Tickweed (Cleome viscosa)

Family: Capparidaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Cleome viscosa is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pungent seed can be pickled or used as a mustard substitute in curries. — Leaves and young shoots - cooked as a vegetable.; A sharp mustard-like flavour.; The pungent seed can be pickled or used as a mustard substitute in curries.; The seedpods are made into pickles.

Habitat & North American Range

Sandy and freely draining soils in open woodland scrub and on scree slopes in dry areas. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)