Penny Cress (Photos)
Thlaspi arvense
To 30 in. (75 cm)
Herb has lance-shaped leaves. Flattened fruits are notched at the tip. Cook leaves in 2 changes of water. |
Prickly Lettuce (Photos)
Lactuca serriola
To 5 ft. (1.5 m)
Prickly, scalloped leaves are lance-shaped. Small flowers resemble dandelions. Eat leaves raw or cooked. Older leaves are bitter and should be cooked in 2 changes of water. |
Shepherd's Purse (Photos)
Capsella bursa-pastoris
To 16 in. (40 cm)
Widespread weed is named for its flattened, heart-shaped seed pods. Peppery leaves are good raw or cooked. Seeds are good roasted. Ginger-like roots can be dried and used as a seasoning. |
Cheeseweed (Photos)
Malva parviflora
To 3 ft. (90 cm)
Young leaves are good in salads. Flowers have notched petals. Seed clusters resemble small cheese rounds and can be eaten raw or cooked. |
Pickerelweed (Photos)
Pontederia cordata
To 4 ft. (1.2 m)
Aquatic plant has a dense spike of blue flowers. Eat young leafstalks in salads. Egg-shaped fruit capsules contain edible seeds. |
Curly Dock (Photos)
Rumex crispus
To 4 ft. (1.2 m)
Large leaves have curled or wavy edges.. Flowers are succeeded by small, heart-shaped, winged seeds. Sour-tasting leaves are a thirst-quenching trail snack and a tasty addition to any dish calling for cooked greens.
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Labrador Tea (Photos)
Ledum groenlandicum
To 30 in. (75 cm)
Leaves have rolled edges and are rust-collored and hairy below. White flowers bloom in large clusters. Use dried leaves in tea. |
Fireweed (Photos)
Chamerion angustifolium
To 10 ft. (3 m)
Very common in open woodlands. Eat leaves and flowers. |
Asparagus (Photos)
Asparagus officinalis
To 6 ft. (1.8 m)
Erect flowering branchlets (spears)are familiar to most. Slice off young plants near base and they will regrow. |
Pigweed (Photos)
Amaranthus retroflexus
To 6 ft. (1.8 m)
Coarse gerb has leaves that are widest near the base. Flowers bloom in long spikes at the junction of stalks and leaf stems. Seeds are nutritious and make an excellent meal. Leaves can be prepared like spinach. |
Mustard (Photos)
Brassica spp.
To 4 ft. (1.2 m)
Leafy plant |
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