Walking to the Metro the other morning, I stopped to examine a tree I pass on the way. Sure enough, the flower bracts were ready for picking. I quickly stuffed a few handfuls in my bag, determined to come back for more later. I didn’t want to miss the chance to stock up on my favorite herbal tea, tilleul (or linden). Little leaf linden trees (Tilia cordata), the European species of linden, are commonly planted along city streets. Their uniform heart-shaped leaves form dense canopies that are both attractive and shady. The flowers appear in June and July, and their honey fragrance is always a delight (bees love them). When dried, they make a pleasing, mild tea that has a calming effect. Perhaps it looks a little strange to be picking my own tea on a residential street (or in front of the library), but I’m not the only forager in an urban environment. There are a number of websites devoted to rediscovering forgotten edibles—plants, mushrooms, and even bugs (my favorite so far is Eat the Planet). I have no intention of hunting grasshoppers, but I’ve been known to collect the sweet, purplish fruit off the neighborhood service berry trees (Amelanchier) when they ripen at the end of June. Why should the birds get all those tasty berries?