Category: Garden weeds

Barbarea vulgaris Brassicaceae This species gets its common name because it is very hardy and in milder areas it often remains green throughout the winter. It is often common in … Read More

Montia perfoliata The plant got its common name because gold miners commonly ate it during the 1849 California gold rush. Before that event it was known as Indian Lettuce or … Read More

Amaranthus species Amaranthaceae These are very common garden weeds in this country, but in South America, they were widely cultivated as an important grain crop, as well as a potherb. … Read More

Sonchus species Asteraceae These useful food plants are more closely related to the Lettuces (Lactuca) than to other Thistles. They are nutritious (rich in vitamins A and C) and no … Read More

Stellaria media Caryophyllaceae It has been suggested that Chickweed may be the commonest plant on earth. It has spread far from its native Eurasia and is now found around the … Read More

Plantago major  Plantaginaceae This species has followed European explorers and settlers all around the world. This fact was not unnoticed by indigenous people in several countries, who named the plant … Read More

Phytolacca americana Phytolaccaceae Caution: The young spring shoots have been called the most widely used American wild green food. They are sometimes cultivated and even canned commercially. So it is … Read More

Taraxacum officinale Throughout                                                      Asteraceae Dandelion is a familiar plant to many urban and suburban dwellers. The acquaintance is usually pretty superficial though, often just how to recognize and kill it. … Read More

Malva species Throughout                                                    Malvaceae Strictly speaking no wild member of the Malva genus is poisonous, and any species you find can be tried as food. However at least one species … Read More

Portulaca oleracea Throughout                                                 Portulacaceae Purslane is native to the warmer parts of Eurasia, but has made itself at home in most countries of the world (including most of North America). … Read More