cornsalad, Valerianella locusta

Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your salad!? In this plant's native Alps, it is called rapunzel and seems to have been the source of the Princess' name. Cornsalad has long been a popular green vegetable in Eurasia. That might explain why it is now well established here around a local nursery, even though they don't remember ever selling it. The several species of cornsalad are unusual in Michigan. This one has only been found once before in 1929-30 in the most southwestern county. But a short trip south toward the Ohio River makes them easy to find (more on that in the blog). This species has been found and probably eaten in AL, AR, CA, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WV. I can vouch for it's being nibbled here. Lenawee Co MI, 5/6/15. Valerian family, Valerianaceae.