Field Pennycress

Foraging…This is field pennycress…another member of the wild mustard family. The young leaves are high in protein and can be sparingly added to salads or nibbled raw. However, this is another wild edible/medicinal that should be approached with caution. The plant contains sufficient quantities of glucosinolates to be considered toxic. Cattle who have fed on too much pennycress have died or aborted calves. That said, pennycress is a valuable addition to any poultice or wound dressing because of it’s antibacterial and antifungal properties. In recent times, however, its major appeal has been as a potential fuel source since pennycress seeds contain twice the natural oil of soybeans. Other common names for this plant include fanweed and stinkweed.