Florida Pennyroyal was once a dependable nectar crop

Florida Pennyroyal: Piloblephis rigida

You will thoroughly enjoy tea made by Florida’s native pennyroyal, or maybe even a Mint Julep Floridana.

An evergreen, pennyroyal is found only in peninsular Florida, a few western Bahamas islands, and maybe a foot or two across the state line into Georgia. It is unlike all other mints and is in a class all by itself, a family of one with the botanical name of Piloblephis rigida (pil-oh-BLEF-is RIDGE-jid-du.)

First it was called Satureja rigida, then Pycnothymus rigida and lastly Piloblephis rigida. Pilo in Greek is hairy, and blephis is eyelid, referring to hairs on the blossom. Rigida refers to the stiff branches.  For folks who’ve lived in more northern climes, the Florida Pennyroyal looks like a soft, green little juniper bush, minus the berries and sharp needle points leaves.

Make a tea and drives away fleas

The Mickosukee and Seminoles enjoyed brewing tea from it and flavored soups with pennyroyal. They also would put it in a small bag of it in a pet’s bed to repel fleas. Its oil has been used as an insect repellant.  It fact, it was considered a promising compound but the plant does not produce a consistent amount of the oil, some plants none at all.  More than that, the plant is rather scarce. It blooms primely November to April but can blossom all year. It used to be a good nectar producer for bees, but no longer is considered reliable. However, butterflies like it and it’s a tough and pretty plant for xeriscaping on acidic soil. Propagation is usually from root cuttings. The species is not easy to transplant. I’ve only seen it growing in a few places in central Florida, usually along paths or woods roads through palmetto/pine scrub. It is rare to find one plant by itself. While they don’t grow in colonies per se but they will line up along a trail or path.

Florida’s pennyroyal had a significant place among Native AMericans, from the practical to the ceremonial. It was added to food after there was a recent death in the family, and was used as an emetic during religious ceremonies. It was prescribed for colds, fevers,  dermatological problem, sores and ulcers of the legs and feet, and chronically ill babies. Besides a flavoring it was also used like smelling salts to revive the unconscious.

Though called pennyroyal, it is not related to the common pennyroyal, Mentha pulegium. Florida pennyroyal carries, however, the same warning and should be avoided by those pregnant. Making tea depends upon personal preference. I use about a quarter teaspoon of dried leaves per cup of hot water. Adjust according to taste.

As for the English word “pennyroyal.” It started out in Latin as puleium, or flea bane — drive away fleas. From there it became pulex. Then the Normans changed it to puliol. Soon it was pennyroyal, and the Indians used it to drive away fleas… small world.

Green Deane’s “Itemized” Plant Profile

IDENTIFICATION: Five-lipped flowers, two up, three below, top petals pale purple, lower petals dotted purple, four stamen,  blooms all year, least in the hot summer months. Leaves opposite, numerous, thick, needle-like, evergreen. Stem woody, usually less than a foot tall.

TIME OF YEAR: Available all year

ENVIRONMENT: Usually found in the same environment as gopher apples, id est, dry sandy habitats, xeric sites, oak hammocks, sand hills, longleaf pine/turkey oak sand hills, sandy pine flatwoods, scrub, barrens, dunes and similar habitats.

METHOD OF PREPARATION: Fresh or dried leaves for tea for flavoring. An intense mint, use sparingly.

Pennyworts in blossom

A Pennywort For Your Thoughts

It’s one of those practices of civilization that plants with little flavor or calories — lettuce for example — are esteemed and popular, but, plants that can save your life have herbicides heaped on them. Case in point: Hydrocotyle bonariensis (high-dro-KOT-ill-lee boe-nar-ree-EN-sis) above, and its cousin, Centella erecta, (sen-TEL-la ee-RECK-tuh ).

In fact, a report in the Journal of Natural Medicines, 13 Feb 2008, found two new antioxidants in the Centella asiatica, discussed below, and presumably those are also to be found in the Centella erecta, below.

