Purple-Hued Blooms: An Identification Guide for 16 Varieties of Weed Species
In the spirit of exploring the natural world around us, let's delve into the world of wild edible purple flowers. These beauties can be found growing in fields, meadows, and even in your own backyard.
First on our list is the Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa), a charming purple flower that spreads readily. While the flowers are edible, it's best to avoid consuming the rest of the plant.
Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium), a primary succession plant, takes over after fires, floods, or other disturbances. This resilient plant is not only edible but also medicinal. Its leaves are used to make Ivan Chai, and the flowers are transformed into delectable fireweed jelly.
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), a low-growing weed in the mint family, sports purple to pink flowers and some small spines. It's often mistaken for the purple dead nettle, but both plants are edible and medicinal.
Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum) is almost as common as dandelions in some parts of the country. Like its counterpart, it's edible and medicinal, with leaves used in salves to stop bleeding.
Moving beyond our borders, common plants in Germany with pure or mixed purple flowers include violets (Viola species), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), and wild sage (Salvia pratensis). These plants are often used medicinally.
Heal-All (Prunella vulgaris) is a low-growing weed with purple flowers. It has been used medicinally by various cultures and is reputed to heal almost everything.
Nightshade (Solanum sp.), consisting of various species with small purple flowers, includes Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) and Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). Most wild plants in the nightshade family are toxic, especially the poisonous fruits.
Wild Violet (Viola sp.), with various species, is edible and medicinal. The flowers aren't always "violet," and they also come in white and occasionally yellow. The whole plant is edible, and flowers make a lovely wild violet jelly.
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a common invasive field weed with spikes of stunning purple to pink flowers. Every part of the plant is edible, though it's not commonly eaten.
Last but not least, Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), also known as creeping Charlie and Ale Hoof, is a common lawn weed with purple flowers. It thrives in areas with good fertility and consistent moisture.
Violet Wood Sorrel (Oxalis violacea) is a purple flowered variant of wood sorrel. All wood sorrels are edible and delicious, with a tangy, lemon-y flavor.
Remember, it's essential to correctly identify any plant before consumption. Always consult a reliable guidebook or a local expert to ensure safety. Happy foraging!
