Légumes à feuilles

Les légumes à feuilles constituent de bonnes sources de fibres alimentaires, de vitamines (complexes A, C et B) et de minéraux (notamment le calcium, le fer, le magnésium et le phosphore). Les feuilles vert foncé sont généralement plus nutritives que les feuilles vert clair ou jaunes. Certains légumes à feuilles contiennent des substances anti-nutritives telles que l’acide oxalique, les nitrates, les glycosides de l’acide cyanhydrique et des alcaloïdes et doivent être bouillies pour être éliminées ou réduites. Beaucoup sont pérennes et produisent de la nourriture avec un investissement minimal en main-d'œuvre.

  1. Amarante Amaranthus tricolor, A. viridis

    amarante, amarante-feuille

    Les amarantes-feuille sont abondamment cultivées dans les régions chaudes et humides de l’Afrique, de l’Asie et des Caraïbes. Bien que cette espèce d’amarante ne produise pas de graines à profusion, elle se régénère souvent spontanément et a légèrement tendance à devenir une mauvaise herbe.

  2. Chrysanthème couronné Glebionis coronaria

    chrysanthème couronné, chrysanthème comestible, chrysanthème des jardins

    Le chrysanthème couronné est une herbe annuelle au feuillage abondant qui peut atteindre une taille de 90 à 120cm à la floraison. Ses fleurs ont un centre jaune composé d’un grand nombre de petites fleurs (fleurons) et entouré de pétales jaunes ou mi jaunes/mi blanches.

  3. Les bijoux d'ophar Talinum paniculatum

    les bijoux d’ophar, gros poupier

    Originaire d'Amérique tropicale, cette plante est maintenant présente dans la plupart des régions tropicales. Les bijoux d’Ophar sont un couvre-sol dressé, herbacé, vivace, ou un petit arbuste pouvant atteindre une hauteur de 1 m. Les feuilles sont alternes, simples et succulentes. Les fleurs...

  4. Chinese Kale Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra

    Chinese Kale, also called Kailaan or Chinese Broccoli, has glossyblue-green leaves with crisp and thick stems. This vegetable adapts well to cold and hot climates and is grown all year round in mild climates. After the first cutting of the main stem, the plant will grow many branches for...

  5. Épinard de Malabar Basella alba, Basella rubra

    épinard de malabar, épinard indien, épinard de malabar

    La baselle est une vigne grimpante cultivée comme vivace dans beaucoup de régions des tropiques et comme annuelle dans les régions tempérées chaudes. Ses feuilles vert foncé charnues ainsi que ses tiges rouges ou blanches (selon le cultivar) sont mangées à peine 57jours après son ensemencement.

  6. Chou frise de l'éthiopie Brassica carinata

    chou frise de l'éthiopie, Moutarde d'Éthiopie

    Cette variété de chou frisé est originaire de la plaine d'Afrique de l'Est, en particulier de l’Ethiopie, dès 4000 avant J-C, et il y est encore cultivé principalement comme une culture à graines oléagineuses. Il est précieux car il donne des graines à des températures tropicales plus chaudes que...

  7. Mustard Greens Brassica juncea

    Mustard greens are a cruciferous crop (cabbage family) grown for the leafy greens that have a slightly bitter, peppery or mustardy taste. Mustard’s dark green color makes it a very nutritious leafy vegetable that can be grown year round in many parts of the world.

  8. Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

    Cauliflower is a cruciferous crop (cabbage family) grown for its compact white immature flower head. Cauliflower is generally suited to temperate climates or higher altitudes in the tropics, preferring cool, moist soil and air. The heads are cut and eaten while the buds are still closed. In order...

  9. Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata

    chou cabus

    Cabbage is a hardy, leafy cruciferous vegetable that forms a compact, round head. It is native to southern Europe but can be grown in tropical or semi-tropical areas in cooler highlands where the winters are mild and there is a good supply of moisture. Some varieties in stock at ECHO are fairly...

