Plant Details

Sanguisorba minor syn, Poterium sanguisorba

Salad burnet

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Sanguisorba minor syn, Poterium sanguisorba.

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Common names

4 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Salad burnet
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Kleine pimpernel
  • Moespimpernel
French
  • Pimprenelle
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Sanguisorba minor syn, Poterium sanguisorba
Taxonomic placement (Kew): Sanguisorba minor Scop. View name reference ↗

Kew treats Poterium sanguisorba L. as a synonym of this species. Catalogue of Life uses a different generic and subspecific treatment. The original salad-burnet record is retained.

Sources [2] [3]
Botanical family: Rosaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Sanguisorba (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Salad burnet
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.60 m
Spread: 0.30 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Tea
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Hedge, Ground cover, Fragrant

Description

Young leaves and shoots of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked. It is best to pick them before the plant flowers. You can add them to salads, use them as a garnish, or include them in soups. Young seedlings of the plant can also be cooked and eaten. Sometimes the leaves can be a bit bitter, especially in hot and dry summers, but generally, they taste quite mild, particularly in winter. Some people find that they have a subtle cucumber flavor. On acidic soil, the leaves can have a pronounced bitter taste, while the same plants on calcareous soil have a milder flavor. Dried leaves can be used to make herbal tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/06
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 854530; name ID 2990700; Sanguisorba L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Sanguisorba minor Scop.
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Name heading and taxonomic status; Kew treats Poterium sanguisorba L. as a synonym of this species. Catalogue of Life uses a different generic and subspecific treatment. The original salad-burnet record is retained.

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Poterium sanguisorba L.
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Taxonomic synonyms or horticultural name section. Kew treats Poterium sanguisorba L. as a synonym of this species. Catalogue of Life uses a different generic and subspecific treatment. The original salad-burnet record is retained.

    Source checked on .