The "weeds" we all are very familiar with in the summer time might not be as useless as they seem! Some of these wild greens are edible and have nutritional value! How fun to go out and pick a salad in your own backyard! The following are some of the common wild edibles in the central Illinois area.

1. Chickweed

Chickweed is a small leaved plant with little white flowers. Originally from Europe, this plant has made itself right at home in North America. You probably see it every day in the spring time! You can eat the flowers, stem tips, leaves, and buds can all be eaten! Just be sure to take caution and cross reference before you eat this! Something to help you out in identifying this plant is its vanilla scent when flowering and the mohawk style hair growing in a line up the stem.

2. Violet

Violets are those dainty purple flowers that are practically everywhere in the spring and summer! The flowers are edible and are a beautiful addition to a salad! The leaves are heart shaped and curve up on the sides; this part of the plant is not edible but a good help in identifying violet when you find it.

3. Curly Dock

This plant is especially easy to identify and remember because the leaves are actually curly. Curly Dock starts growing in the spring and that is when it's the tastiest, too! It has a lemony flavor that makes it a great addition to salads and for juicing.

4. Mallow

Mallow sprouts in the month of May and has edible leaves, flowers, and fruits. The fruit of the Mallow plant is in the shape of a cheese wheel and is a great feature for identifying. The leaves are somewhat wavy and round.

5. Garlic Mustard

The leaves of Garlic Mustard are either kidney, heart or triangle shaped and have dark, green veins. This is a very nutritious plant, and its garlic flavor makes it a great addition to stir fry or a salad when it's finely chopped.

6. Goosefoot

Goosefoot has a waxy crystal dust at the growth points, making it a bit easier to identify this edible plant. The leaves and the stems can be eaten and are similar to spinach. Goosefoot is sometimes even referred to as "wild spinach".

7. Purslane

Purslane is my personal favorite because this plant's leaves and stems are succulent-like. The plant's flavor is mild, but that doesn't mean it isn't nutritious. Purslane pipe-like stems sprout in the hottest months of the year. You would likely find this plant growing in a parking lot or in the cracks of the sidewalk.

Getting your greens can be a fun adventure when you are getting them straight from your outside environment! Be sure to reference multiple sources when you aren't sure about the ID of a plant, as there are some look-a-likes. Once you have picked a bundle of your wild edibles, wash them up and add them to your salads, smoothies and veggie dishes! Happy munching!