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Valerianaceae
Valerianella locusta
Mache
This cool season field green has numerous common names such as corn salad, feldsalat, fetticus, lamb's lettuce, mache and nut lettuce. Its small, rounded, somewhat fleshy leaves are produced when weather is cool or even cold. It will even withstand snow. Originally from Eurasia and North Africa, it is a true annual that self-sows freely and has become naturalized in many other countries including parts of the United States. As a green, it is typically eaten in salads and has a fresh, nutty flavor.
The plants form tight rosettes of spoon-shaped leaves that are medium to bright green. These are very smooth and somewhat fleshy and can be harvested leaf by leaf. As spring weather becomes warmer, each rosette sends up branched stems topped with clusters of small, silvery bluish white flowers. Once the plants begin to flower, they are no longer good to eat. After seed set they die.
Cool weather, full sun and fertile, sandy to loamy, well-drained garden soil is needed to produce robust rosettes of mache. Ample soil moisture is still necessary. In areas with milder winters, they can be planted in fall for winter harvest. Further north it’s advisable to plant them in late summer for late fall harvest. Sow the seeds directly in the soil, cover lightly and water. This is a perfect partner for kohl crops and other frost tolerant veggies. There are several cultivated varieties that vary in leaf size, texture and heat tolerance. The selection, ‘Broad Leaved’, is one of the easiest to find in the United States.
12 - 1
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun, Partial Sun
3"-12" / 7.6cm - 30.5cm
4"-12" / 10.2cm - 30.5cm
Early Spring, Spring
Europe, Northern Africa, Asia
Acidic, Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Fast
Average Water
Rosette/Stemless
Insignificant
White, Lavender
Green
No
Single
Medium
Glossy
Edible, Herb / Vegetable
Sometimes
Yes
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