Fat Hen and Good King Henry in history

Jane Brooks says some 'weeds' represent a bridge to our agricultural past, offering a free alternative to modern greens

- Jane Brooks

The farm landscape is often seen as a battleground against nuisance weeds, but some of these plants, such as dandelions, stinging nettles, and yarrow, were staples of herbal medicine for centuries.

Among these, two closely related species—Fat Hen and Good King Henry—stand out for their historical importance.

EDIBLE WEEDS

Often referred to as Lambs Quarters or White Goosefoot, Fat Hen is a member of the Amaranthaceae family of plants, under the Chenopodioideae subfamily with the Chenopodium classification. It grows from April to October and flowers from around June to October. When small white with green flowers grow from the stem junction and leaf base. Leaves are blue green with an oval almost jagged edge triangular shape they have a slightly water repelling waxy feel. The plant grows up to one to two metres tall.

A hedgerow and roadside plant it's found on wasteland, around arable ground field margins and in gardens.