Frenchwort is one of the wild herbs that is widespread in the wild and also likes to find its way into private gardens. So it's quite possible that you'll unexpectedly come across this plant with its yellow-white flowers in your vegetable patch at some point. Receive it knowingly and duly.
What does a French herb look like and where does it come from?
The French herb (botanically: Galinsoga) is an annual wild herb with a growth height of up to 60 cm. It has ovate, slightly toothed leaves, a green, branched stem and small, yellow-white flowers that bloom from May to October. It originally comes from Peru and is non-toxic.
Names and family
French herb is botanically referred to as galinsoga. In the vernacular, however, the term buttonweed is more common. The plant comes from the daisy family.
Origin
Contrary to what the name suggests, French herb does not come from France. Its origin even lies on another continent. Peru, in the south of America, is considered his first home.
The herb only made its way to Europe in the eighteenth century. It spread here at the same time that Napoleon was storming his neighboring countries. This parallel led to the misleading naming.
Location and occurrence
In the wild, French herb can usually be found on fallow land. It also likes to surround roadsides or fields. It is not uncommon for the herb to spread into gardens, where it is viewed as an undesirable weed and is fought against. In earlier times it was grown as a cultivated vegetable.
Tip
If you want to grow French herb specifically these days, you should offer it a bright location with permeable, humus-rich and dry soil.
External features
The French herb does not have any particularly striking features, but it can still be easily distinguished from other wild plants.
- Growth height: up to 60 cm
- Leaves: egg-shaped, slightly toothed, not or slightly hairy, somewhat shiny
- Stems: round, upright, green, branched, glabrous to slightly hairy
- Flowers: small, five white petals, yellow center
- Flowering period: May to October
- Fruit: Split Fruit
Propagation
French herb is an annual, not winter-hardy plant. New, young plants grow every year. Propagation occurs through self-sowing. Each individual plant produces more than a thousand germinable seeds.
Toxicity
French herb is not poisonous. We humans can even eat it if we like the taste.
Ingredients
The plant parts of this wild herb contain many valuable ingredients. These include:
- Iron
- calcium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Vitamin A
- and Vitamin C
Usage
The edible French herb can be prepared similarly to spinach. Young, tender leaves can be added raw to salads, smoothies or pestos.
The plant is also used in medicine. More in its homeland, less here because its healing properties are still little known. It provides energy for necessary regeneration phases, helps with flu-like infections, gastrointestinal problems and has a positive effect on blood counts.
