Field Pennycress Wild Edible Food

Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is a weed that grows to 1.5 to 2 feet (.45-.6 meters) tall. The leaves are alternate, oblanceolate, 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long with the lower leaves being more strongly lobed and wavy. Leaves on the bottom part of the plant will have stalks but as you move up the plant the stalks get smaller and eventually disappear.

The flowers are white growing in open clusters on branches, with 4 petals which are longer than the sepals which will be about 3/4 of an inch (2 cm) long. The plant flowers from May to August.

Field Pennycress is a weed native to Eurasia but has spread around much of the world including almost the entire USA. It can be found and eaten in early spring to late winter. The seeds and leaves of field pennycress are edible. The leaves can be eaten raw or boiled. Do not eat this plant near roads or other contaminated soils. It pulls up contaminates more than most plants.

Like most wild edible leaves the taste doesn't compare with store bought greens from the store and are best served after boiling, also the older the leaves the more bitter the taste.

The seeds can be ground and used as a mustard substitute.