Content
- The meadow knapweed is edible - tips for use
- Which parts of the meadow knapweed are edible?
- When does the meadow knapweed bloom?
- Meadow Knapweed as cattle feed
- Meadow Knapweed as a medicinal plant
- Good bee pasture and hop substitute
- Tips
The meadow knapweed: Not only for bees a treat
The meadow knapweed is edible - tips for use
Like so many other wild plants in our latitudes, the meadow knapweed is basically edible. Because of its bitter taste, it is mainly used as a decoration. If at all, leaves of the meadow knapweed are only eaten in very small quantities.
Which parts of the meadow knapweed are edible?
Edible are the leaves, shoot tips and the flowers of meadow knapweed. Leaves and shoot tips are used only as additional seasoning in the kitchen because of the bitter taste.
The flowers of the meadow knapweed have no taste of their own and therefore come primarily as a decoration of vegetable platters, wild herb salad and soups on the table. They give colorful salads a very decorative appearance.
The flowers can be consumed fresh immediately after harvest. They can also be dried well and used later.
When does the meadow knapweed bloom?
The flowering period of the wild plant lasts from June to November. During this time, the flowers can be harvested at any time. The leaves are not quite as bitter before flowering and should therefore only be picked until flowering.
If the bitter taste does not bother, the leaves can of course be collected later.
Meadow Knapweed as cattle feed
Meadow bluebells are often found on meadows and pastures. They contain no toxins and can therefore be eaten by grazers without hesitation.
However, the plants are usually spurned, because the taste is just too bitter.
Meadow Knapweed as a medicinal plant
From the leaves of the meadow knapweed can extract an extract. He was previously used for eye diseases.
The roots were once used for medical purposes. Due to the high proportion of bitter substances, the root has a diuretic and digestive effect. In addition, she was given to strengthen the general condition.
Good bee pasture and hop substitute
The meadow-knapweed is popular in nature with bees and bumblebees. It is therefore considered good bee pasture.
The leaves and shoot tips of the meadow knapweed contain many bitter substances. They used to be collected from August to September and used as a substitute for hops for beer brewing.
Tips
Flakes are often mistaken for cornflowers in nature. The two plant species look very similar. The Meadow Knapweed, however, has larger flowers that are pink and purple in color, while cornflowers have a blue color.