Botanical name: Alliaria petiolata; family cabbage Cruciferae (=Brassicaceae)

svensk: Löktrav

Other common names : Jack-by-the-hedge,  Hedge Garlic, Poor Man’s Mustard

One of the more common and easy to identify plant for foraging in the early spring.  It can be found in the edges of forests and hedgerows. It has a pungent and slightly bitter taste.

ORGIN: It is native to Europe, western and central Asia, and northwestern Africa. Invasive weed in North America

HABITAT: hedgerows, wood edges

SEASON: March to June

EDIBLE PARTS: young leaves, flowers, seeds, roots

TASTE:  pungent, slightly bitter

SMELL: similar to  garlic or horseradish

NUTRITION HIGHLIGHTS: There are no greens higher in  beta-caroten, vitamin  C and E and zinc! Also very high in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron and manganese.

SUPER POWERS: Detoxifying (increases the removal of heavy metals and dioxins), anticarcinogenic, fungistatic, bacteriostatic, lowers cholesterol and lipids in the blood, stimulate wound healing

MY FAVORITE USE: young leaves and flowers in salads, older leaves blanched or steamed – used as spinach, root for horseradish substitution