These perky relatives of the celery clan are prime invaders of southern lawns.  You can’t blame them. Florida lawns are nearly perfect conditions: Sunny above, damp below with only decapitated grass for competition. That’s a pennywort’s definition of heaven, or a coinwort’s definition. It’s also the dollar weed’s idea, too.  These “moneyworts” have many names and cash attached to their name, in more ways than one:  You can buy them in powdered form in the health food stores; as tea or soda in Asian markets, or on their produce stand; as a side dish in an Oriental restaurant; or, change under your feet.  In fact, I win a lot of bets with pennyworts: It makes a lot of cents.

I learned long ago at social functions not to mention I’m a writer because someone always thinks their life story is fascinating and will sell millions of books if I would only write it, payment out of the proceeds, of course.  I’ve actually thought of telling people my occupation is robbing banks: I set my own hours, get to travel, I’m home on the weekends, I meet interesting people, the pay is good , I have federal holidays off and the vacations are long…. Anyway, everytime I say I know a thing or two about weeds and can find something to eat in almost anyone’s lawn that is often followed by “prove it.”  In our manicured, raked and landscaped suburbs, the pennywort usually saves the day.  It may also save lives.

Plants are natural chemical factories. These weeds have a chemical, like celery, that helps the aorta and  blood vessels relax. They do that by increasing the amount of nitrous oxide available and that can lower blood pressure.  In India, Centella has been used for that purpose for some 3,000 years. Nice of modern science to confirm it.  The plant has a host of other properties as well from affecting blood cell development to wound care to reducing edema. It’s a little plant that can. By the way, Centella means “little coin” because the leaf surface is shiny and reflects light (and why all of the money names.) Erecta is upright. Hydrocotyle is from Greek meaning flat cup — the leaves can hold water — and Bonariensis translates into “of Buenos Aires” which is another way of saying South America, where they thought it came from originally.

The most common is the native pennywort, the round Hydrocotyle bonariensis, and the main lawn interloper. It’s about the size of a silver dollar under good conditions. Its stem attaches to the center of the leaf. Next is its close cousin, the Marsh Pennywort, or Hydrocotyle umbellata (um-bell-AY-tuh  which means with umbels.)  Equally edible, one often sees wading limpkins running across the top of floating masses of Marsh Pennywort, hoping to turn bug into bird. The Hydrocotyle bonariensis and Hydrocotyle umbellata are similar in appearance except the latter can easily grow far larger.

Centella erecta

The Centella erecta is smaller than either and less common. Its one leaf is shovel- or heart-shaped and the stem is attached off center. This particular wetwort used to be called Centella asiatica (from Asia)  but geneticists say the Centella in the southern United States is not exactly like the Centella in southern Asia, but they are so close only geneticists can tell them apart, or care to.  While not a native, Centella erecta has been in North America for perhaps thousands of years, hitch hiking on the feet of wading birds they think. Incidentally, Hydrocotyle mexicana is also edible.

In Asian cooking the Centella is often called Gotu Kola. It‘s used, for example, as a leafy green in Sri Lankan cooking. As the dish “mallung” it is a traditional accompaniment with rice and curry. It’s also served with vegetarian dishes such as parippu.  Charmaine Solomon, author of the Encyclopedia of Asian Food, says the Centellas:

“… have a slight bitter tang and are good to eat combined with shallots and lightly seasoned. Another way this leaf is taken is as a sweetened beverage. Look in the refrigerator section of large Asian grocery stores and there, among the canned soft drinks featuring tropical fruit juices, you will also find pennywort drink. The canned version does not appeal much in colour or flavour; but the drink made with fresh pennywort leaves is entirely different and very refreshing. Frothy and bright green, its piquant herb flavour sweetened by the addition of sugar syrup and poured over crushed ice, it quenches thirst and does you good at the same time. In Vietnamese areas, certain shops make it to order. If you have a supply of leaves, it is easy enough to make at home.”

If you are inclined to nibble some pennywort  or Gotu Kola you should do two things. First, make sure you have someone who knows what they are doing identify them, particularly the Gotu Kola. There are a couple of look alikes in Florida that could confuse a novice. And, more than that, as a water-loving plants they’re quick to pick up and store pollution and bacteria or that pesticide you put on your lawn. Collect them from clean places.

And penultimately, in folklore pennywort tea supposedly helped one Chinese master live to 256. It also helped a king fulfill his husbandly duties to his 50 wives….. That should make it disappear from lawns.

