Sanguisorba minor aka Salad Burnet

Sanguisorba minor is a perennial herb in the rose family. Its common names include salad burnet and garden burnet. Its native range spans Europe, the Mediterranean, and the western Himalaya. It is native to Britain and Ireland. Wild plants grow in grassland, often on chalk or limestone. These sites can have dry soil with few nutrients.

The plant forms a low mound of leaves. Garden plants reach about 0.75–3.3 feet (0.23–1 metre) tall. Sources give widths up to 1.6–2 feet (0.5–0.61 metres). Upright flower stems rise above a rosette of green leaves. Each pinnate leaf has four to twelve leaflet pairs. The rounded leaflets have toothed edges and lack hairs. Crushed leaves smell of cucumber. RHS describes the foliage as deciduous.

Small flowers grow in rounded heads on upright stalks. Sources describe their colour as green with purple, or crimson. Bloom starts in early summer and may last into autumn. Dry fruits follow, with wings or a burr-like surface. They ripen from July to September and stay closed. Plants can spread by seed without help from the gardener. Removing spent flower heads can limit this spread.

Grow salad burnet in full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates chalk, clay, loam, and sand. Sources support a broad soil pH range. RHS rates its cold hardiness as H6. NC State lists USDA zones 4 through 8. Reports on drought tolerance conflict, even within NC State's page. RHS gives dry to moist soil as suitable. Plants reach mature size in one to two years. They suit herb beds, vegetable plots, borders, and pots. RHS also suggests meadow planting and garden edging. Seed and division both provide ways to grow more plants. Pruning is not essential, though cutting back promotes fresh leaves. Sources report few pest or disease problems.

Young leaves and shoots can be eaten raw or cooked. Use them in salads, soups, drinks, or as garnish. Leaves also flavour vinegar, butter, and soft cheeses. Harvest before flowering for a milder taste. Heat and dry weather can make the leaves bitter. PFAF records traditional uses for roots and leaves in herbal remedies. It also describes root systems that help hold soil against erosion. PFAF reports no known hazards. NC State lists the plant as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.