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Stellaria media.jpg  StellariaMedia001.JPG  File:Chickweed (aka).jpg 

 

NAME: Chickweed

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Stellaria Media / Caryophyllaceae

COMMON NAME(S): chickenwort, craches, maruns, winterweed

CONDITIONS: cool-cold weather, sun-shade, moist
 

PARTS:

EDIBLE cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

  

 

 

 

Shoots

 

 

 

 

Leaves

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

 bitter/sour

RAW/DRY/COOK

Fall-Spring

Buds/Flowers

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

 bitter/sour

RAW/DRY/COOK

Fall-Spring

Fruits

 

 

 

 

Roots

        

Seeds

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

 bitter/sour

RAW/DRY/COOK

Fall-Spring

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Pods

 

 

 

 

Stalk

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

 bitter/sour

RAW/DRY/COOK

Fall-Spring

Bark

 

 

 

 

PORTION:  small-medium

COMMENT:  Love it boiled in water with salt to taste. It has a delicate texture and flavor, somewhat like spinach. Raw, not such much, because of the saponins. 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)

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)
  9. https://recipesfromthewild.wordpress.com/chickweed