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Wildflowers of Europe

Chenopodium bonus-henricus

Family : AMARANTHACEAE (Amaranth Family)
Common Name (UK) : Good King Henry
Common Name (DE) : Stolzer Heinrich, Guter Heinrich, Dorf-Gänsefuß, Wilder Spinat, Mehlspinat
Common Name (FR) : Chénopode Bon-Henri, Épinard sauvage, Toute-bonne
Habitat : Nitrogen rich soil (livestock pens)
Remarks :Good King Henry has been grown as a vegetable in cottage gardens for hundreds of years, although this dual-purpose vegetable is now rarely grown and the species is more often considered a weed. Cropping can begin in spring. Some of the new shoots can be cut as they appear (usually from mid spring to early summer) and cooked like asparagus. All cutting should then cease so that shoots are allowed to develop. The succulent triangular leaves may be harvested a few at a time until the end of August and cooked like spinach.
First appearing : April
Abundance : Locally abundant

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  • Photo Date :April 28, 2011
  • Location :Near Vassieux-En-Vercors (Drôme). France.
    N44° 54.422' E5° 21.466'
  • Photo Date :April 28, 2011
  • Location :Near Vassieux-En-Vercors (Drôme). France.
    N44° 54.422' E5° 21.466'