This seems to be a common weed and I don't know if it's edible. Is it? - Ask Extension
I pulled it from my garden. Thank you.
Knowledgebase
This seems to be a common weed and I don't know if it's edible. Is it? #654312
Asked June 22, 2020, 10:24 AM EDT
I pulled it from my garden. Thank you.
County New York
Expert Response
does it have milky sap?
No, it doesn't. I broke the top off and saw that a small flower had emerged. I took a picture of it.
I think it may be Erigeron annuus, or annual fleabane. We called it daisy fleabane in Ohio. The teeth on the leaves are highly variable, but I'm fairly certain that this is annual fleabane. https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/an_fleabane.htm
Thank you for responding. I had actually looked up fleabane before posting the question and found that these leaves are wider and not as furry as some descriptions imply but I think you are correct.
I read that the Fleabane leaves are edible and have medicinal properties but I'll do more research as to why the stem and roots are not edible. Again, thank you so much for answering my question.
It's definitely a fleabane. I looked it up in my favorite OLD (but fantastic) Peterson Field Guide--see image. It describes the Erigeron annuus as hairy. The description also described a second, closely related species, Erigeron strigosus. Check this one out: https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/ds_fleabanex.htm
Thank you for the link. I found annual fleabanes with the same leaves that are on this stem. It's nice to know what this plant is and I'm happy that the leaves are edible. I don't view weeds as invasive plants that need to be destroyed. I view them as nature's wild and free nutritious,healing garden. :)
Just be certain that you read the "small print." Some plants are edible in small quantities but can have adverse effects in larger amounts.
Okay. I will. Thank you!