  10. Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes

    Kohlrabi is a short (45cm), biennial cruciferous crop (cabbage family) that is cultivated as an annual vegetable. The stems of each plant swell at the base to form a 5 - 10 cm in diameter edible, starchy globe. The broad edible leavesspiral in whorls around the globe-like swollen stem and are...

  11. Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica

    brocoli asperge

    Broccoli is a cruciferous crop (cabbage family) grown for the head that is made of a cluster of many, dark green buds formed at the end of an edible stalk. It is a temperate crop that can be grown in the tropics at higher elevations. Broccoli has become a common, favorite vegetable around the...

  12. Collards Brassica oleracea var. viridis

    Collards are a cruciferous crop (cabbage family) grown for the leaves. The wide, smooth, blue-green leaves of collards have a spinach-like flavor and are the highest in nutrients of the dark green, leafy vegetables.

  13. Kale Brassica oleracea var. viridis

    Kale is a cruciferous crop (cabbage family) grown for the leaves. Kale will withstand more heat than other Brassicas and is also tolerant of light frost, which can actually improve flavor. There are many varieties of leaf shape, color and height from a low mat of curled shoots to 2 m high. The...

  14. Pak Choi, Bok Choy Brassica rapa var. chinensis

    Pak Choi is a cruciferous crop (cabbage family) grown for the rosette of flattened white stems topped by green leaves. This nutritious and fast growing green leafy vegetable is popular in Asian stir-fries and in other dishes calling for cooked or fresh greens.

  15. Turnip Brassica rapa var. rapifera

    Turnips are a cruciferous crop (cabbage family) grown for the edible fleshy taproot. The leaves are also a good nutritious green leafy vegetable. There are also varieties that have been developed as a forage crop.

  16. Lagos Spinach/Quailgrass Celosia argentea var. spicata

    célosie, crete de coq

    Lagos Spinach is a member of the Amaranth family and shares many features with members of the genus Amaranthus such as broad edible leaves with high protein content and flowers and seeds produced in dense spikes. Some members of the genus Celosia are well-known ornamentals called "Cockscombs.”...

  17. Chaya Cnidoscolus aconitifolius

    chaya

    La chaya provient du Mexique. Elle est utilisée depuis longtemps par les Mayas de la péninsule du Yucatan. Le terme «chaya» vient de «chay», le nom maya donné à cette plante. La chaya est également présente dans certaines régions du Honduras et du Guatemala. Elle a été introduite dans d’autres...

  18. Jute Corchorus olitorius

    Jute is an erect annual crop used primarily for fiber; however the leaves and shoot tips can be eaten and contain high levels of protein and vitamin C. Jute can be planted at the beginning of the rainy season and will withstand hot, humid months. It can also tolerate some drought conditions and...

  19. L'hibiscus aux canneberges Hibiscus acetosella

    l'hibiscus aux canneberges

    L'hibiscus aux canneberges, ainsi que ses espèces sœurs, la Roselle (H. sabdariffa) et Kenaf (H. cannabinus) sont d'origine africaine. On pense qu'il s'agit d'un hybride d'espèces africaines d'hibiscus sauvage. L’hibiscus aux canneberges est maintenant connu seulement comme une plante cultivée....

  20. Roselle Hibiscus sabdariffa

    oseile de guinee

    Roselle is an annual plant with a tangy-flavored calyx used in drinks, sauces, or eaten fresh. The calyx is the fleshy structure left after the flower has faded. The leaves are edible and eaten raw or cooked. Fresh leaves contain 2-3% protein and traces of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Roselle...

  21. Tropical/Indian Lettuce Lactuca indica

    Tropical lettuce is a fast-growing, self-seedingupright annualthat will reach 2m in height and is very productive. Young leaves can be eaten rawbut can be bitter. Older leaves are usually steamed or boiled and served with vinegar. Tropical lettuce tolerates a variety of climatesbut thrives best...

  22. Katuk Sauropus androgynus

    Katuk is a perennial shrub native to the lowland, rainforest understory of the warm tropics. It is a familiar plant in home gardens in the wetter parts of Southeast Asia. It grows up to 3.5 m unless pruned. Katuk leaves are compound, with each leaf comprised of dark green, oval-shaped leaflets...

