Chenopodium bonus-henricus
| Chenopodium bonus-henricus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Chenopodium bonus-henricus (common name: good king henry)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination can be slow, but usually a high percentage will germinate[K]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Division in spring[1]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.
Cultivation: Prefers a fertile humus rich soil in a sunny position[2][3][1]. The plant produces a better quality harvest in the summer if it is grown in light shade[4][K]. A very easily grown plant, it tolerates considerable neglect and succeeds in most soils and situations[3][5][K].
Good King Henry was at one time frequently cultivated in the garden as a perennial vegetable, but it has fallen out of favour and is seldom grown at present[6][7]. About thirty plants can produce a good supply of food for four people[4].
Range: Most of Europe, including Britain, north to Scandanavia, W. Asia, N. America.
Habitat: Rich pastures, farmyards, roadsides etc[8].
Edibility: Young leaves - raw or cooked[9][10][11][2][12][5]. The leaves wilt quickly after picking and so they need to be used as soon after harvesting as possible[4]. They can be used as a potherb[6]. The leaves are best in spring and early summer, the older leaves become tough and bitter[1]. The raw leaves should only be eaten in small quantities, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves can be chopped and used as a small part of mixed salads, though we are not enamoured by their flavour[K]. The cooked leaves make an acceptable spinach substitute, but are best mixed with nicer leaves[K]. The leaves are a good source of iron[13].
Young flowering shoots - cooked[9][14][15][4]. When grown on good soil, the shoots can be as thick as a pencil[6]. When about 12cm long, they are cut just under the ground, peeled and used like asparagus[16]. A very pleasant spring vegetable[K]. The plant is sometimes blanched by excluding the light in order to produce a longer and more succulent shoot, though this practice also reduces the quantity of vitamins in the shots[4][K].
Young flower buds - cooked[5][16]. Considered to be a gourmet food[16], though they are rather small and harvesting any quantity takes quite a while[K].
Seed - ground and mixed with flour then used in making bread etc. The seed is small and fiddly but is easily harvested[K]. It should be soaked in water overnight and thoroughly rinsed before it is used in order to remove any saponins[K].
Medicinal: The herb is emollient, laxative and vermifuge[11][17]. This remedy should not be used by people suffering from kidney complaints or rheumatism[11].
A poultice of the leaves has been used to cleanse and heal chronic sores, boils and abscesses[6][11].
The seed is a gentle laxative that is suitable for children[11].
Usage: Gold/green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[18].
Pollinators: Wind
Notes: A good source of nutritious leaves.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Early Summer-Late Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The leaves and seeds of all members of this genus are more or less edible. However, many of the species in this genus contain saponins, though usually in quantities too small to do any harm. Although toxic, saponins are poorly absorbed by the body and mos
Also Known As: C. esculentus.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Simons, Arthur. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin, 1977.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Vegetables. Macmillan Reference Books, 1995.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Organ, John. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber, 1960.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Loewenfeld, Claire and Philippa Back. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
- ↑ Corbetta, Francisco. The COmplete Book of Fruits and Vegetables. 1985.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.