Blitum bonus-henricus

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}} {{redirect|Good King Henry|the French monarch known as "le bon roi Henri"|Henry IV of France}} {{speciesbox | name = Good-King-Henry | image = Illustration Chenopodium bonus-henricus0.jpg | genus = Blitum | species = bonus-henricus | authority = (L.) Rchb. | synonyms = see text }}

'''''Blitum bonus-henricus''''' (syn. ''Chenopodium bonus-henricus''), also called '''Good-King-Henry''',<ref>{{BSBI 2007|accessdate=2014-10-17}}</ref> '''poor-man's asparagus''', '''perennial goosefoot''', '''Lincolnshire spinach''', '''Markery''',<ref>{{cite web |title=Great British Bites: Lincolnshire spinach |date=13 May 2008 |publisher=Times Online |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/real_food/article3879891.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014023853/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/real_food/article3879891.ece |archive-date=14 October 2008 }}</ref> '''English mercury''', or '''mercury goosefoot''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/goosef30.html#goo|title=Goosefoots|last1=Grieve|first1=M.|date=2014|website=A Modern Herbal|publisher=Botanical.com|access-date=17 May 2015}}</ref> is a species of goosefoot which is native to much of central and southern Europe.

Good-King-Henry has been grown as a vegetable in cottage gardens for hundreds of years, although this dual-purpose vegetable is now rarely grown and the species is more often considered a weed.

There have been several hypotheses concerning the naming of the plant. One is that the name originates from the German “Guter Heinrich” (Good Henry) to distinguish it from “Böser Heinrich” (Bad Henry) which is a poisonous plant and refers to ''Mercurialis perennis''.<ref name="The Backyard Larder" /> In German culture the name Henry has often been given to elves, kobolds, or household spirits and was, therefore, often integrated into the name of crops in the garden.<ref name="BotanicHortusGuardians" /> The “King” was then added later on in English, but no clear association with any king has been demonstrated.

==Description== It is an annual or perennial plant growing up to {{Convert|60|cm|abbr=off}} tall.<ref name="Francis-Baker21" /> The leaves are {{Convert|5–10|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} long and broad, triangular<ref name="Francis-Baker21" /> to diamond-shaped, with a pair of broad pointed lobes near the base, with a slightly waxy, succulent texture. The flowers are produced in a tall, nearly leafless spike {{Convert|10–30|cm|abbr=on|frac=2}} long; each flower is very small ({{Convert|3–5|mm|disp=or|frac=16}} in diameter), greenish,<ref name="Francis-Baker21" /> with five sepals. The seeds are reddish-green, 2–3 mm in diameter.

==Taxonomy== The species was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus as ''Chenopodium bonus-henricus'' in ''Species Plantarum''.<ref name="SpPl" /> Until 2012, the species was usually included in genus ''Chenopodium'', but molecular genetical research revealed that it does not really belong to this genus. It seems to be more closely related to the genus ''Spinacia'', and is now placed in the genus ''Blitum'' in the tribe Anserineae.<ref name="Fuentes 2012" /><ref name="GRIN" /><ref name="NCBI" /> The scientific name ''Blitum bonus-henricus'' was first used by Ludwig Reichenbach in 1832.<ref name="Reichenbach" />

Synonyms based on the same type specimen are: ''Agathophytum bonus-henricus'' (L.) Moq., ''Anserina bonus-henricus'' (L.) Dumort., ''Atriplex bonus-henricus'' (L.) Crantz, ''Chenopodium bonus-henricus'' L., ''Orthospermum bonus-henricus'' (L.) Schur, and ''Orthosporum bonus-henricus'' (L.) T. Nees.<ref name="Tropicos" /> Heterotypic synonyms are: ''Blitum perenne'' Bubani, ''Chenopodium hastatum'' St.-Lag., ''Chenopodium ruderale'' Kit. ex Moq., ''Chenopodium ruderale'' St.-Lag., ''Chenopodium sagittatum'' Lam., ''Chenopodium spinacifolium'' Stokes, ''Chenopodium triangulare'' Dulac, ''Chenopodium triangularifolia'' Gilib., and ''Orthosporum unctuosum'' Montandon.<ref name="ThePlantList" />