Pennywort Salad

From Encyclopedia of Asian Food

By Charmaine Solomon

2 bunches gotu-kola or

about 250 g/8 oz/ 2 cups leaves without stems

3 shallots or

1 small onion, finely chopped

Good squeeze lime or

lemon juice

1 sliced chilli (optional)

75 g/2-1/2 oz/1 cup fresh grated coconut

Salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon sugar

Wash well and strip leaves from stems. Shred finely with a sharp knife, combine with other ingredients and serve immediately. The flavor is slightly sour, slightly bitter. Some people prefer this salad to be lightly cooked, if so bring a tablespoon of water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the boil in a wok or pan, add all ingredients and toss over heat briefly, stopping before leaves lose their green color.

Green Deane’s “Itemized” Plant Profile

IDENTIFICATION: Hydrocotyle bonariensis, very smooth glabrous, stems slender, creeping; leaves on long slender stems, leave scalloped and stem attached in the middle of the leaf.  With the Centella it attaches on the edge.

TIME OF YEAR: Year round

ENVIRONMENT: Any place wet to damp, lawns, parks, any place kept moist. Don’t collect them from ditches.

METHOD OF PREPARATION: Raw or cooked like any other green. Singificant amounts raw can lower blood pressure.

Pigeon Plums ripening

Coccoloba diversifolia: Seagrape Sibling

The first time you see a Pigeon Plum it will look familiar. In the same genus as the Seagrape it shares a family resemblance. In fact, it’s also called Pigeon Seagrape along with Dove Plum and Tie-tongue.

Like many plants (or siblings) who have a more famous relative the Pigeon Plum is in the shadow of the Seagrape (did you know Princess Grace Kelly’s brother and father, John Jr. & John Sr., were both Olympic gold medalists?) While both the Seagrape and Pigeon Plum can be eaten out of hand, the latter benefits from being allow to dry then rehydrated. The fruit is eaten or made into jelly or wine. The jelly tastes almost identical to apple jelly. Some folks in the Caribbean make the Pigeon Plum into a very potent distillation. Because of the astringency the berries store well but earned them the common name of Tie-tongue. They are often sold in Caribbean markets and were an important food for the Mikasukis Indians.

Botany Lesson Boardering On Boring: The scientific name of the tree is Coccoloba diversifolia ( koe-koe-LOE-buh dye-ver-sih-FOLE-ee-uh).  Coccoloba comes from “coccum” which is Dead Latin for “berry, and loba meaning lobe. Diversifolia means different leaves which in this tree can mean pointed tips or a round tips.  The leaf stems (petioles) also appear to wrap around the main stem with a clasping ring, a unique feature. The berry is actually an achene (ay-KEEN, not uh-KEEN) which is from the Greek ἀ + χαίνειν (HAY-neen from χαίνω, HAY-know) meaning to gape. As used it means a small dry, hard, one seeded indehiscent fruit. Indehiscent (in-duh-HISS-ent) means not opening at maturity (to release its seed or seeds.) Although the Pigeon Plum fruit and the Sunflower seed in a shell are very different — one fleshy and one hard — they are both indehiscent and achenes; there is a gap between the seed and its outside and the outside does not open to release the seed. I would add the fruit of the cabbage palm as well as an example of an indehiscent fruit and an achene. Another way of saying is “it looks like the seed shrunk inside.”

Green fruit, ripening fruit, dried fruit. Photo by Green Deane

The Pigeon Plum is an upright tree with dense leaves and evergreen but it can dump a lot of leaves around March putting on new red ones. Flowers are three-inch long racemes (spikes) in early summer turning into multiple 1/3 inch peach-shaped green fruit that ripen to dark purple that persist on the tree. While usually 25 to 35 feet at maturity it can grow larger. Young trees look pyramidal but then the tree usually develops multiple trunks which can make older trees look like rounded vases.

In the Buckwheat family this tree was used for centuries to produce a tannin called Kino that was used medicinally. Now it is mostly an ornamental plant producing what some call a marginally edible fruit. That is a bit puckish. If it were the only fruit in season and your only choice it would be a great fruit of many uses. But if one has hundreds of fruits most bred to be sweet and inoffensive then it becomes a marginal fruit. As mentioned, dried “plums” rehydrated are the best tasting. It is not unusual in non-commercial fruit trees that the best fruit are the ones you have to fight the ants for.

