Annual Mercury
Mercurialis annua
Family: Euphorbiaceae
What it is like
Mercurialis annua is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees, flies, wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Waste places. A common weed of cultivated soils, but it avoids acid soils.
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to the Mediterranean. Azores.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Leaves - cooked. They were at one time quite popular, being used like spinach. The acrid principle is said to be destroyed by thoroughly boiling the leaves. The raw leaves are poisonous. It is probably wise not to eat the leaves of this plant.
Oil: Oil
Medicine
Rating: 1
The whole plant, and especially the juice, is emetic, emollient and purgative. It is used externally to treat women's complaints, ear and eye problems, warts and sores. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, dropsy, diarrhoea and disorders of the gall bladder and liver.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Emollient: Softens the skin, causing warmth and moisture.
Homeopathy: A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.
Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
Warts: Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.
Women's complaints: A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.
Other
Rating:
This species is a potential source of a very good drying oil.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
How it is grown
A common garden weed in Britain, it should need little encouragement. When well suited, it tends to spread itself around too freely for most people's tastes. It dislikes growing in shady positions. Plants are normally dioecious, though monoecious plants are sometimes found. Male and female plants must normally be grown if seed is required.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ.
Best place to grow: Hedgerow;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The plant is poisonous, but less so than the perennial M. perennis.