Cassell's dictionary of cookery

Goat's Beard {Tragopogon pratensis). — The roots of this plant are thought to be equal to those of the Viper's Grass or Spanish Salsify {xvhich see), if not superior. Marsh Clown's All-heal {Stachys palustris). — A plant frequently met with in moist rich cornfields. It increases rapidly by means of its creeping roots, and forms on these, during the smnmer, a number of thickened, elongated, tuberous-looking buds, which are rich in a sweet farinaceous matter. When planted in a rich soil the roots become large and tender, and furnish a delicacy in the winter season. Meadow Sweet {Spiraea Filipendula). — A perennial common is most meadows where the soil is boggy or inclined to peat. The tubers are ground and made into bread in Sweden. PLA ( 583 ) PLA Sago {Orchis Morio). — Tliis is a plant particularly abundant in tho Vale of Gloucester. The powder of its roots is used in making the "beverage called salop. PiLEWORT [Ranunculus Ficaria). — The young leaves are boiled in spring by the common people in Sweden, and eaten as greens. " The roots are sometimes washed bare by the rain, so that the tubercles appear above ground, and in this state have induced the ignorant in superstitious times to fancj^ that it rained wheat, Avhich these tubercles somewhat resemble." Silver-weed {Potentilla anserina). — The roots of this plant are frequently eaten in Scotland, either roasted or boiled. They taste like parsnips. Solomon's-Seal {Polygonatum vulgare). — The young shoots are boiled and eaten as greens. The roots are sometimes dried, ground, and made into bread. Tree Primrose, or German Eampion {CEnothera biennis). — A native of Virginia, but naturalised in some parts of England. When the plant is cultivated like the carrot or parsnip its roots are crisp and sweet. Viper's Grass, or Spanish Salsify {Scorzonera hispanica). — This plant was once believed to be an antidote to the bite of the adder : it is now used merely as a dietetic plant. The roots are fleshy and not unlike carrots and parsnips. When boiled their flavour is very like that of asparagus. Edible Leguminous Wild Plants. Sea-peas (Pisum maritimum). — The taste of the sea-pea is bitter and disagreeable : when more pleasant food is to be had it is therefore let alone. In 1555, however, when there was a great famine in England, the seeds of the seapea were employed as food, and by this means thousands of lives were saved. Wild Vetches {Lathyra, Vicia, and Ervum). The seeds of all the British species of these genera may be employed as peas. They are met with in hedges, woods, and cornfields, and are particularly abundant in dry seasons. Wild Plants that maybe employed as Salads. Ladies'-Smock. {Cardamine pratensis). — The leaves furnish an agreeable acrid salad not unlike the American cress. Buckshorn Plantain, or Star of the Earth {Plantago coronopus). — A hardy annual, a native of Britain, met with in sandy soils. It nsed to be cultivated as a salad herb, and employed like the common cress ; now, however, it is neglected, probably on account of its rank and disagreeable smell.