Good King Henry, Goosefoot

Chenopodium bonus-henricus - Easy-to-grow perennial herb rich in iron and vitamin C. Think of it as a sort of perennial spinach; Stems up to 60cm tall bear dark green, succulent, arrow-shaped leaves with slightly wavy edges. Spikes of tiny greenish flowers appear from May to Sept. In early spring, pencil-thick shoots push up from the fleshy, branching roots, and these are prized as a substitute for asparagus. Hardy perennial that prefers a shady spot. Priced for: 9cm pot

Use:  The leaves can either be added to salads or cooked in stews. Treat older leaves as mild spinach. The seeds can be used like poppy seeds on bread