Purple Flowers Run Wild in Washington State Fields

HenbitPhoto byBy Kaldari - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8640496

Look around the fields as you drive through Eastern Washington. You're likely to see fields full of purple flowers. These purple flowers grow close to the ground and act as a ground cover, spreading wildly if not checked.

Henbit can also be eaten and has several health benefits.

While most farmers prefer to eradicate wild weeds, some people actually embrace the fact that henbit has spread to their yards and will go out and collect it for salads and stir-fries. They have a slightly sweet and spicy taste, and they go well with other microgreens, and many enjoy them at the dinner table.

Henbit also has many great medicinal properties. From digestive issues to reducing inflammation, you can learn more about these properties here. It can be eaten raw, cooked, or even brewed as tea.

One serious drawback of henbit is that it is full of pollen and nectar. Bees love it, and if you're allergic to bees or have seasonal allergies to pollen, you may be wise to have it removed from your yard and stay far away from it.

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