Ive never given Shepherds Purse its full due as a salad green until this year. I think the reason is Ive rarely encountered it in sufficient quantities to merit harvesting the greens. However, this is a particularly good year, and this is the best season to gather the leaves. Like many members of the mustard family Capsella bursa-pastoris thrives during cold weather, spending the fall months, building up its strength for the winter. Right now, the fields of our local farms are carpeted with basal rosettes, just begging to be harvested. Last week the fields were covered with young Lambsquarters plants (which, naturally, I gathered), however a frost has since turned them all brown. But the wild mustards just shrugged it off, as did the dandelions and chickweed, so theres still plenty to gather. I think Ill go back tomorrow and gather greens for the holidays. Shepherds purse is that peculiar weed with little hearts growing along a stem. Youve probably noticed it. Those distinctive seedpods are a sure indication that is a mild, sweetish green. It is highly acclaimed as a medicinal plant, used in childbirth and for treating internal bleeding. Many herbalists and midwives swear by it. Since there is so much of the plant around this fall, I think Ill tincture some leaf and root for my herbal medicine chest, before the really bad weather hits and challenges even the hardiest of plants.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 03:27:59 +0000
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