Hawksbeard
(Crepis) Family
(ASTERACEAE) DAISY
FAMILY
January
2004
Two
Asiatic false hawksbeards, side by side, each with long pointed leaves, a tall
flower stalk, and yellow petaled flowers. Plants get to looking MUCH fuller
than this, but I chose this scrawny specimen because it shows the leaf shape and
plant's growth pattern so well.
The
shallow root allows hawksbeard to grow in cracks in the sidewalk. Notice the more
rounded leaves on this species and a shorter multi-flowered stalk.
You
won't find mention of Hawksbeard in Peterson's Field Guide or hardly any other
edible weed book. There isn't much about it on the internet. But get your harvesting
bucket ready because this time of year hawksbeard is plentiful in fields, ditches
and lawns throughout the temperate regions of the world, it's edible, and it's
delicious. A great way to add chlorophyll, fiber, and "bitters" to your
daily diet, it's right up there with Dandelion and Sow Thistle (all of which are
easily confused in the early stages of growth), and all are available late winter
through spring. This newsletter will give you tips on how to differentiate between
them, but all are choice edibles.
The
few references I've found about Hawksbeard confirm its edibility, with no known
hazards, and I confirm its edibility because I eat it and I'm still here. The
few reference sources I've found recommend to "eat the leaves before it flowers".
But I rarely notice the plant until it flowers. The rosette lies so low to the
ground you could mow over it and not clip a leaf, so it's hard to spot until the
flower stalks shoot up. Then, hawksbeard stands so tall, scrawny and distinctive
in some species, you can't help but notice it in the landscape.
There
are about 200 species of Hawksbeard and they vary in size, height, leaf shape,
etc., but with the same general "signature" (page 2). The species pictured
in this issue is mostly Oriental False Hawksbeard, native to China, Korea and
Japan but now found abundantly throughout the Southeastern US extending from Texas
to Pennsylvania, and Hawaii.
Other
species have similar properties, some are native to N. America, all are said to
be edible. They grow in a variety of soil conditions, from sandy to clay, from
acid to alkaline, in sun to part shade. They are shallow rooted biennials or perennials,
some tolerate freezing weather, and like moisture. Found along the roads, in fields,
yards, gardens and cracks in the wall. Considered invasive, they spread by seed.
Scientific
classification: In
a previous issue we talked about how plants are classified. It's not an exact
science, but it helps in gathering knowledge to have a system whereby people around
the world can share information by scientific name on the plants they find in
their own environment, by whatever common names they might be called. In the case
of Hawksbeard, for example, they all fit the same classification until you get
to the Species (see below):
Kingdom
Plantae -- Plants Subkingdom Tracheobionta -- Vascular plants Superdivision
Spermatophyta -- Seed plants Division Magnoliophyta -- Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida -- Dicotyledons Subclass Asteridae Order Asterales
Family Asteraceae -- Aster family Genus Youngia Cass. -- youngia P
Species --
Each
species is a little different, but what they all have in common is the tell-tale
bud cluster with yellow to orange flowers, borne on a single upright stem, shooting
up from a shallow-rooted rosette, daisy-like flowers, the leaves range from rounded
to "toothed" but do not have pointy spines as does the similar looking
sow thistle.
The
yellow flowers of Asiatic false hawksbeard are not particularly noticeable, but
the bud clusters are distinctive -- bunches of green buds (many turn brown without
opening), a few open blooms (sometimes), and the tell-tale white tufted puff ball
here and there give them an unmistakable "frazzled" look. (Photo is
approx. life size). Stems are green or brown, from 4" to 14" in height.
Need
inspiration on harvesting greens from the wild? Still not an active participant?
Please read this article I foundposted on Atlantic Monthly's website,
Weeds
for the Wise, which paints the most romantic picture of Mediterannean country
folk who still roam the countryside harvesting and preparing their wild winter
greens, and passing the tradition on to their young.
And
while this is not a medical journal, and this is not a medical opinion, because
I am not a medical doctor, I must say I do truly believe that by adding a variety
of young wild greens to one's diet every day, you'll rarely catch a cold or the
flu and bugs won't bother you either. Is this because of the chlorophyll?
Chloryphyll is reputed by some to be the plant equivalent of hemoglobin, to do
all sorts of amazing things: repair damaged cells, cleanse the blood stream, detox
the liver of fatty tissue, improve resistance to cancer, promote cell reproduction,
reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure, increase hemoglobin levels, repair
organs and tissue, chellate certain metallic toxins from the body, strengthen
the immune system, and reduce body odors. Some say nay. Until full research is
in, we'll each have to be our own judge. The pioneer spirit is still needed, so
I'll continue feeding my family and friends weeds for their chlorophyll content.
Cheap medicine. No perscriptions required.
Identification,
Harvest and Preparation: ID tips, slide show and colorful photos are
on Page 2, linked to below.
History,
Botanical info, and Recipes: on Page 3, linked to below.
Information
Exchange : Subscribers and visitors, please add your knowledge of
this weed here--recipes, experiences, anecdotes, questions, opinions.
(A unique thread is posted with every issue to gather more information.
Please do check out our Wild
Edibles Info Exchange.
P.S. While this
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of effort. Suggested donation per household is $15/year. 4 major credit cards,
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Disclaimer:
Information
given in the newsletter is educational but should not be considered definitive.
Every effort is made to present clear testimonials from personal experience,
however, different people may have different reactions than the author's
experience. The author makes no attempt to identify every plant. If you
choose to eat weeds, start out with a small amount and notice your reaction.
Considerable effort is made to provide readers access to additional materials
for the positive identification, harvesting and preparation of wild edible
weeds, BUT you are ultimately responsibe for your own education, actions
and diet.
To avoid poisonous
look-alikes, foragers should always identify by SEVERAL indicators (by leaf,
flower, seed pod, root and stem, by shape, texture, veination, color, hairiness,
growth pattern, season, etc.) before eating from the wild. Different plants
might look very similar to the untrained eye.
You
should not pick weeds in polluted areas--along roadsides, near trash dumps,
in fields or gardens likely to have been sprayed with pesticides or commercial
fertilizers, etc.
You
should not over-pick. The general rule of thumb is to harvest no more than
20% of an area, leaving the plants ample opportunity to regenerate for the
next year, the next generation, and leaving something behind for the next
forager. Becoming familiar with propagation methods can assist you in determining
the most prudent conservation techniques for each plant.
You
should always wash weeds before eating them. Dust is everywhere, insects
and slugs naturally make their homes in vegetation, and birds do fly overhead!
Let common sense be your guide.
Do
not hesitate to call a doctor if you should have an adverse reaction to
anything you touch or ingest in the wild. If you can bring the physician
a sample, or identify the offending plant by name, all the better.
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