Lesser burnet saxifrage
On a round, finely grooved and downy-haired stem, the leaves of the lesser burnet (Pimpinella saxifraga) grow mainly near the ground.
They consist of 3 to 5 pairs of roundish and marginally coarsely serrate leaflets and a single terminal leaflet. The white or pink flowers are arranged in umbels.
Caution is advised when collecting, as there is a great risk of confusion – also with poisonous plants!
Lesser burnet saxifrage
Image source: 290923250 – stock.adobe.com
Lesser burnet – foliage
Image source: 290923250 – stock.adobe.com
Family and collection time
The lesser burnet saxifrage belongs to the umbelliferous family.
Parts of the plant used: Flowers, leaves, buds
- Collection time: April – October
In the kitchen:
The taste is cucumber-like and slightly spicy. Good for flavoring herb butter, salad, soups and pesto. The tart-sweet fruits and flowers are suitable for mixtures in herbal salt and for flavoring vinegar.
References:
Beiser, Rudi: Our edible wild plants. Kosmos Nature Guide 2018
Bühring, Ursel: Praxis-Lehrbuch der modernen Heilpflanzenkunde; Grundlagen – Anwendung – Therapie. Sonntag Publishing House Stuttgart 2005
Pahlow, M. Pharmacist: Medicinal Plants. Bechtermünz Publishing House Augsburg 2001
Schneider, Christine: Finding wild herbs. Ulmer Publishing House Stuttgart 2017
Recipe by Dr. Markus Strauß www.dr-strauss.net
