Fat hen Facts
Fat hen Facts
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| Interesting Fat hen Facts: |
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| Fat hen is tall plant that can reach 4 to 59 inches (rarely up to 118 inches) in height. |
| Fat hen has dark green leaves that are diamond-shaped with deeply serrated edges on the bottom part of the stem and lanceolate-shaped leaves with smooth edges on the upper parts of the stem. Bottom side of the leaves is covered with silver-white powdery substance. Leaves are alternately arranged on the stem. |
| Flowers of fat hen are also covered with powdery substance. They are small, grayish-green colored and arranged in elongated, loose panicles. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers). |
| Fat hen blooms from July to September. Success of pollination depends on the wind. |
| Seed of fat hen is enclosed inside the hairless pericarp. Fat hen produces two types of seed: small, black-colored seed, hidden inside the thick, rough or smooth coat, and large, brown-colored seed surrounded with thin, smooth coat. Each plant can produce from 10 to more than 160.000 seeds per season. |
| Fat hen propagates via seed. |
| Fat hen is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, B1, B2 and B3, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. |
| Leaves and young shoots of fat hen can be used in human diet. They have sweet flavor and crunchy texture, especially when they are harvested before the blooming season. |
| Leaves of fat hen are often used for the preparation of salads, as a substitute for spinach or as an ingredient of various soups and stews. Seeds of fat hen are also edible. They can be consumed like a grain or ground into flour and used for the preparation of bread. |
| Chickens, pigs, sheep and birds on the farms like to eat fat hen. |
| Recent studies showed that fat hen contains substances with antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. |
| Fat hen can be used in treatment of toothache and intestinal parasites, for cleansing of the urinary tract and to boost immune system. |
| Light-weight pollen of fat hen can induce allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. |
| Based on some archaeological studies, fat hen is an ancient plant that originates from the Iron Age. |
| Fat hen completes its life cycle in one year (annual plant). |
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