Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a common groundcover admired for its vibrant foliage and vigorous growth. Its rapid spread often leads to questions about its uses beyond ornamental purposes, particularly its edibility. This article explores its characteristics, traditional applications, and safety.
Understanding Creeping Jenny’s Edibility
Creeping Jenny, also known as moneywort, is considered edible; both its leaves and flowers are suitable for consumption. Historically, this plant has been used in traditional medicinal practices across various cultures. Its leaves contain compounds believed to have mild astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, leading to its traditional use in soothing gastrointestinal discomfort, including indigestion, bloating, and cramps. It has also been used in herbal teas for its reputed calming effects on the nervous system, assisting with relaxation and anxiety.
Identifying Creeping Jenny for Safe Consumption
Accurate identification of Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is important for safe consumption, as misidentification could lead to ingesting harmful plants. This herbaceous perennial has a low-growing, creeping habit, forming dense mats as its stems root where they touch the soil. Its distinctive leaves are typically rounded or orbicular, resembling small coins, and are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems. Foliage color ranges from vibrant lime green to golden yellow, with the latter more pronounced in sunnier locations.
In summer, Creeping Jenny produces small, cup-shaped, bright yellow flowers, usually with five petals, approximately 2 cm across, appearing in the leaf axils. The smooth stems can extend up to 40 cm or more, spreading horizontally. These markers are key to distinguishing Creeping Jenny from other groundcovers, ensuring proper identification before consumption.
Culinary Applications and Preparation
The leaves and flowers of Creeping Jenny can be incorporated into various dishes, offering a mild and slightly tangy flavor. The vibrant green leaves can be eaten raw, making them a suitable addition to salads or blended into smoothies. Alternatively, Creeping Jenny can be cooked similarly to other leafy greens, such as spinach.
When preparing Creeping Jenny for culinary use, thoroughly wash harvested leaves and stems under cool running water to remove dirt, debris, or insects. For simple preparation, leaves can be blanched briefly or sautéed with a small amount of oil. The small, yellow flowers can also be used as an edible garnish. Additionally, Creeping Jenny leaves and flowers can be brewed into a tea, a traditional method of consumption.
Essential Safety Considerations Before Consumption
Before consuming Creeping Jenny, consider several safety aspects. While generally considered non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats, caution is advised. Extensive scientific information on its internal side effects is limited, with some sources indicating insufficient data to determine its safety or potential side effects when taken by mouth. Therefore, it is best to start with small quantities to assess individual tolerance.
Harvesting practices are also important; avoid collecting Creeping Jenny from areas treated with pesticides, herbicides, or polluted sites like roadsides, which can accumulate contaminants. While the plant’s aggressive spreading nature means it’s found in various environments, clean sourcing is paramount. Additionally, Creeping Jenny shares common names with other plants, such as “creeping Charlie” (Glechoma hederacea), which is entirely different. Always ensure positive identification of Lysimachia nummularia to prevent accidental ingestion of potentially harmful look-alikes. Consulting a healthcare professional or qualified herbalist is recommended before incorporating new herbs, especially for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals or those with existing medical conditions.