== Distribution and habitat == It can generally be found throughout Britain and Europe, except in the southeast.<ref name="Francis-Baker21" /> Native to southern and central Europe, Good-King-Henry originates from the Alps and later grew also into lowlands where it was cultivated on a small scale. Its distribution extends from the southern part of Scandinavia, to the eastern part of Russia and to the Mediterranean regions in the south. Outside Europe, it occurs as a neophyte in Morocco, North America, and New Zealand.<ref name="EuroMedPlantBase" /><ref name="RoyalBotanicGardensKew" /> However, it has been reported that more recently the natural occurrence in some countries, such as England or Germany, has declined. In certain parts of Germany, the wild form is found so rarely that the plant is considered an endangered species. In Germany, the plant is classified to occur naturally in two different nutrient-rich biotops; either in the alpine region or at ruderal sites, such as wall bases or corners of buildings. In these ruderal sites, the occurrence has declined more than in alpine regions and there, the plant is, thus, considered to be more endangered.<ref name="FloraWeb" /><ref name="PlantAtlas2020" />

== Ecology == The plant is host to several moths. Moths that are often found in interaction with the plant are for example ''Pelurga comitata'', commonly called dark spinach, or ''Eupithecia simpliciata'', also called plain pug. Both moths belong to the family Geometridae. However, representatives of other families of moths, such as Noctuidae or Sphingidae have been spotted on the plant.<ref name="DBIF" /> Being host plant to insects can have dual effects; on the one hand, the insects can act as pollinators and, thus, can be beneficial for the plant, on the other hand, the larva of some of these insects are known to feed on the plant.<ref name="FloraWeb" />

== Uses ==

=== Edible value ===

Good-King-Henry is usually cultivated due to its potential as an alternative food resource. Cropping can begin in spring. Some of the new shoots can be thinned out as they appear (usually from mid-spring to early summer) and cooked like asparagus. The shoots are cut just under the ground once they reach a height of {{convert|12|cm|0}}.<ref name="Chenopodium PFAF" />

All cutting should then cease so that shoots are allowed to develop. Only if the harvesting of the shoots stops after a few weeks, the plant can recover and form leaves, which is the part of the plant that is most traditionally used as a food supply. The succulent, triangular leaves may be harvested a few at a time until the end of August and eaten raw<ref name="Francis-Baker21" /> or cooked like spinach.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mabey |first=Richard |title=Food for Free |publisher=Collins |year=2012 |isbn=978-000-743847-1 |location=London |pages=103 |authorlink=Richard Mabey}}</ref> They are best when they are young, as older foliage tends to become fibrous. Moreover, they may develop a more pronounced bitter taste, and the oxalic acid content of larger leaves that are in a later developmental stage is higher than in small, young leaves.<ref name="Li & Savage 2015" />

The flower buds can be cooked as well. They are sometimes considered a gourmet delicacy, though they are quite small, making the collection of a significant quantity a time-consuming task.<ref name="Chenopodium PFAF" /> Usually, they are steamed in a similar way to broccoli.

The rhizomes can be crushed and used to make confectionery that tastes like peanut butter.<ref name="Duell & Kutzelnigg 2005" />

Though small, the seeds are relatively easy to collect from the mature plant.<ref name="Chenopodium PFAF" /> Due to the saponin content in the seeds, Good-King-Henry has been used traditionally by hunting tribes to stun fish by placing it into streams or lakes.<ref name="Chenopodium PFAF" /> However, after the soaking and rinsing process to remove saponins, the seeds are safe to use. They can be ground into a flour which can then be incorporated into bread.

=== Dye plant === Next to its use as food, the plant can also be used as a dye, producing some green/golden colours.<ref name="Chenopodium PFAF" /> === Medicinal applications === Moreover, its potential in medicinal applications has also been investigated. More recently it has been shown that flavonoids derived from Good-King-Henry exhibit a neuroprotective effect.<ref name="Kokanova-Nedialkova et al. 2017" /><ref name="Kokanova-Nedialkova et al. 2020" /> It is also potentially used as an emollient, vermifuge and gentle laxative.<ref name="Chenopodium PFAF" /> In folk medicine the plant has been used to treat skin inflammations, abscesses but also anemia.<ref name="Pieroni & Giusti 2009" /><ref name="Guarrera & Savo 2013" />

== Cultivation == To ensure successful germination the seeds need a period of cold stratification. Usually 9 weeks at 4°C (40°F) is sufficient. Once stratified they can be germinated at 20°C (70°F). For this reason, sowing in spring is recommended.<ref name="Chenopodium PFAF" /> The difficulty of germination might be due to the thicker seed coat, which increases with higher altitudes.<ref name="Dome 1981" /> While these plants thrive best in fertile, humus-rich ground, they are highly adaptable and will generally succeed in most soil types and conditions. However, they prefer partially shaded spots. If these conditions are met, it is assumed that thirty plants produce enough for four people. They are exceptionally easy to manage because they exhibit a clumping growth habit (meaning their spread is limited), and their root system consists of a deep, descending taproot similar to a carrot. Moreover, there are no pests known that cause considerable harm to the plant.<ref name="Chenopodium PFAF" /> As it originates from the Alps, it can also tolerate very low temperatures.<ref name="The Backyard Larder" /> Due to these reasons it is a promising crop for the future. Up to now, there are only a few cultivars available, since it is mostly grown for domestic use. Nevertheless, it has the potential to be grown in monocultures if the seed proves to have sufficient market value.<ref name="Björklund et al. 2018" /> In this way the plant could contribute to integrate more perennial crops into agricultural systems which would lead to enhanced sustainability.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Chapman EA, Thomsen HC, Tulloch S, Correia PM, Luo G, Najafi J, DeHaan LR, Crews TE, Olsson L, Lundquist PO, Westerbergh A, Pedas PR, Knudsen S, Palmgren M |title=Perennials as Future Grain Crops: Opportunities and Challenges |journal=Front. Plant Sci. |volume=13 |article-number=898769 |date=2022 |doi=10.3389/fpls.2022.898769 |doi-access=free |pmid=35968139 |pmc=9372509 }}</ref>

== Economic aspects == Good-King-Henry has not been incorporated into large scale markets. Because of this, it may face difficulties competing for a market niche already dominated by mass-produced leafy greens such as spinach. This difficulty has been documented in other leafy green alternative crops, such as Chaya. In Chaya the primary inhibiting factors towards market growth were low demand due to a lack of consumer awareness and low profitability over traditional crops.<ref name="Amaya et al. 2020" /> These problems would be substantial hurdles for Good-King-Henry as well to ever reach wider markets.

Good-King-Henry could, however, contribute to small-scale local markets in the same way Chaya does. Seeds are readily available online, so while there is no mass market for Good-King-Henry as a leafy green crop, there is a niche smaller market for it as a garden plant.

