The Aster or Sunflower family.
Adenocaulon bicolor, Hook. China: leaves eaten with oil and salt. Ref. READ.
Arctium Lappa, L. (syn. Lappa major, Gaertn.; Arctium majus, Bernh.) China: roots and leaves eaten. It may be eaten raw. France: starch of root recommended for extending bread flour, after removal of bitter element. Chemical composition: Protein = 3.5%. Fat = 1.8%. Carbohydrate = 19.4%. Ash = 8.7%. Root is mucilaginous and contains a small amount of volatile oil. Vernacular names: Great Burdock, Gobo. Ref. READ, PARMENTIER.
Artemisia keiskiana, Miq. China: leaves and shoots eaten. Western Asia and Siberia: used as a flavoring for salads, sauces, and condiments. Chemical composition: Protein = 5.56%. Fat = 1.16%. Carbohydrate = 9.46%. Ash = 2.55%. Vernacular name: Cotton Thatch. Ref. READ.
Artemisia lavændulæfolia, DC. China: leaf eaten. Chemical composition (Indian sample): Protein = 2.93%. Fat = 2.59%. Carbohydrate = 26.5%. Ash = 10.13%. Rich in sugar, Vitamin A, and Adenine. Ref. READ.
Artemisia Stelleriana, Bess. China: shoots and leaves eaten. Vernacular names: Dusty Miller, Beech Wormwod. Ref. READ.
Artemisia vulgaris, L. Japan: processed into flour during the period of food scarcity following World War II (ca. 1945-1946). In previous times, the young plant was eaten during Spring, and also used for flavoring mochi, or dan-go. Vernacular name: Mugwort. Ref. S.C.A.P.; UPHOF.
Artemisia vulgaris, L., var. parviflora, Maxim. China; leaves eaten with oil and salt. Ref. READ.
Aster indicus, L. (syn. Boltonia indica, Benth.). China: leaves eaten with oil and salt. Vernacular name: Indian Aster. Ref. READ.
Aster trinervius, L. China: leaves eaten with oil and salt. Chemical composition (Shanghai area sample) (leafy shoots): Protein = 3.9%. Fat = 0.19%. Carbohydrate = 5.9%. Ash = 1.81%. Vernacular name: Purple Aster. Ref. READ.
Aster trinervius, Roxb. var. adustus, Maxim. China: shoots and leaves eaten. Ref. READ.
Aster Tropolium, L. China: shoots and leaves eaten. Chemical composition (stem): Ash = 8.4%; (leaf) = 9.0% (chiefly sodium chloride). Medical use: this is Galen's Aste attikus used, in the Middle Ages, for mild stomach and eye complaints. Vernacular name: Sea Aster. Ref. READ.
Asteromæa cantonensis, DC. China: leaves eaten with oil and salt. Vernacular name: Sixth Month Aster. Ref. READ.
Atractylis ovata, Thunb. China: root eaten. Chemical compostion: essential oil = 1.5%. Also contains resin. Reported exceedingly rich in Vitamin A. Ref. READ.
Baccharis salcifolia (R & P) Pers. North America (southwestern United States): greens eaten by Native American Mohave and Yuman groups. Ref. CASTETTER & BELL, MINNIS.
Cacalia aconitifolia, Bunge. China: leaves eaten with oil and salt. Vernacular name: Hare's Umbrella. Ref. READ.
Cacalia Krameri, Mats. China: leaves eaten with oil and salt, Ref. READ.
Calendula officinalis, L. China: shoots and leaves eaten. Vernacular name: Marigold. Ref. READ.
Carduus marianus, L. France: root recommended as a famine food after boiling in water. Ref. PARMENTIER.
Carduus tomentosa, Gililb. France: root recommended as a famine food, after boiling in water. Ref. PARMENTIER.
Carpesium abrotanoides, L. China: shoots and leaves eaten. Vernacular name: Pig's Head. Ref. READ.
Carpesium cernum, L. China: leaves eaten with oil and salt. Ref. READ.
Carthamus tinctorius, L. China: shoots and leaves eaten. India (Deccan): leaves and seeds eaten. Vernacular name: Safflower. Ref. READ, WATT.
