Mache which is also called Lamb’s lettuce is a tender, nutty, green salad which is great on its own and mixed with other greens as well. Though Mache is added raw in salads, it can also be lightly cooked. Mache is an easy to raise and great alternative for lettuce. It is best in temperate areas. This vegetable possesses succulent leaves which are considered as a staple ingredient for the winter salads. They are also cooked like a spinach.
| Name | Mache |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Valerianella locusta |
| Native | Temperate zones of Europe |
| Common/English Name | European corn salad, Fetticus, Lamb’s lettuce, Corn salad, Feldsalat, Common corn salad, Field salad, Nut lettuce, Italian corn salad, Rapunzel, Field lettuce |
| Name in Other Languages | Spanish: hierba de los canonigos; French: doucette; Portuguese: alface-de-cordeiro; Italy: dolcetta; Japan: nojisha; Netherlands: veldsla; Sweden: vaarsallat; Basque: Ardi mihi; Valencian, Catalan: Herba dels canonges Chinese: Gao Ju Xie Cao; Croatian: Matovilac; Czech: Kozlíček polní; Danish: Tandfri Vårsalat; Dutch: Gewone veldsla; Estonian: Põldkännak; Finnish: Rantavuonankaali; German: Ackersalat; Greek: Maroulaki; Hindi: Mushakwali; Ido: Valerianelo; Latvian: salatu baldrinš; Norwegian: Vårsalat; Polish: Roszponka Warzywna; Russian: Polevoj Salad; Slovenian: navadni motovilec; Spanish: Canònigo; Swedish: Vårklynne; Upper Sorbian: Prawa rjaponka; Walloon: Doûcete; West Flemish: Kôornsaloa |
| Plant Growth Habit | Small, annual, rosette shaped bunches |
| Growing Climate | Mild |
| Soil | Dry or moist |
| Plant Size | Height: 15 and 30 cm |
| Lifespan | Annual |
| Leaf shape and size | Spoon shaped-round; Length: 6 inches |
| Leaf color | Dark green |
| Leaf taste | Distinct, sweet and nuttiness |
| Flowering Season | May or June |
| Flower | Bluish-white, five petals, funnel shaped; Length and width: 1.5-2 mm (0.06-0.08 inches) |
| Fruit shape & size | Round, flattened achene |
| Fruit color | Yellow |
| Flavor | Nutty |
| Major Nutrition | Vitamin A, RAE 199 µg (28.43%) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 21.4 mg (23.78%) Iron, Fe 1.22 mg (15.25%) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.153 mg (11.77%) Manganese, Mn 0.201 mg (8.74%) Copper, Cu 0.075 mg (8.33%) Potassium, K 257 mg (5.47%) Phosphorus, P 30 mg (4.29%) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.049 mg (3.77%) Tryptophan 0.015 g (3.41%) |
| Health Benefits |
|
| Calories in 1 cup (56 gm) | 12 Kcal. |
| Traditional uses | The root is used to make a homoeopathic medicinal tincture. |
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