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Cornsalad - Valerianella locusta
Cornsalad - Valerianella locusta
Edible plant - novice (for Genus)
Other common names: Common Corn Salad, Field Salad, Lamb's Lettuce, Lewiston Cornsalad and Nut Lettuce
Season - Winter to Summer
Scientific name meaning: Valerianella is of Latin origin and means small Valerian. Locusta is the Latin for grasshopper or locust
Habitat
Most often found in dry, moist or poor soils including coastal areas, arable land, waste ground, garden borders, pavements, roadsides, in walls and on cliffs. It is also cultivated.
Overall structure
Very densely branched causing it to be much wider at its top than its base. However, the base of the plant consists of a large rosette of leaves. Can reach 30cm in height. Found as individual plants or in dense drifts.
Leaves
The lower leaves are rich-green in colour and are spoon-shaped, the upper leaves are arranged in opposing pairs, are paler in colour and have an elongated oval shape. The pinnate veins of the base leaves are clearly visible on the top and bottom of the leaf.
Stems
The stems, which are slightly hairy, split two ways directly above each pair of leaves and in the same direction as the leaves.
Flowers
The pale blue to mauve flowers appear from April to June. They are arranged in dense umbel-like heads at the terminal ends of the stems
Possible lookalikes
There are several species of Cornsalad, Valerianella locusta being the most common. Their seed shapes distinguish them but all species are edible. Some may confuse Forget-me-not (Myosotis spp) with Cornsalad. However, Forget-me-not has much larger flowers and the stems do not branch into pairs
Use as a food The leaves, flowers and flowering stems can be used raw in salads. The leaves have a nutty flavour and excellent texture, so are often consumed in large quantities
Hazards None known at time of writing
Use in herbal medicine None know. If you know of any, please let us know
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner
Other uses None known
Importance to other species Food source of grazing mammals
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