Puha (Rauriki)

is a green vegetable native to New Zealand.  I grew up thinking of it as a weed and have never tasted it. Traditionally it was a staple green of the Maori and is still popular in Maori cuisine today.  We used to have a large garden at our old house but would always leave these 'weeds' for our neighbour Clarice who would very happily come and pick them for her dinner.  They belong to the same family as the dandelion and are apparently excellent nutritionally and have the same amount of vitamin C as an orange. Next spring I might just try some.  The small yellow flowers are little bigger than a small fingernail. I have noticed a lot in flower recently, but have never before looked closely at the tiny seedheads. They are quite enchanting, like a tiny star.