Navelwort, also known as Pennywort, Dollar Weed, Corn Leaves, Wall Pennyleaf, Wall Pennyroyal or Penny-Pies, is a succulent plant that grows on rocky walls in Cornwall. It is a member of the Crassulaceae family and takes its Latin name from its round leaves with a slight dimple where the stem joins near the middle.

Growth Process

Navelworts growth process begins at the end of winter, when all the leaves emerge and grow, and at the end of spring grows in the middle of each plant a round reddish stem, from where dozens of tiny flowers hang, forming an inflorescence with the appearance of a spike.

Habitat

Navelwort is a plant that can be found growing between the cracks of walls, in damp rocky hedgerows and banks in the South West of England. It prefers rocky habitats, stone and mud walls, and is also often found growing at the bottom of old trees.

Parts Used

The succulent leaves, seeds, and stems of navelwort can be used as food and medicine. The leaves make a juicy addition to salads or as a sandwich filling with chives or sorrel. They have a mild flavor when picked in winter or early spring and can be eaten raw. The leaves, seeds, and stems can also be candied.

Traditional Uses

Traditionally, navelwort was used as a remedy for inflammations, cuts, chilblains, skin infections, and for stones in the body such as kidney stones. The plants sap has also been used to relieve bee stings.

Medicinal Properties

Navelwort has been used in folk medicine to treat various ailments. The plants sap has been used to draw out boils and thorns, and to cure warts and chilblains. It has also been used to relieve bee stings.

Conclusion

Navelwort is a unique and versatile plant that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and as a food source. Its succulent leaves and stems can be used in salads, as a sandwich filling, or candied, while its sap has been used to treat various ailments.