Annual Mercury (Mercurialis annua)

Family: Euphorbiaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Mercurialis annua is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees, flies, wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves - cooked. They were at one time quite popular, being used like spinach. The acrid principle is said to be destroyed by thoroughly boiling the leaves. The raw leaves are poisonous. — They were at one time quite popular, being used like spinach.; The acrid principle is said to be destroyed by thoroughly boiling the leaves.; The raw leaves are poisonous.; It is probably wise not to eat the leaves of this plant.

Habitat & North American Range

Waste places. A common weed of cultivated soils, but it avoids acid soils. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)