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Herbs and flowers
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Butcher's broom, Ruscus
aculeatus
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Family of liliaceae
This is a common plant of woods situated in the bottom of the valley,
especially the oak woods. Normally it is linked to the chestnut tree and
other essences. Everybody knows its sharpened and dark leaves (to be precise
they are not leaves but flattened trunks called cladode) with the decorative
red fruits.
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Use
The plant is principally used for Christmas to prepare decorative
bunches together with mistletoe. It is very similar to the asparagus
and it has the same diuretic effects, so that it is employed in several
preparations. The young shoots have a slightly bitter flavour (which
is better than the one of asparagus) and they can be boiled in abundant
salted water and dressed with oil, lemon and pepper, or they can be
part of an omelette. |
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Picture and text of Tebaldo Lorini
Translated by Gianna Toni |
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