The Jeweller’s Window Good King Henry

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 8

The Jeweller’s Window Good King Henry

(Specialty written for “The Presa” by ARNOLD WALL)

About 45 years ago I found Good King Henry growing at the end ot the road up Aylmer’s Valley at Akaroa. I recently revisited the spot ■nd found it still there, but less abundant as it was being crowded out by mint. Good King Henry is not just a popular name, it w r as called Chenopodium Bonus Henricus by the great Swedish botanist Linnaeus about 1750.

The plant is a wild spinach widely distributed in Europe ■nd northern Asia probably not indigenous in Britain but introduced from Europe. It has long been a popular foodplant in Britain, and is recorded from many localities in New Zealand as an escape from cultivation. It belongs to the Goose-foot or Fat-hen family and is very good eating though not eaten, as far »s I know, in New Zealand. It is not the only good cheap thing which is neglected or despised in these Fortunate Isles.

Now why “Good King Henry”? This is the question which interests me. I have always supposed this to be an English name but have now learned that it was originally German "Guter Heinrich” Latinised by Linnaeus as “Bonus Henricus.” (I am indebted to a member of the D.S.I-R. for information on this question.) The explanation of this odd name is given by a German scientist as follows: Heinrich means “home ruler” and was given to the plant because it grows near habitations.

Personal names are sometimes given to plants which are very useful or very remarkable as they acquire a sort ot personification and so it was in this case. In England the plant has many names: Mercury or Markerry, Romm Plant, Smiddy Leaves, Shoemaker's Heels, More (Greater) Smearwort: “Smiddy Leaves” apparently because growing near blacksmiths' forges. So no real King Henry comes into the picture after all