Values in this chart are for 100 grams of the edible portion of the plant. Iceberg lettuce is included for comparison. The source of this information is Usda Agriculture Handbook No. 8, "Composition of Foods" (U.S. Government Printing Office, October 1975).

Plant Protein Calories Iron Vit. A Vit. C Calcium g mg Iu mg mg

Iceberg lettuce 0.9 13 0.4 330 8 20

Endive 1.7 20 1.7 3300 10 81

Purslane 1.7 21 3.5 2500 25 103

Lamb's-quarters 4.2 43 1.2 11600 80 309

Dandelion 2.7 45 3.1 14000 35 187

Parsley 3.6 44 6.2 8500 172 203

Watercress 2.2 19 1.6 4900 119 151

Spinach 3.2 26 3.1 8100 51 91

Asparagus 2.5 26 1.0 900 33 22

From Portia Meares's "Spring Tonics" article in "The Herb Companion."