A Week of Drymary

“Drymaria cordata is one of those plants that confounds the mind”

― Green Deane

 

Due to its appearance, Drymary (Drymaria cordata) is also known as Tropical Chickweed. This hearty plant grows abundantly during this time of year and is used all over the world as food and medicine. It’s one of the most aggressive “weeds” in the world, with seeds that stick! 

Image via: https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/research/weedsbyflowercolor/white/drymariacordata/

 

Drymary is abundant and resilient, used in practices to enhance fertility and fortune for ages. The prolific seeds are used by the shamans of central Nepal in their religious and divinatory rituals. Associated with the mind, carrying dried leaves can increase psychic abilities. 

Image via: https://treasurecoastnatives.wordpress.com/2018/03/02/drymary-west-indian-chickweed/

 

Drymay is considered one of the most valuable medicinal plants in the world. The subspecies diandra is highly prized in India in treating headache, ulcers, sleep disorders, convulsions, even as a poultice on sores. Ongoing studies on sleep disorders and cognition show much promise! 

Image via: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60433522-2

 

You’ve seen it in your yard, you’ve carried it on your shoes, you may have picked it off your dog’s fur - yes, it’s Drymary! This abundant native plant is well adapted to our soil and conditions, growing well in the moist and sandy Florida soils. Be careful, it spreads rapidly! 

Image via: https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/research/weedsbyflowercolor/white/drymariacordata/

 

There is not much lore to be found about Drymary, perhaps due to its long term status as a “weed”. The origins of the name are Greek, with drymos meaning “a wood”, and cordata meaning “heart-shaped”. This indicates the first species found enjoyed the shade of a forest canopy. 

Image via: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/cabicompendium.20020

 

After all we’ve learned, Drymary is still a weed and so there aren’t many recipes! We have found an interesting preparation in a book called Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania. The young leaves and shoots are cooked with amaranth, bidens, and vegetables, then served over rice. 

Image and Recipe via: https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Drymaria+cordata