If modern man has taste issue with the tree, birds do not, especially pigeons and doves, which is why it is called Pigeon Plum and Dove Plum. Bird watchers know to find that tree to sight those birds. (An accessible specimen grows in Dreher Park in West Palm Beach, FL, just east of the Zoo.) More so, the fruit can ferment on the tree. Ethnobotanist Dr. Daniel Austin in his book Florida Ethnobotany reports seeing a Mocking Bird once drunk on Pigeon Plum fruit. Among the other wildlife that visit the tree are catbirds, robins, woodpeckers, small rodents and raccoons.

In Florida, you can find the Pigeon plum in coastal central and southern Florida from Brevard County south through the Keys and into the counties of Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Collier, and Lee. It also grows in the Bahamas, throughout the Caribbean, in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Green Deane’s “Itemized” Plant Profile

IDENTIFICATION: Tree to 70 feet, usually half that size or less. Straight trunk compact head. Branches don’t droop. Bark light gray, on older trees flaking in large scales. Leaves, alternate, simple, no teeth, oblong to ovate, some blunt tips, some pointed tips, pinnate, evergreen, two to four inches long. Flowers creamy-white spike. Fruit dark purple. oval to pear shaped, in clusters, thin-fleshed, juicy, can be astringent, single hard seed resembling a Seagrape seed.  Mostly dark brown with pointed tip.

TIME OF YEAR: Fruits fall to winter

ENVIRONMENT: Full sun, can tolerate some shade, drought tolerant, can tolerate some salt, found mostly in coastal areas.

METHOD OF PREPARATION: Eaten raw, made into jelly, wine or distilled spirits. Raw fruit better if dehydrated some first, better cooked if rehydrated first.

Pickerel Weed in blossom

Pontederia cordata: In a PR Pickerel

Pickerel Weed Primer 

 If the Pickerelweed could commiserate, it would find a friend with the Natal Plum. The Natal Plum has a deadly relative, the Oleander, which gets all the attention. The Pickerelweed’s close cousin, the Water Hyacinth, is arguably the most despised and expensive weed in the world. While damning the hyacinth few praise the Pickerelweed.

Pickerel Weed seeds and seed stalk

It’s found in eastern North America then down to Argentina. Also in Oregon and as an ornamental in Europe and elsewhere. It’s given short shift in many foraging books. Its seeds, however, are nutritious and can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be boiled like rice or roasted. Parched for a few minutes they are excellent. When dried they make a good grain for bread. Its young unfurled leaves can be eaten raw or boiled for about 10 minutes. Stalks are edible as well.

Two advantages of the Pickerelweed is that if it comes from wholesome water the leaves and seeds need no cooking. In fact where I live it is about the only source of starch that does not need to be cooked.

Deer are particularly fond of Pickerelweed, as are muskrats and pickerels in more northern climes. It’s been around long enough to have its own bee for pollination, the Dufourea novae-angliae, which visits this plant for nectar and pollen and does not visit any other plant. Several ducks also eat the seeds including Mallard, Black Duck, Green-Winged Teal, and Wood Duck.

Cordata means heart-shaped and Pontederia honors Italian physician Guilio Pontedera, who also kept the Botanical Gardens at Padua for 38 years. The name is said pon-tee-DEER-ree-uh kor-DAY-tuh.

Green Deane’s “Itemized” Plant Profile

Giulio Pontedera 1688–1757

IDENTIFICATION: Large plant to four feet, produces one spike of small lavender stalkless flowers, 50 to 100 of them. Long, heart-shaped leaves, or arrow shaped or lance shaped. The flower stem rises above the leaves except one leaf reaches up and grows behind the flower. Veins of leaf are parallel, J-curved, never with net-like veins between them.

TIME OF YEAR: Blossoms in summer seeds in fall, however in Florida it can bloom from March to November.

ENVIRONMENT: It likes shallow water, a foot deep or so, either the edge of a slow moving stream, or ponds and lakes.

METHOD OF PREPARATION: Seeds, raw or cooked, parched, boiled or roasted, best collected when they fall into your hand off the plant. They make a good flour.  I like to lightly roast them and take them on the trail with me. Young unfurled leaves and stalks boiled.