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