Chrysanthemum coronarium, L. China: stems and leaves eaten. Chemical composition: Protein = 1.85%. Fat = 0.43%. Carbohydrate = 2.57%. Ash = 0.92%. Reportedly rich in Vitamin B1, with a moderate amount of Vitamin C, and a small amount of Vitamin A. Vernacular name: Garland Chrysanthemum. Ref READ, UPHOF.
Chrysanthemum segetum, L. China: shoots and leaves eaten. Plant contains the aromatic element cumarin. Vernacular name: Corn Chrysanthemum. Ref. READ.
Chrysanthemum sinense, Sabina. (syn. Pyrethrum sinense, DC.). China: leaves and flowers eaten in soups. Chemical composition (flowers): Protein = 1.9%. Fat = 0.91%. Carbohydrate = 5.3%%. Ash = 0.66%. Vernacular name: Chrysanthemum. Ref. READ.
Cichorium divaricatum, Heldr. ex Nym.; Schouab. Tunisia: young plants gathered and used in soups or eaten with butter, or oil and salt. They are rarely eaten in salads. Vernacular names - Arabic (Gabes region): Serisa, Djouldjoulane, Tilfaf, Mersag, Hendeb. Berber: Ahrlilou, Timerzoug, Tsalina, Timizgat. Ref. BOUQUET.
Cichorium intybus, L. Tunisia: as for Cichorium divaricatum. Ref. BOUQUET.
Cichorium sylvestre, Lam. France: root recommended as a famine food after extensive boiling to remove the bitter element. Vernacular name: Wild Chicory. Ref. PARMENTIER.
Cirsium maackii, Maxim. Manchuria: tips of shoots eaten. Ref. BARANOV.
Cirsium schantarense, Tr. & Mey. Manchuria (eastern forests): tips of shoots eaten. Ref. BARANOV.
Cnicus japonicum, Maxim. China: young leaves and roots eaten. Vernacular name: Cat Thistle. Ref. READ.
Cnicus spicatus, Maxim. China: leafy shoots eaten. Vernacular name: Tiger Thistle. Ref. READ.
Crepis japonica, Benth. China: stems and leaves eaten. Vernacular name: Hawk's Beard. Ref. READ.
Cynara cardunculus, L. Tunisia: the leaf ribs (Arabic: Djimar) are cooked in stews, added as a garnish to couscous, and put in soups. The flower-heads (Arabic: Garnoun) are eaten raw or cooked after removal of the spines. Vernacular names - Arabic: Korchef, Gernina, Tindjara, Djenah en nser, Querdoun beldi. Berber: Taga, Tarha, Ahrdou, Taredouit, Assaouen. Mzab: Targhdiout. Chemical composition (seeds): high values for the following amino acids - Adenine, Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Isoleucine and Leucine. Very high values for Phenylalanine and Valine. Ref. BOUQUET; VAN ETTEN et al.
Dicoria brandegei, Gray. North America (Arizona): flowers and fruit eaten by Native American Hopi group. Ref. MINNIS, WHITING.
Echinops dahuricus, Fisch. China: leaves eaten with oil and salt. Vernacular name: Globe-Thistle. Ref. READ.
Eclipta alba, Haask. China: leaves eaten with oil and salt. Java: cooked leaves eaten. India: leaves eaten. Vernacular name -Igatpuri, Nasik district, Bombay Presidency: Tandala, Ink Plant. Ref. GAMMIE, READ.
Elephantropus scaber, L. China: leaves eaten with oil and salt. Characteristically mucilaginous and astringent. Vernacular name: Elephant's Foot. Ref. READ.
Erigeron kamschaticus, DC. China: seeds made into flour. Vernacular names - Chinese: P'eng. English: Fleabane. Ref. SCHAEFER in CHANG.
Glossocardia lineafolia, Cass. India: leaves eaten. Ref. GAMMIE.
Gnaphalium japonicum, Thunb. China; shoots and leaves eaten. Vernacular name: Everlasting Flower. Ref. READ.
Goniocaulon glabrum, Cass. India (Bombay Presidency): leaves boiled in water and mixed with salt and chili powder when available. Vernacular names - Bombay Presidency: Kasmud ("universally"[sic]); Khamgaon Tank, Poona district, Bombay Presidency: Kat kasmud. Ref. GAMMIE.
Guizotia abyssinica, Cass. India (Bombay Presidency): leaves eaten. Vernacular name - Akola, Ahmednagar district: Khurosui. Ref. GAMMIE.
