In the summer of 2009, a scandal shook German rocket farmers when a Hamburg customer found a stalk of ragwort in a package of rocket. The farmers then feared for their existence, but the discovery has so far remained an isolated case. The probability of finding the poisonous plant, also known as ragwort, in a package from the supermarket is very low - and it is quite easy to distinguish between arugula and ragwort. What is more dangerous, however, is the risk of confusion with commonly collected medicinal herbs, such as St. John's wort.
Can ragwort be found in arugula?
The chance of finding ragwort in a package of arugula from the supermarket is very low. However, this poisonous plant can grow in arugula fields and in rare cases cannot be sorted out during the harvesting and packaging process. Arugula and ragwort can be distinguished by their leaves, size and smell.
How does ragwort get into arugula?
Rucola is now grown on large arable land and is primarily harvested, sorted and packaged by machine. Ragwort, on the other hand, is a common weed that has spread significantly in recent years. Of course, the poisonous plant, which is difficult to control, also grows in rocket fields, but is usually sorted out during the harvesting and packaging process.
How to distinguish between rocket and ragwort
Basically, arugula and ragwort are easy to distinguish from each other and the likelihood of you accidentally eating the poisonous herb is therefore very low. Ragwort stands out visually in a bowl with arugula, and it also tastes unpleasant due to the bitter substances. You can easily tell the two herb plants apart using the following list:
- Arugula leaves are significantly lighter and larger than those of ragwort.
- The rocket also has very pronounced leaf veins
- as well as a characteristic strong smell.
- Furthermore, rocket leaves are hairless.
- ragwort leaves, on the other hand, are darker, smaller and more thistle-like.
- In addition, at least in younger plants, they have cobweb-like hairs.
Ergo, it makes sense to check and wash purchased lettuce thoroughly before consumption, not only to sort out any poisonous plants that may contain them.
Keep your eyes open when collecting wild herbs
On the other hand, greater care is required when it comes to collected wild plants and wild plants, because many daisy plants used as medicinal plants actually look very similar to the dangerous St. James' ragwort. So if you want to collect St. John's wort, for example, you should know your stuff very well - or ask someone who knows. The same applies to salads and herbs from the garden, because the very vigorous and difficult to control groundsel can spread quickly there too.
Tip
Caution is also advised with herbal teas - not just with blends that you have collected yourself. Traces of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been found, especially in chamomile teas.
