Corn Salad (Valerianella locusta)

Family: Valerianaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Valerianella locusta is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Shoots, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

mild flavour, with a delicate quality that makes them seem to melt in the mouth, they can be added in quantity to salads. — Young leaves - raw.; A very mild flavour, with a delicate quality that makes them seem to melt in the mouth, they can be added in quantity to salads.; The leaves can be available all year round from successional sowings and will only require protection in the colder winters.; Flowers and flowering stems - raw.

Habitat & North American Range

Cultivated ground, waste places, hedgebanks, dunes etc, usually on dry soils. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)