.jpg/513px-Chickweed_(aka).jpg)
.jpg/1920px-Common_chickweed_(25537389872).jpg)
NAME: Chickweed
SPECIES / FAMILY: Stellaria Media / Caryophyllaceae
COMMON NAME(S): chickenwort, craches, maruns, winterweed
CONDITIONS: cool-cold weather, sun-shade, moist
|
PARTS: |
EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW/COOK |
SEASON |
|
All |
|
|
|
|
|
Shoots |
|
|
|
|
|
Leaves |
|
bitter/sour |
RAW/DRY/COOK |
Fall-Spring |
|
Buds/Flowers |
|
bitter/sour |
RAW/DRY/COOK |
Fall-Spring |
|
Fruits |
|
|
|
|
|
Roots |
||||
|
Seeds |
|
bitter/sour |
RAW/DRY/COOK |
Fall-Spring |
|
Nuts |
|
|
|
|
|
Pods |
|
|
|
|
|
Stalk |
|
bitter/sour |
RAW/DRY/COOK |
Fall-Spring |
|
Bark |
|
|
|
|
PORTION: small-medium
COMMENT: Best to forage before it flowers // "Raw, it tastes exactly like corn silk, if you’ve ever tried that. Cooked it is similar to spinach though the texture is different. It can be added to soups or stews, but in the last five minutes to prevent overcooking. Unlike many wild edibles, the chickweed’s stems, leaves, flowers and seeds are all edible. It does hold nitrates and people with allergies to daisies might want to pass it by." (2)
CAUTION: Cook to minimize exposure to saponins and upset stomach. Should not be used during breastfeeding or pregnancy. (1)
NUTRITION/MEDICINAL: "...tastes good and is good for you with ascorbic-acid, beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, niacin, potassium, riboflavin, selenium, thiamin, zinc, copper, and Gamma-linolenic-acid."(2)
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-622/chickweed
- https://altnature.com/gallery/chickweed.htm
LOOK-A-LIKES: related to edible mouse-eared chickweed, and non-edible https://wimastergardener.org/article/spotted-spurge-chamaesyce-euphorbia-maculata
POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: Scarlet Pimpernel https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=anagallis+arvensis (Although listed as edible, concerns about its toxicity require caution)
OTHER USES:
SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):
1. https://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Stellaria+media
2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/chickweed-connoisseurs-2
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaria_media
4. http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/chickweed.html (good photos)
5. https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chickw60.html
6. https://www.tyrantfarms.com/chickweed-recipe-turning-common-weeds-into-gourmet-food (recipes)
7. https://www.growforagecookferment.com/chickweed-pesto (recipes)
8. https://foragerchef.com/chickweed (recipes)
https://recipesfromthewild.wordpress.com/chickweed/