  23. New Zealand Spinach Tetragonia tetragonoides

    New Zealand Spinach is a low, sprawlingherbaceous plant grown for the young succulent leaves and stem tips. It isan excellent hot weather leafy green. It reaches30-40 cm in height and 100-125 cm in diameter.

  24. Pois carré Psophocarpus tetragonolobus

    pois carré, haricot ailé

    L’origine du pois carré est incertaine. De nombreux auteurs affirment qu’il provient de la Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée et de régions insulaires indonésiennes où l’on trouve nombre de ses souches génétiques. Le pois carré, également connu sous le nom de haricot ailé, est cultivé intensément en...

  25. African Nightshade Solanum scabrum

    Edible nightshade is an erect short-lived perennial usually grown as an annual for the fresh leaves. The leaves contain protein, iron, vitamin A, and other minerals in much higher levels than European leafy vegetables such as cabbage.

  26. Moringa Moringa stenopetala

    moringa

    Moringa stenopetala est souvent appelé le moringa africain parce qu’il est originaire de l’Éthiopie et du nord du Kenya. Même s’il pousse dans de nombreuses autres régions des tropiques de l’Ancien Monde et du Nouveau Monde, il est moins connu que son proche parent, Moringa oleifera.

  27. Baobab Adansonia digitata

    Adansonia digitatagrows and is native to parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It prefers to grow in drier, well-drained, rocky soils ranging between 0-1000m. For centuries it has been used for food, fodder, shelter, and shade. Trees mature slowly and should be protected from any cold temperatures.The...

  28. Beets Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

    Garden Beets, also called beetroot, are a hardy, cool-season root crop with edible leaves and a fleshy, tap root. The most common beets are deep red throughout but there are varieties that are yellow, white or mixed. The roots are a source of calories and the leaves are a good source of fiber and...

  29. Amarante-Grain Amaranthus cruentus, A. hypochondriacus

    amarante-grain

    La culture des amarantes-grains pour l’alimentation humaine remonte aux anciennes civilisations aztèques du Mexique. Il existe une grande variété d’espèces d'amarante-grain; il pourrait s’avérer nécessaire d’expérimenter avec plusieurs souches disponibles pour en trouver une appropriée pour une...

  30. Lettuce Lactuca sativa

    Lettuce is a fast-growing, semi-perennialherbaceous plant grown for its edible leaves that are usually eaten raw. Lettuce is adapted to cool, moist conditions in temperate areas and above 1,000 m in the tropics.

  31. Moringa Moringa oleifera

    moringa, pois quénique

    The Moringa tree, known also as the Horseradish Tree, is native to northwestern India. Moringa is widely grown, however, in other parts of the old- and new-world tropics, including tropical Asia, many regions of Africa, Indonesia, and South and Central America.

  32. Ornamental Amaranth Amaranthus caudatus

    Ornamental amaranth is a fast-growing annual, up to 2.5 m in height. The stems end in a large, sometimes drooping inflorescence that may be red, purple or green. The leaves may be used as a leafy vegetable. Mainly used as an ornamental, but leaves and seeds are also edible.

  33. Kale Brassica oleracea var. acephala

    Kale is a cruciferous crop (cabbage family) grown for the leaves. Kale will withstand more heat than other Brassicas and is also tolerant of light frost, which can actually improve flavor. There are many varieties of leaf shape, color and height from a low mat of curled shoots to 2 m high. The...

  34. Spider Flower Cleome gynandra

    mouzamde a fleurs blances

    Spider flower (Cleome gynandra) is an erect annual, growing up to 150 cm in height and anchored with a long tap root. Its many branches produce compound leaves (with three to seven leaflets per leaf) and long clusters of white, pink, or purple flowers. The seeds are contained in slender, green...

  35. Baobab Leaves Adansonia digitata L.

    Adansonia digitata, commonly known as the African Baobab, is a highly adaptable and drought-resistant fruit tree found in the arid and semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the sole species of the Adansonia genus in tropical Africa, distinguishing it from the other eight species found in...