Wegmalve

A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil, though it prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. It also succeeds in dry soils. At one time this plant was often cultivated for its edible leaves. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. Prone to infestation by rust fungus.

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Egg Tea Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked. A mild pleasant flavour[K], they are said to be highly nutritious. They can be added in quantity to salads, and make an excellent lettuce substitute, they can also be cooked as greens[183, K]. The leaves are mucilaginous, when cooked in soups etc they tend to thicken it in much the same way as okra (Abelmoschatus esculenta). Some people find this mucilaginous texture unpleasant, especially if the leaves are cooked[K]. Immature seeds - raw or cooked. A pleasant nutty flavour, they are nice as a nibble but too small for most people to want to collect in quantity[K]. A decoction of the roots is used as an egg-white substitute for making meringue. The roots are brought to the boil in water and then simmered until the water becomes quite thick. This liquid can then be whisked in much the same way as egg whites[K]. A tea can be made from the dried leaves.

Dye Teeth Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads. The root is used as a toothbrush.

Heimisch: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Central European Russia, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., Netherlands, North Caucasus, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine Eingeführt: Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arkansas, Bolivia, Brazil South, British Columbia, California, Cape Provinces, Chile Central, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Dominican Republic, East Himalaya, Finland, Free State, Georgia, Great Britain, Haiti, Idaho, Illinois, India, Indiana, Iowa, Ireland, Japan, Kansas, Kentucky, Korea, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New Zealand North, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Provinces, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Panamá, Pennsylvania