Latin Name: Cardamine Hirsuta
Description:
A cabbage family herb. It is an annual or perennial plant. It forms a rosette or ring of leaves. It grows to a height of 30 cm and spreads to 30 cm. The stem is erect and the leaves are green and sword shaped. They usually have 3-7 pairs of leaflets. The flowers are pale mauve and small. They have 4 petals. They occur in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruits are 15-25 mm long pods, which are narrow and erect. They are about 1 mm thick. The seeds are brown and with a smooth coat. They are about 1 mm long.
Notes:
As Old English stune, the plant is cited as one of the herbs invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon Nine Herbs Charm, recorded in the 10th century.
Edibility Rating out of 5: 3
Medicinal Rating out of 5: 0
Edible Uses: Leaves and flowers – raw or cooked. A hot cress-like flavour, they are mainly used as a garnish or flavouring in salads etc but are also sometimes used as a potherb. The plant germinates most freely in the autumn and so leaves are usually available all winter.
Resources:
Flickweed grows no higher than 30cms, not 50 cms.
Thank you Terry, I will amend the information right away.
Diego
My email address was incorrect in my first comment.
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Be aware, when mature, the seeds can “flick” off in all directions with the slightest touch, so protect your and your animal friends eyes.