Good Henry has large, particularly shaped leaves and is therefore easy to distinguish from other wild plants. However, not from all of them. To ensure that toxins don't end up in the collection basket and threaten our he alth, we have to look closely. We'll tell you the key features.
How can you avoid a Good Heinrich mix-up?
Good Henry can easily be confused with the poisonous spotted arum. Look for differences such as smoother, shinier leaves on the poisonous plant. The differences become particularly clear during the flowering period, as the flowers of these plants vary greatly.
Good Henry as a wild plant
Good Henry grows as a wild plant in this country, although it is largely unrecognized by many people. Given the oversupply on supermarket shelves, we have alienated ourselves from original nature and forgotten proven wild plants. Fortunately, interest in them is steadily increasing again, be it because of their taste or their inherent healing powers.
Long collection time
The first leaves of Good Henry can be collected as early as March, and the collection period doesn't stop until the first frost. During this long collecting period, many other wild herbs come and go. Some of them are also edible for humans, while others are highly poisonous. That's why the question arises as to how Good Henry can be recognized beyond doubt among all the other plants.
Danger of confusion with poisonous plants
The spotted arum is a very poisonous wild plant whose leaves are, at first glance, almost identical to the leaves of Good Henry in terms of color, shape and size. But the leaves of the poisonous plant are smoother and shinier. Look closely at the pictures of the two plants and you will see subtle differences. The best way to distinguish between the two plants is during the flowering period, as the flowers are very different.
- Good Heinrich blooms greenish
- forms small, panicle-like flower clusters
- Spotted arum has large individual flowers
- the flower consists of a bract and a cob
Tip
Invest in a good wild plant book (€32.00 on Amazon) that you can take with you on your foray into nature. Using pictures or drawings, plants can be identified on the spot and placed in the basket with a clear conscience.
Prefer to grow it yourself?
If you want to be absolutely sure that no toxins end up in your cooking pot, you can also grow Good Heinrich at home in the garden. The seeds for this are available in specialist shops everywhere. And the good thing is: in a sunny and nutrient-rich location, the perennial and winter-hardy plant provides us with its delicious leaves, shoots and flowers soon after sowing. And that for up to five years!
