Good King Henry
Chenopodium bonus-henricus
Family: Amaranthaceae
What it is like
A perennial plant. It grows up to 60-100 cm tall. It spreads to 60 cm wide. The roots are fleshy and thick. The stem is hollow. It has triangular shaped leaves. They are deep green. They are 10 cm long. The flower spikes do not have leaflets. The flowers are greenish in spikes at the top of the plant. The seeds are rust coloured.
There are about 100-150-250 Chenopodium species. They are mostly in temperate regions. Also put in the family Chenopodiaceae.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It will grow on a range of soils. It is resistant to drought and frost. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mediterranean, North America, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia
How it is used for food
The young leaves are eaten as a potherb. The young shoots can be cut under the ground and peeled and used as an asparagus substitute. The tender flower clusters are eaten. The seeds can also be eaten and sprinkled on bread and cakes.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, seeds, root, flowers, vegetable
How it is grown
It can be grown by seed.
Plants take a couple of years to get established but then continue to produce leaves. They self seed, if allowed.
Its other names
Local names
All good, Angiarde, Blite, Brasnjenik, Chrestovy spenat, Chuven, Engari, Espinac de muntanya, Goosefoot, Gracka, Ingri, Mastna, Orles, Ourla, Perennial goosefoot, Sarrion, Spinacio che fa in montogna, Stajska metlika, Takasimboloina, Valcordi, Verkouenyo, Zel'ina
Synonyms
Blitum bonus-henricus (L.) C. A. Mey; and others