Saw-Wort (Serratula tinctoria)

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Serratula tinctoria is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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 Flies, bees.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young leaves and flower buds? - cooked. This report was for Hemistepta lyrata, which is said in the same report to be a synonym for this species. — Young leaves and flower buds? - cooked.; This report was for Hemistepta lyrata, which is said in the same report to be a synonym for this species.

Habitat & North American Range

Wood margins, clearings, rides and open grasslands on moist basic soils over limestone or chalk. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)