before the American Revolution (after all, imported tea tariffs helped lead to the start of the war), so a tea-like drink was made from the leaves of this shrub. Leaves were gathered when the plant was in full boom and thoroughly dried in the shade and then used like oriental tea. It does not have caffeine. Eventually the plant name was changed to New Jersey Tea. It is abundant in the old field just to the east of the northern automobile entrance to High Park.
Other botany in this field:
NATURE POETRY
When the heat like a mist veil floats,
And poppies flame in the rye,
And the silver note in the streamlet’s throat
Has softened almost to a sigh. It is July. – Susan Hartley Swett (1843-1907)
Miles Hearn