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Spring greens, or spring vegetables, are the edible young leaves or new plant growth of a large number of plants that are most fit for consumption when their newest growth happens in the spring. Many leaf vegetables become less edible as they age and bitter, or potentially even toxic, compounds start to form. Harvesting of spring vegetables is common across Native American cultures.
Since most
* ''
Spring greens, or spring vegetables, are the edible young leaves or new plant growth of a large number of plants that are most fit for consumption when their newest growth happens in the spring. Many leaf vegetables become less edible as they age and bitter, or potentially even toxic, compounds start to form. Harvesting of spring vegetables is common across Native American cultures.
Foraging
Since most leaf vegetables
A leaf (: leaves) is a principal appendage of the stem of a vascular plant, usually borne laterally above ground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, stem, ...
are very difficult to store and keep well, commercial production and distribution requires a high amount of pollution and plastic waste
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects humans, wildlife and their habitat. Plastics that act as pollutants are cate ...
. Foraging for spring greens has been proposed as a possible way to reduce the impacts of demand for commercial greens.
However, it is important for foragers to take the necessary precautions and understand the risks. Many spring greens grow as "weeds" throughout the world in disturbed habitats. Plants growing in soils contaminated with heavy metals or pesticides can accumulate those pollutants (at different proclivities for different species). In addition, the misidentification of species may often lead to consumption of poisonous and toxic plants. This can generally be mitigated by a familiarity with the plants of one’s region, specifically the desired vegetable, and any lookalikes.
Examples of spring greens
* ''Rubus
''Rubus'' is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, subfamily Rosoideae, most commonly known as brambles. Fruits of various species are known as raspberries, blackberries, dewberries, and bristleberries. ...
'' spp. — the tender spring shoots of certain brambles (''Rubus'' species) (e.g. salmonberry and thimbleberry) are eaten by many Native American tribal communities like many Séliš peoples (e.g. Muckleshoot
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe ( ; ), also known as the Muckleshoot Tribe, is a federally-recognized tribe located in Auburn, Washington. The tribe governs the Muckleshoot Reservation and is composed of descendants of the Duwamish, Stkamish, ...
). These "sprouts" are only available for a few weeks unless you travel Northwards.
* '' Stellaria media'' — chickweed is native to Eurasia
Eurasia ( , ) is a continental area on Earth, comprising all of Europe and Asia. According to some geographers, Physical geography, physiographically, Eurasia is a single supercontinent. The concept of Europe and Asia as distinct continents d ...
but naturalized throughout the world, often growing as a weed. New growth is trimmed off from March through April. When it's too mature, it has a stringy or tough texture.
* ''Galium
''Galium'' is a large genus of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in the family Rubiaceae, occurring in the temperate zones of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Some species are informally known as bedstraw.
Over 600 species of ' ...
'' spp. — cleavers are common throughout temperate
In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (approximately 23.5° to 66.5° N/S of the Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ran ...
zones of both hemispheres. Some species seeds' also contain caffeine and are used as a coffee substitute. Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, but older leaves become too fibrous for eating.
* ''Taraxacum officinale
''Taraxacum officinale'', the dandelion or common dandelion, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae. The common dandelion is well known for its yellow flower heads that turn into round balls of many silver-tuf ...
'' — dandelions have a long history of culinary usage. The leaves contain many vitamins and nutrients important for human health. Young tender leaves can be pinched from the center of the plants but older leaves become extremely bitter as they are exposed to more and more sunlight.
* '' Helwingia japonica'' — a Japanese helwingia. Young leaves, as well as flowers, are eaten and/or cooked.
* '' Cryptotaenia canadensis'' — young leaves and stems of honewort are boiled or used as a seasoning similar to parsley.
* '' Chenopodium album'' — lamb's quarters commonly grow as "weeds" throughout the world, but are cultivated in Northern India and many other parts of the world. Leaves from wild plants can be harvested spring to early summer. They are best when young, but can also be harvested from the top of the plant later in the season. They are used in salads, pesto sauces, soups, and more.
* '' Portulaca oleracea'' — purslane is found throughout the world. It can be eaten fresh, stir-fried, or added to soups.
* ''Urtica dioica
''Urtica dioica'', often known as common nettle, burn nettle, stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting) or nettle leaf, or just a nettle or stinger, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. Or ...
