New to P.E.M.U.? Start here: http://bigpigblog.com/2015/03/20/p-e-m-u-project/ Do the work!! Use a good field guide for identification and start your journey. Items in “bold” are first hand experience.

This week’s featured plant is another yard food, Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Family – Page 114 of Botany in a Day – Elpel

Identification – Page 274 of Newcomb’s

• Single line of hairs down stem
• Sap not milky

P – oisonous

• Can be distinguished from poisonous look-a-likes by absence of milky sap 

E – dible

• Raw
• Cooked
• Pesto
• Cream soup

M – edicinal

• Skin poultice
• Skin ointment
• Tea for coughs

U – seful

• Weather indicator 

Chickweed pesto… chickweed, olive oil, some garlic, parmesan cheese, sunflower seeds, and salt

Resources: 

PFAF – http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Stellaria+media

Eat The Weeds – http://www.eattheweeds.com/chickweed-connoisseurs-2/

Interested in learning more about the Poisonous, Edible, Medicinal, and Useful plants around us? Check out BPO’s foraging classes – http://www.bigpigoutdoors.net/poisonous–edible–medicinal—-useful-plants.html