Keeled-Fruited Cornsalad, European cornsalad
Valerianella carinata
Family: Valerianaceae
What it is like
Valerianella carinata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is 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 dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Arable land, banks, old walls and rocky outcrops.
Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa and the Caucasus.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Young leaves - raw.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
An easily grown plant, it prefers a fairly rich light soil.
Propagating it: Seed - in order to obtain a continuous supply of salad leaves, it is best to sow the seed successionally from early spring to late summer in situ. A late summer sowing might also succeed, and this would supply edible leaves in the winter.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist