Pennywort (i think) - edible? Inedible lookalikes?

[BigShot]

I've been hitching around Ireland for the past week (back in Blighty now) and saw lots of a plant I've seen before and I'm sure is edible,

I think it is pennywort... it was growing in the cracks between the stones in a derelict church in Co. Clare just a short way from the Cliffs of Moher.

Assuming it is pennywort, is it safe to eat?
Is there was anything it can be confused with that isn't?

 

[John Fenna]

I do not know if there are any poisonous lookalikes in Ireland, but Wall Pennywort/Navelwort is a delicious treat in salads, tasteing very much like mangetout peas - crisp and sweet!
Love it!

 

[xpolex]

pennywort is great with mixed rocket and wild onions/garlic on baked spuds also good for canine herbal remedies....

 

[John Fenna]

Wall pennywort and Jack by the hadge wrapped in a couple of fresh new beech leaves makes a great trail nibble - pick it as you walk, eat it as you walk....

 

[xpolex]

cheers john will be trying that out.

 

[BigShot]

Any lookalikes outside Ireland, John?
Particularly in England and on the continent (I spend a bit of time in France and occasionally Switzerland).

I had a munch on a leaf to see how it tasted (reminded me somewhat of lettuce in flavour with a bit more flavour to it) but though I liked it a lot, I spat it out to be on the safe side. I was almost convinced it was good to eat but decided to err on the side of caution anyway. Not that I expect a single leaf of most things would cause too much bother.

 

[John Fenna]

Sorry - I only know my own backyard - West Wales...

 

[BigShot]

Any in that area?

 

[John Fenna]

Not that I am aware of......yet....

 

[falling rain]

The only 'lookalike' I can think of is Marsh pennywort which grows (amazingly enough) in marshy, damp/wet places. I'm not sure if Marsh pennywort is also edible but there is a danger of liver fluke that also likes the same damp areas, so maybe best to avoid it. Marsh pennywort grows throughout Britain whereas Wall pennywort/Navelwort grows mainly in Western Britain in Cornwall/Devon/ and western Wales and western Scotland.
There's loads of it down the lanes on Dartmoor and I've also seen it on sea facing cliffs when I've been fishing, so it must be tolerant of the the sea air. The flower spikes look a bit like foxglove stems but are light green rather than purple so there shouldn't be a danger of confusing the 2. As with all edible leaves it's probably best to give them a rinse in fresh water first though.
I've only ever munched a few whilst out walking, but they'd go well in a cheese sandwich or a salad I expect. I'll give that a go next time.

 

[John Fenna]

In west Wales the rinsing is free and automatic - RAIN!

 

[Jumbalaya]

Assuming it is pennywort, is it safe to eat?
Is there was anything it can be confused with that isn't?

If it's the straight 'Navelwort' [Umbilicus rupestris] then that's edible, although it is diuretic too. The Marsh Pennywort is one that you should possibly (I say possibly since there is no 'hard' evidence in humans) leave alone as there are problems with it in relation to livestock.

Best
Marcus

 

[John Fenna]

Why are so many good wild foods Diuretic - ie Wall Pennywort and dandelion?
Are they taking the...micky...or what!

 

[haypxx]

My wife was very reluctant to try wild foods until I pointed out most of them are Diuretic, now she's all for them. I wonder why