Food Plants International - Plant Fact Sheets

Raphanus sativus var longipinnatus

Edible: Roots, Leaves, Vegetable

A cabbage family plant like a large radish. It has a large fleshy root and deeply divided leaves. The taproot is long and white. It takes one or two years to complete its life cycle. The stems can be 20-100 cm high. The leaves near the base are long. They are divided and have coarse teeth. The leaves up the stem are simple and narrow. The flowers develop at the top. They are usually white with purple veins. The fruit are pods about 3-8 cm long and 1.25 cm across. They have a long tapering beak. There are 6-12 round seeds. These can be yellow or brown.

A temperate plant. It is more common in lowland areas in the tropics. It needs a rich loose fertile soil. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Common Names: Chinese radish, Daikon, Oriental radish, Cu cai trang, Labanos, Lao bo, Lo bok, Lobak, Loh-bak, Lo paak, Moo, Mooli, Muli, Mure, Phakkat-hua, Rabu

Synonyms: 

Probably now Raphanus sativus Daikon group;

Amaranthus retroflexus

Edible: Leaves, Seeds

An annual herb which grows to 60-90 cm high. It has furry stems. The root is usually rosy red. The leaves and stems are often quite red in colour. The leaves are oval or sword shaped. The seed spikes are green and bristly. These can be at the top of the plant or in the axils of leaves.

A temperate and Mediterranean plant. It grows in waste land and amongst crops in most temperate regions of the world. It will grow in the tropics. It can grow in arid places. It grows in Sichuan.

Common Names: Red-root Amaranth, Pigweed, Agghijtone, Anamalitalita, Anatarika, Arbai, Bozoglan, Den tram, Fan zhi xian, Havakatar, Horoz ibigi, Kirmizi koklu tilki kuyrugu, Kizilbacak, Kizilot, Koksor, Krasni koren, Krvavordeči ščir, Laskavec ohnuty, Legendur, Lippia, Llaboda, Obiknoven shtir, Pasa pancan, Phak khom, Reverse branch amaranth, Sa die, Selkok, Sermask, Silqvas, Sipirgeyi sor, Sirken, Stir, Tar, Tar gor, Xian cai

Synonyms: 

Amaranthus delilei Loret;

Euryale ferox

Edible Seeds, Roots, Rhizomes, Leaves, Flower buds, Vegetable

A herb. It is a large waterlily. It re-grows each year or can last for a few years. It grows in water. The rhizomes or underground stems are erect and unbranched. The leaves which are under the water are not prickly. The leaf blade is spear head shaped and 4-10 cm long. The base is deeply heat shaped. The leaves which float on the water are prickly. The leaf blade is dark purple underneath but green on top. They are 1.3-2.7 m across. The are somewhat leathery. The flowers are 5 cm across. The flower stalk is stout and densely prickly. The sepals are triangle shaped or oval and 1-1.5 cm long. They are prickly underneath. The petals fade from purple at the outside to white in the centre. The fruit is dark purple and round. It is 5-10 cm across. It is spongy and densely prickly. The seeds are black and there are 8 to many. They are round and 6-10 mm across. The coat is thick and rigid.

It is a subtropical and tropical plant. It grows in lakes and ponds in many provinces of China. It grows in still water. It grows in wetlands. It needs a water temperature of 25°C or higher. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Common names : Fox Nut, Gorgon Nut, Prickly Water-Lily, Chicken-head rice, Chicken-Head, Gorgon plant, Jewar, Jitoumi, Kanta padma, Khee sat, Kuntapadmu, Makana, Makhana, Makhna, Mellunipadmamu, Nikhori, Nikori, Phukhol, Phul-makhana, Qianshi, Shriew-u-pubon, Sin-kya, Spiny waterlily, Thanging, Thangjing, Utpal,

Grewia asiatica

Edible : Fruit

A shrub or small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 4-8 m tall. The bark is rough and grey. The branches are long, slender and drooping. Young branches are covered with hairs. The leaves are alternate. They are simple. The leaves are a broad oval or heart shape. They can be 20 cm long by 16 cm wide. The base is at an angle. They taper to the tip. The edges have coarse teeth. There are some hairs on the top of the leaf and a covering under the leaf. The leaf stalk is 1.5 cm long. The flowering stalks are in the axils of leaves. There are 3-5 stalks with 2-8 flowers clustered in groups. The flowers are yellow. The fruit are small and round and dark blue to almost black when ripe. They are about 2 cm across. They have indistinct lobes. The flesh is soft, fibrous and greenish-white stained a purplish-red. There are 1-2 half round seeds. These are 5 mm across.

