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good King Henry

Scientific Name: Chenopodium bonus-henricus

Family: Chenopodiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Good King Henry (Blitum bonus-henricus)

Good King Henry, also known as Poor-man's Asparagus, Perennial Goosefoot, Lincolnshire Spinach, and Mercury, is a perennial herb with a long history of cultivation and use as a vegetable.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant has shield-shaped leaves that may be enticing to pets.

Considerations for Children

  • Good King Henry has edible parts, including leaves that can be eaten cooked or added to salads.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Blitum bonus-henricus
  • Synonym: Chenopodium bonus-henricus
  • Alternative Scientific Name: C. esculentus
  • Common Names: Good King Henry, Poor-man's Asparagus, Perennial Goosefoot, Lincolnshire Spinach, Wild Spinach, All-good, Goosefoot, Mercury, Good Henry
  • Family: Amaranthaceae (formerly Chenopodiaceae)

Distribution and Habitat

Originally a European plant, Good King Henry has naturalized in North America. It was historically introduced to the UK by the Romans and was once a common sight in cottage gardens.

Ecological Role

In some regions, such as Fife, Good King Henry is considered a rare plant, with efforts being made to prevent its extinction.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Good King Henry is a hardy perennial herb.
  • It grows to a height of about 2 feet (60cm).
  • It has succulent shield-shaped leaves, approximately 20cm long and spear-shaped.

Uses

  • The leaves can be cooked and eaten as spinach, or added to salads when young.
  • The shoots can be forced for asparagus-like spears early in the spring.
  • The flower buds can be sautéed.

Quirky Facts

  • Good King Henry is notoriously difficult to germinate from seed.
  • Old Chimneys brewery in Diss, Suffolk, produces "Good King Henry Special Reserve," an Imperial Stout beer aged for two years.
  • In Lincolnshire, the common name "Mercury" is pronounced "marcury."