Page 52 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Chickweed, Stellaria media

(CARYOPHYLLACEAE)

CHICKWEED is a tiny mat-forming plant, found in dis-
turbed sites, meadows, and lawns. It grows on fleshy,
weak stems that creep across the ground up to 25 inch-
es (65 cm) long. Its fine hairs found only on one side of
its stem in a single band distinguish it from similar less
palatable plants.
FLOWER: The tiny, ⅛-¼ inch (0.3-0.6 cm) blossoms
have 5 white, deeply-clefted petals, making it look like
there may be 10 petals.
LEAF: Leaves are opposite, bright green, oval shaped,
and ¼-1 ¼ inches (0.6-3 cm) in size. CHICKWEED SANDWICH: Gather with scissors or

EDIBLE PARTS: seedpods, flowers, leaves, stems gently pinch the top 2 inches (5 cm) of upright grow-
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Externally, may treat wounds ing chickweed stems. Rinse and dry. Top your favorite
and arthritic pain. Internally, may help constipation and sandwich with this crunchy and nutritious tiny salad.
kidney issues. WARNING: Chickweed contains saponins and can be
toxic in very large quantities.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: The top few inches of
the stems are tender and the most palatable. They can POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Scarlet Pimpernel, Ana-
be eaten fresh in, steamed, added to soups and broths, gallis arvensis - edible but poisonous in large quanti-
or dried and used as a tea. They are best in spring ties and not nice tasting.
and even in summer, if the weather is not too hot.

Chicory, Cichorium
intybus (ASTERACEAE)

CHICORY is an herbaceous perennial growing up to 3
ft. (1 m) tall from one long taproot. It is often found bor-
dering roadsides and in disturbed ground. It does not
tend to colonize natural areas.
FLOWER: Flower heads grow at the ends of stems in
spike-like or branching form, widely spaced, alternat-
ing up along the flower stalk. They are blue to pur-
ple, about 1.5 inches (4 cm) across, in numerous ray
florets. Seeds are mottled brown with angled edges.
LEAF: Leaves are alternate, 8 inches (20 cm) long and 2
inches (5 cm) wide, starting with a basal rosette, and can or cooked and are less bitter when harvested before
be lobed, but not quite symmetrical. the plant is in flower.
EDIBLE PARTS: flowers, leaves, roots SAUTÉED CHICORY GREENS: Gather young leaves
KEY MEDICINAL USES: May aid digestion, wound heal- and wash well. Chop 1 small onion and 1 garlic clove
ing, stimulate appetite, relieve pain, and is high in inulin, and sauté until soft. Add greens and stir. Season to
a dietary fiber. taste with salt. Serve warm.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Roots can be roasted and WARNING: Harvesting chicory from unpolluted sites
used as a coffee substitute, or as a parsnip-like vegeta- and not overindulging is recommended. The milky
ble (much nicer when young). Leaves can be eaten raw sap may cause skin irritation.

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