==Gallery== <gallery> File:Plants from Passo Pordoi 14.jpg File:Blitum bonus-henricus.jpg File:Chenopodium bonus-henricus sl1.jpg </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="Fuentes 2012">{{cite journal |first1=Susy |last1=Fuentes-Bazan |first2=Pertti |last2=Uotila |first3=Thomas |last3=Borsch |title=A novel phylogeny-based generic classification for ''Chenopodium sensu'' lato, and a tribal rearrangement of Chenopodioideae (Chenopodiaceae) |journal=Willdenowia |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=5–24, See p. 18 |date=2012 |doi=10.3372/wi.42.42101 |jstor=41549006 }}</ref> <ref name="GRIN">{{GRIN|access-date=2016-11-04}}</ref> <ref name="NCBI">{{cite web |title=''Blitum bonus-henricus'' |work=NCBI Taxonomy Browser |publisher=US National Center for Biotechnology Information |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?lin=s&p=has_linkout&id=122298}}</ref> <ref name="Reichenbach">{{cite book |first=Heinrich Gottlieb Ludwig |last=Reichenbach |chapter=AIZOIDEAE. §DCCXXXIII, Blitnum ''L. Erdbeerspinat.'' |chapter-url=https://bibdigital.rjb.csic.es/idviewer/10689/160 |title=Flora Germanica excursoria |publisher=Cnobloch |location=Leipzig |date=1832 |volume=2 |pages=582 |url=}}</ref> <ref name="SpPl">{{cite encyclopedia |first=Carl |last=Linnaeus |chapter=§CHENOPODIUM |chapter-url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/openurl?pid=title:669&volume=1&issue=&spage=218&date=1753 |title=Impensis Laurentii Salvii |encyclopedia=Species Plantarum |publisher=Holmiae |volume=1 |date=1753 |pages=218 }}</ref> <ref name="ThePlantList">{{ThePlantList |id=kew-2717173 |taxon=Chenopodium bonus-henricus |authority= |access-date=2014-11-25}}</ref> <ref name="Tropicos">{{Tropicos|7200026|Chenopodium bonus-henricus |access-date=2014-11-25}}</ref> <ref name="FloraWeb">{{cite web |title=''Chenopodium bonus-henricus'' L. (Guter Heinrich) |date=2023 |work=FloraWeb.de |url=https://www.floraweb.de/php/artenhome.php?suchnr=1521& |language=de}}</ref> <ref name="BotanicHortusGuardians">{{cite web |title=''Blitum bonus-henricus'' |publisher=Botanic Hortus Guardians |url=https://www.botanischetuinen.nl/en/plant_en/341/blitum-bonus-henricus}}</ref> <ref name="The Backyard Larder">{{cite web |title=April Plant Profile: Good King Henry |date=April 2019 |work=The Backyard Larder |url=https://backyardlarder.co.uk/2019/04/april-plant-profile-good-king-henry/}}</ref> <ref name="EuroMedPlantBase">{{cite web |first=P. |last=Uotila |title=Chenopodiaceae (pro parte majore) |date=2011 |url=https://ww2.bgbm.org/EuroPlusMed/PTaxonDetail.asp?NameId=17725&PTRefFk=7300000}}</ref> <ref name="RoyalBotanicGardensKew">{{cite web |title=''Blitum bonus-henricus'' |work=POWO = Plants of the World Online |publisher=Kew Science |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30117327-2}}</ref> <ref name="PlantAtlas2020">{{cite web |title=Good-King-Henry ''Blitum bonus-henricus'' |publisher=Plant Atlas 2020 |url=https://plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9h.vewmg0}}</ref> <ref name="DBIF">{{cite web |title=Chenopodiaceae (family) >> ''Chenopodium bonus-henricus'' |work=BRC Database of Insects and their Food Plants |publisher=Biological Records Centre, UK |url=https://dbif.brc.ac.uk/hostsresults.aspx?hostid=1339}}</ref> <ref name="Li & Savage 2015">{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1=W. |last2=Savage |first2=G.P. |title=Oxalate content of the herb Good-King-Henry, ''Blitum bonus-henricus'' |journal=Foods |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=140–7 |date=2015 |doi=10.3390/foods4020140 |doi-access=free |pmid=28231194 |pmc=5302328 }}</ref> <ref name="Chenopodium PFAF">"Chenopodium bonus-henricus" (Good King Henry) PFAF Plant Database. Retrieved from https://pfaf.org</ref> <ref