Nipplewort, Common nipplewort
Lapsana communis
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Lapsana communis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Height (m): 0.9
Where it is found
Waste ground, roadsides and walls, avoiding acid soils, in full sun or semi-shade.
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, western and central Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked. They are best harvested before the plant comes into flower. The leaves can be added to salads, cooked like spinach or added to soups and casseroles. They have a bitter or radish-like taste.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
A fairly common garden weed, nipplewort will maintain itself in the garden so long as it is given some disturbed soil in which to self-sow. It is a fairly tolerant plant that succeeds in most soils, so long as they are not too acid, and dislikes heavy shade. It was at one time cultivated as a vegetable.
Propagating it: Seed - sow in situ during the spring or as soon as it is ripe and only just cover the seed. Plants usually self sow when they are well-sited.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist