Page Created by Connecticut Foraging Club
Upcoming Events | Meet the Instructors | Plant Archive | Mushroom Archive
----------------
Upcoming Events | Meet the Instructors | Plant Archive | Mushroom Archive
----------------
Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is an invasive, yet edible plant in the mustard family.
![](https://eattheplanet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/338170653_175199682001537_2356415912762024880_n.jpg)
In early spring, you can find the basal rosette of Dame’s rocket leaves in disturbed areas. The leaves are covered in small, fuzzy hairs and have irregularly toothed margins.
![](https://eattheplanet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/338016348_986928249348502_3605427772947876309_n.jpg)
Dame’s rocket leaves taste like peppery arugula. They are best foraged for before the plant sends up a flower stalk. At this point, the leaves become tougher and more bitter.
![](https://eattheplanet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/338340982_1371812063584203_8261137071974243991_n.jpg)
The leaves can be added raw to salads or cooked similarly to mustard greens. Blanching the leaves will remove the fuzzy texture.
--
Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.