Henbit

So… this is kind of ‘meh,’ but it’s also kind of how I see the world. I try to see things like they’re more than what they are, or maybe, as they really are. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. Anyway… no specific mythology or folklore here… just a pressed specimen of the plant and an illustrated interpretation of that plant.

The notes on the page read:

Henbit
Part of the mint family, Henbit has no poisonous look-alikes. Used in salads, the young shoots and leaves are the best parts, though are fairly pleasant, yet indistinctive in flavor. However, the individual flowers are mild and have a hint of sweetness to them. The leaves and stalks can also be boiled and served up as a cooked vegetable. This plant is a mild astringent, and when used as a poultice, can reduce swelling and help with burns and insect stings. It can also be taken as a tea to assist with digestive issues. As an annual herb, it’s important to allow it to flower and re-seed itself for the following year by not harvesting too much from one plant.



For more reading:

Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide
By Thomas S. Elias, Peter A. Dykeman

Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West
By Gregory L. Tilford