A tropical plant. Plants can grow in tropical and subtropical conditions. They can stand temperatures of 44°C as well as light frosts. It can tolerate frost when dormant. They require a deep well drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7. They occur at low altitudes in the Philippines in Cagayan, Bataan and the Ilocos regions. It grows in dry and secondary dense forest. It can grow in humid and arid regions. It flowers and fruits best where there is a distinct wet and dry season. It needs a distinct winter and summer climate regime. It can grow on a range of soils but is sensitive to waterlogging. It grows on limestone soils. It can grow in arid places.

Common names : Baruian, Buttiyudippe, Co-ke-a, Darachi, Dhamin, Falsa, Goyalipala, Jana, Malai, Nallajana, Nhaab, Palisa, Parusha, Phalsa, Phalsi, Pharasakoli, Pharsa, Phutiki, Po tao hai, Pophlea thom, Pophlie, Sanjelhei, Shukri, Tadachi, Tadasala, Ya-khithut, Phalsa

Other Scientific Names

Microcos lateriflora L.;
Grewia hainesiana Hole;
Grewia paniculata Roxb.;
Grewia obtecta Wall. [Invalid];
Grewia subinaequalis DC.;

Tithonia diversifolia

An annual herb. It grows 1-3 m tall. The stems are stout and rough. The leaves are alternate and oval. They have teeth around the edge. The lowest leaves can be heart shaped. The leaves are 10-25 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are hairy. The flower is large and occurs singly. It can be 20 cm across. It is yellow. The fruit is 4 angled and 1 cm long by 4 mm wide.  It is a tropical plant. It grows between 550-1,950 m above sea level. In the Philippines it occurs along roadsides at higher elevations. In Yunnan

Common names : Wild sunflower, Giant Mexican Sunflower, Japanese sunflower, Kade putali phul, Kembang bulan, Marigold shrub, Malulu, Malulua, Matalaa, Negya-ni, Tree marigold,

Synonyms :

Helianthus quinquelobus Sesse & Moc.;
Mirasolia diversifolia Hemsl.;
Tithonia diversifolia subsp. diversifolia;
Urbanisol tagetiflora var. glabriuscula S. F. Blake;
and others

Glycosmis pentaphylla

Edible portion : fruit, leaves

A spineless shrub or tree. It grows 2-6 m tall and spreads 1-3 m wide. The young shoots are bright green. The leaves are 10-18 cm long. The leaves are compound with 1 to 5 leaflets. The leaflets are 6-12 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The edges are entire and they are arranged alternately. Leaflets taper to the tip. The flowers are small in short narrow irregular flower arrangements in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 0.6 cm wide and white. They have a scent. The fruit is round and fleshy and is a 1 to 3 seeded berry. The fruit is 0.8-1 cm wide. The fruit are edible.

Distribution : It is a tropical plant. Plants need a shady or protected position. They need a well drained soil. They occur in the Philippines from Palawan and also in Mindanao in secondary forests at low and medium altitudes. In China it grows between 600-1,200 m above sea level. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. In Yunnan

Common names : Orangeberry, Pink Lime, Anam, Arai bwlai, As-sera, Ash-sheora, Ashshoura, Ashvashakota, Ban-nimbu, Brem beri, Chauladhua, Chowaldua, Datmajani, Dieng-soh-sning, Ginberry, Girgitti, Golugu, Gongipadu, Gurodagida, Hengena-poka, Hengnapoka, Jamaica mandarin orange, Kirmira, Kula pannai, Kuttipanal, Linauin, Maik-talon, Manikyan, Matkhila, Mauk, Melaekulukki, Naranjita de cristal, Obok, Panal, Panam palam, Panchi, Panni-chedi, Pathalagarudi, Phlaing, Phleang, Potail, Rum beri, Taw-shauk, Vananimbuka,

Synonyms:

Limonia pentaphylla Retz.;
Glycosmis arborea (Roxb.) A. DC.;

Campomanesia lineatifolia

Edible portion : fruit

A small tree. It grows up to 8-10 m high. The trunk is 25 cm across. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are oval with irregular borders. They are 20 cm long by 10 cm wide. The fruit are yellow skinned and like a common guava. They are 7 cm long. They have a sweet, juicy flesh and strong aroma. There are about 10 flat, round seeds.