'' — stinging nettles are native to Eurasia and Western Africa, but are now found worldwide. They are (usually) covered in hollow stinging hairs that inject histamine
Histamine is an organic nitrogenous compound involved in local immune responses communication, as well as regulating physiological functions in the gut and acting as a neurotransmitter for the brain, spinal cord, and uterus. Discovered in 19 ...
when handled. However, these hairs can easily be neutralized by boiling, scorching, or even drying them out.
* ''Viola'' spp. — most violet species have edible leaves (and flowers) and are at their most palatable in the spring. However, leaves usually contain saponins
Saponins (Latin ''sapon'', 'soap' + ''-in'', 'one of') are bitter-tasting, usually toxic plant-derived secondary metabolites. They are Organic compound, organic chemicals that become foamy when agitated in water and have high Molar mass, molecul ...
and so can cause digestive upset if eaten in large quantities.
* '' Oxalis stricta'' — wood sorrel leaves are edible. However, they contain oxalic acid
Oxalic acid is an organic acid with the systematic name ethanedioic acid and chemical formula , also written as or or . It is the simplest dicarboxylic acid. It is a white crystalline solid that forms a colorless solution in water. Its name i ...
which causes them to be tart and should not be consumed in large quantities.
See also
*Spring greens (Brassica oleracea)
Spring greens are a cultivar of '' Brassica oleracea'' in the cultivar acephala group, similar to kale, in which the central leaves do not form a head or form only a very loose one. It is considered to be closer to wild cabbage than most oth ...
* Bom-namul
* Foraging
Foraging is searching for wild food resources. It affects an animal's fitness because it plays an important role in an animal's ability to survive and reproduce. Foraging theory is a branch of behavioral ecology that studies the foraging behavi ...
* List of leaf vegetables
This is a list of vegetables which are grown or harvested primarily for the consumption of their leafy parts, either raw or cooked. Many vegetables with leaves that are consumed in small quantities as a spice such as oregano, for medicinal purpose ...
* Microgreens
* Potherb
* Salad
A salad is a dish consisting of mixed ingredients, frequently vegetables. They are typically served chilled or at room temperature, though some can be served warm. Condiments called '' salad dressings'', which exist in a variety of flavors, a ...
* Sansai
is a Japanese language, Japanese word literally meaning "mountain vegetables", originally referring to vegetables that grew naturally, were foraged in the wild, and not grown and harvested from fields. However, in modern times, the distinctio ...
* Sprouting
Sprouting is the natural process by which seeds or spores germination, germinate and put out Shoot (botany), shoots, and already established plants produce new leaves or buds, or other Plant development#Adventitious structures, structures expe ...
References
{{reflist, refs= {{cite web , url=https://www.uihi.org/resources/wild-spring-greens/ , access-date=1 March 2021 , title=Wild Spring Greens , website=Urban Indian Health Institute {{cite web , url=https://www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-spring-greens-2216560 , title=10 fresh and tender spring greens for salads , website=The Spruce Eats , author=Molly Watson , date=16 August 2019 , access-date=1 March 2021 {{cite journal , title=Heavy metal polluted soils: Effect on plants and bioremediation methods , doi=10.1155/2014/752708 , last1=Chibuike , last2=Obiora , journal=Applied and Environmental Soil Science , year=2014 , volume=2014 , pages=1–12 , doi-access=free {{cite web , url=https://mountainx.com/food/wildly-prolific-cooking-with-wncs-native-spring-perennials/ , title=Wildly prolific: Cooking with WNC's native spring perennials , date=5 April 2018 , access-date=1 March 2021 {{cite web , url=https://www.pbs.org/food/features/somewhere-south-its-a-greens-thing/ , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819204812/https://www.pbs.org/food/features/somewhere-south-its-a-greens-thing/ , url-status=dead , archive-date=19 August 2020 , title=Somewhere South: It's a Greens Thing , website=PBS Food , access-date=1 March 2021 {{cite web , url=http://paulkirtley.co.uk/2011/foraging-early-spring-greens/ , title=Foraging for early spring greens: Some to eat, some to avoid... , year=2011 , access-date=1 March 2021 , website=Paul Kirtley {{cite web , title=Helwingia japonica - Dietr. , url=https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Helwingia+japonica , access-date=4 September 2022 , website=PFAF Plant Database Leaf vegetables