name="Duell & Kutzelnigg 2005">{{cite book |last1=Düll |first1=R. |last2=Kutzelnigg |first2=H. |title=Taschenlexikon der Pflanzen Deutschlands. Ein botanisch-ökologischer Exkursionsbegleiter zu den wichtigsten Arten |publisher=Quelle & Meyer |location=Wiebelsheim |edition=6., völlig neu bearbeitete Auflage |date=2005 |isbn=3-494-01397-7 |pages=128 }}</ref> <ref name="Kokanova-Nedialkova et al. 2017">{{cite journal |last1=Kokanova-Nedialkova |first1=Z. |last2=Nedialkov |first2=P. |last3=Kondeva-Burdina |first3=M. |last4=Simeonova |first4=R. |last5=Tzankova |first5=V. |last6=Aluani |first6=D. |title=''Chenopodium bonus-henricus'' L. – A source of hepatoprotective flavonoids |journal=Fitoterapia |volume=118 |pages=13–20 |date=2017 |doi=10.1016/j.fitote.2017.02.001 |pmid=28229939}}</ref> <ref name="Kokanova-Nedialkova et al. 2020">{{cite journal |last1=Kokanova-Nedialkova |first1=Z. |last2=Kondeva-Burdina |first2=M. |last3=Nedialkov |first3=P.T. |title=Neuroprotective, anti-α-glucosidase and prolipase active flavonoids from Good King Henry (''Chenopodium bonus-henricus'' L.) |journal=Natural Product Research |volume=35 |issue=23 |pages=5484–8 |date=2020 |doi=10.1080/14786419.2020.1784172 |pmid=32597284 }}</ref> <ref name="Pieroni & Giusti 2009">{{cite journal |last1=Pieroni |first1=A. |last2=Giusti |first2=M.E. |title=Alpine ethnobotany in Italy: Traditional knowledge of gastronomic and medicinal plants among the Occitans of the upper Varaita Valley, Piedmont |journal=Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |volume=5 |article-number=32 |date=2009 |doi=10.1186/1746-4269-5-32 |doi-access=free |pmid=19895681 |pmc=2780386 }}</ref> <ref name="Guarrera & Savo 2013">{{cite journal |last1=Guarrera |first1=P.M. |last2=Savo |first2=V. |title=Perceived health properties of wild and cultivated food plants in local and popular traditions of Italy: A review |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |volume=146 |issue=3 |pages=659–680 |date=2013 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2013.01.036 }}</ref> <ref name="Dome 1981">{{cite journal |first=A.J. |last=Dome |title=Variation in seed germination inhibition of ''Chenopodium bonus-henricus'' in relation to altitude of plant growth |journal=Canadian Journal of Botany |volume=59 |pages=1893–1901 |date=1981 |issue=10 |doi=10.1139/b81-249 }}</ref> <ref name="Björklund et al. 2018">{{cite journal |last1=Björklund |first1=J. |last2=Eksvärd |first2=K. |last3=Schaffer |first3=C. |title=Exploring the potential of edible forest gardens: experiences from a participatory action research project in Sweden |journal=Agroforestry Systems |volume=93 |pages=1107–18 |date=2018 |issue=3 |doi=10.1007/s10457-018-0208-8 }}</ref> <ref name="Amaya et al. 2020">{{cite journal |last1=Amaya |first1=N. |last2=Padulosi |first2=S. |last3=Meldrum |first3=G. |title=Value Chain Analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala |journal=Economic Botany |volume=74 |pages=100–114 |date=2020 |doi=10.1007/s12231-019-09483-y |hdl=10568/106304 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> <ref name="Francis-Baker21">{{Cite book |last=Francis-Baker |first=Tiffany |title=Concise Foraging Guide |date=2021 |publisher=Bloomsbury |isbn=978-1-4729-8474-6 |series=The Wildlife Trusts |location=London |pages=52}}</ref> }}

==External links== *{{Commons-inline}} *{{Wikispecies inline|Blitum bonus-henricus}}

bonus-henricus Category:Flora of Europe Category:Leaf vegetables Category:Perennial vegetables Category:Stem vegetables Category:Flora of New Jersey Category:Plants described in 1753 Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Category:Flora without expected TNC conservation status

Blitum bonus-henricus

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