Hemizonia fasciculata (DC) Torr. and Gray. California: plant boiled to a thick, tarry liquid and eaten in time of famine by Native American groups. Ref. PALMER, YANOVSKY.
Heteropappus hispidus, Less. China: leaves eaten with oil and salt. Ref. READ.
Hypochoeris sonchioides, H.B.K. Peru (Vilacanota Valley): leaves boiled andused as a pot-herb. Plant grows along irrigation ditches. Vernacular name - Quechua: Miski pilli. Ref. GADE.
Inula britannica, L. China; leaves eaten and reported to contain a bitter element. Flowers reportedly slightly toxic. Vernacular name: Elecampane. Ref. READ.
Inula britannica, L. var. japonica,Thunb. Manchuria: young leaves eaten. Ref. BARANOV.
Ixeris chinensis, Nakai, ssp. versicolor, Kitag. Manchuria: young plants eaten. Ref. BARANOV.
Lactuca debilis, Maxim. China: shoots and leaves eaten. Vernacular name: Wild Lettuce. Ref. READ.
Lactuca sibirica, Benth. Manchuria: young plants eaten. Ref. BARANOV.
Launæa nudicaulus, Less. India (Bombay Presidency): leaves eaten. Vernacular name - Walha Parincha Road, Poona district, Bombay Presidency: Patri. Ref. GAMMIE.
Launæa pinnatifida, Cass. India (Bombay Presidency): leaves eaten. (Deccan): herb eaten; (Rajasthan, western): leaves eaten. Soil type favored by plant: sandy plains. Vernacular names -Bombay Presidency, Bijapur district, Badami: Pathuri, Hattarki. Rajasthan (western): Pathri. Ref. GAMMIE; GUPTA & KANODIA, SAXENA; SHANKARNARAYAN & SAXENA, WATT.
Ligularia japonica, Less. China: as for Cassia Sophora, L. [CÆSALPINIACEAE] Ref. READ.
Picris echinoides, L. France: root recommended as a famine food. Ref. PARMENTIER.
Saussurea affinis, Spr. China: shoots and leaves eaten. Vernacular name: Saussurea. Ref. READ.
Scorzonera humilis, L.; Jacq. France: root recommended as a famine food. Ref. PARMENTIER.
Senecio palmatus, Pall. China: leaves boiled then washed repeatedly to remove bitter element. Eaten with oil and salt. Japan: young leaves eaten by Ainu. Vernacular name: Ragwort. Ref. READ, UPHOF.
Siegesbeckia orientalis, L. China: leaves and shoots eaten after boiling and washing to remove the bitter, possibly toxic element darutin. Vernacular name: Herb de Flacq. Ref. READ.
Sonchus oleraceus, L. India (Bombay Presidency): leaves eaten. . Zululand (Ubombo district): leaves and berries eaten. China: stems and leaves eaten. Australia: stems, young shoots and roots eaten. Chemical composition (Chinese sample): Protein = 1.2%. Fat = 0.3%. Carbohydrate = 2.4%. Ash = 1.2%. Reportedly rich in Vitamin C. Vernacular names - Ahmednagar district, Bombay Presidency: Pathari. Zulu: Bis. English: Milky Tassel, Milkweed, Common Sowthistle, Hare's Lettuce. East Gippsland Aborigines: Thalaak. Ref. GAMMIE, HELY-HUTCHINSON, IRVINE, MAIDEN, READ.
Tragopogon pratensis, L. France: root recommended as a famine food. Ref. PARMENTIER.
Tussilago Farfara, L. China: young leaves boiled, then washed to remove tannin, then eaten with oil and salt. Chemical composition: ash rich in zinc (ca. 3.4%). Vernacular name: Coltsfoot. Ref. READ.
Xanthium strumarium, L. China: seeds ground into flour and baked into cakes. Young leafy shoots thoroughly boiled and washed to remove bitter element, possibly tannin as the plant is an active styptic. Manchuria: leaves eaten. Chemical composition (seeds): Protein = 36.7%. Fat = 38.6%. Ash = 5.18%. A glucoside: xanthostrumarium. Some Vitamin C. High amino acid values: Glutamic acid = 2.48g per 16g of nitrogen. Phenylalanine = 5.8g per 16g of nitrogen. Plant reported to be injurious at all stages of growth, and to act toxically on the heart. Ref. BARANOV, BURKILL, READ, VAN ETTEN.