Salad burnet

Salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor) is a plant in the family Rosaceae, native to western, central and southern Europe; northwest Africa and southwest Western Asia. It is a perennial herb that is often used in salads and has a flavor reminiscent of cucumber.

Description

Salad burnet is a perennial plant that grows to a height of 30-90 cm. The leaves are pinnate with 4-12 pairs of leaflets, each leaflet 5-20 mm long and 2-8 mm broad. The flowers are small, produced in dense clusters, each flower dark red, 2-3 mm diameter. The fruit is a small nutlet.

Cultivation and uses

Salad burnet is grown in gardens for its decorative foliage and to be used in salads. The plant prefers a sunny exposure in a well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and can be grown in a rock garden. The leaves, which have a slight cucumber flavor, can be used to flavor cool drinks and are a good addition to salads. They can also be used in soups, stews, and sauces.

History

The plant was used in the Middle Ages for its medicinal properties. It was believed to stop bleeding, hence its Latin name Sanguisorba, which means "absorb blood". In the Elizabethan era, it was used as a salad herb.

Medicinal uses

Traditionally, salad burnet was used as a medicinal herb. It was believed to have astringent and healing properties. It was used to treat wounds, burns, and skin eruptions. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these uses.

See also

• List of culinary herbs and spices
• List of plants with edible leaves