Distribution : A tropical plant. It does best in warm, humid tropical zones. The yearly average temperature range is 22-30°C. The rainfall is 1,500 mm per year. It grows naturally in the Amazon in Brazil. It grows up to 1,500 m above sea level.

Common names : Perfume guava, Arani ma'nya, Champa, Guabiroba, Guaviroba, Guayaba de leche, Guayaba de mono, Guayaba de palo, Guayabillo, Guayabo de leche, Hueso, Masika ma'nya, Palillo,

Synonyms :

Campomanesia cornifolia H.B.K.;
Campomanesia rivularis (DC.) Nied.;
Psidium lineatifolium (Ruiz. & Pav.) Pers.;
Psidium rivulare DC.;
 

Detarium senegalense

Edible Portions : Seeds, Fruit, Kernels, Nuts, Leaves, Caution, Vegetable,

A small tree. It grows to 5-7 m high in savannah areas. It can be 36 m high. It has a short trunk and a spreading crown. The bark is grey and rough. It flakes off in angular sections. The bark is hard to cut. The leaves are made up of 5-12 leaflets along a stalk. The leaves are 6-10 cm long and 2.5-5 cm wide. They are rounded at the base. The leaves are pale green and leathery. The leaflet stalk is stout and 3-5 mm long. The flowers are creamy white. They occur in clusters. Individual flowers are 10 mm across. The fruit are round or oval and 4 cm across. They contain one seed. The flesh is edible. The flesh is green and a fibrous network attaches to the hard shell of the seed. The kernel of the seed is a deep purple brown.

Distribution : A tropical plant. It grows in tropical Africa. It grows in savannah woodland. It occurs where the rainfall is 900-1600 mm per year. It also grows near beaches and coastal sand dunes.

Common names : Tallow tree, Dattock, Bobode, Borre, Boto, Bumbuar, Bungungut, Cudoce, Detah, Dita, Ditakh, Ditax, Dupwi, Gatabo, Kita, Mabodo, Mambode, Mumasoko, Ntamankunda, Ogbogbo, Po-pondogo, Querenduta, Saroco, Tallo,

Synonym: Detarium heudelotianum Baill.;

Berchemia zeyheri

Edible portion : Fruit

A bushy tree. It can grow up to 12 m tall. The trunk can be 36 cm across. The crown is round and leafy. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are 2.5-4 cm long. They are bright green when young and grey-green when mature. The flowers are small and pale green. They can occur singly or in small groups on long slender stalks in the axils of leaves. The fruit are smooth. They are oval and 0.6-1.3 cm long. They are widest at the base and pointed. They are green but turn yellow or red when mature. There is a thin layer of flesh around a 2 seeded kernel. They are edible.

Distribution : A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows on stony hillsides. It grows at medium and low altitudes in South Africa. It is drought resistant. It can only tolerate light frosts. It can grow in arid places.

Common names : Pink ivory, Red ivory, Miumbeza, Mkwalo, Moneyi, Moonay, Muhukuma, Mulatchine, Munhei, Muniedombo, Munieniane, Munikani, Munikara, M'naga, Munyii, Musukachuma, Muvhunambeza, Nkunzi, Pau-rosa, Rooi-ivoor, Sibeta, Sineyi, Tineyi, Umgologoti, Umncaga, Umneyi, Umnyiyi,

Synonyms:

Rhamnus zeyheri Sond.;
Phyllogeiton zeyheri (Sond.) Suesseng

Ilex vomitoria

Edible portion : Leaves, Leaves - tea, Caution,

A holly. It is a woody evergreen shrub. It grows 2-3 m high. The bark is grey. The leaves are shiny dark green above and paler underneath. They are 2-3 cm long by 6-12 mm wide. The leaves have a blunt tip and a rounded base. There are finely wavy teeth along the edge. The flowers are 5 mm wide. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The fruit are orange yellow berries.

Distribution : It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Common names : Black Drink Plant, Cassine, Yaupon, Cassena, Christmas tree bush, Carolina tea, 

Synonym :  Ilex cassine Walt. non Linn.;