Wild One Cyprus

foraging food

Hartwort

μηλιάρισσος

kır davulotu

Scientific Name: Tordylium aegyptiacum ⋮
see also Mediterranean Hartwort, Tordylium apulum

other names: Μελίσαντρος, καυκαλίδα

AVAILABLE: MAR-MAY

EDIBLE PARTS:

Description

softly hairy, odd-pinnateleaflets in rows, one at tip leaves, generally 2–4 cm in diameter
The fruit is small and round, resembling tiny apples, green when unripe turning yellow or orange when ripe
The fruit first appears as a disc, the fruits outer casing
As the fruit matures and gets bigger, the disc outer case splits to reveal the spherical fruit

preparation

Pick the fruit when young and tender
The fruit has a sweet and tangy flavour

extra info

There are 5 varieites of Hartwort growing in Cyprus: Tordylium carmeli, Tordylium trachycarpum, Tordylium maximum, Tordylium syriacum and Tordylium apulum

The varieties look very similar and the fruit from all is edible