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Garden Vegetables

Vegetables are plants, or parts of plants, that are used for human consumption. These may be grown for their leaves, stems, roots, flowers, buds, immature seeds, seed pods, or fruits. We have listed “Leafy Vegetables” and “Cucurbits” separately from Garden Vegetables because of their distinctive nutritional qualities. Vegetables are an important source of dietary vitamins and minerals.

  1. 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...

  2. 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...

  3. Maize Zea mays

    Maize is an annualwarm-climate crop in the grass family, thriving in open sunny environments with daytime temperatures of 20-24C. Maize is used fresh, frozen, canned, rolled and roasted for corn flakes, pressed for oil, or processed for ethanol as fuel. Maize is also an important feed source for...

  4. Pigeon Pea Cajanus cajan

    Pigeon pea is a nitrogen-fixing, perennial shrub, growing to 4 m in height, that produces green or dry seed in seasonally dry climates. Pigeon peas are adaptable to many soil types and are used as a dry pea, green vegetable, fodder, fuelwood, green manure or cover crop.

  5. Okra Abelmoschus esculentus

    Okra probably originated in North East Africa growing along rivers and bodies of water at 0 - 1000m elevation. It remains widely grown around the world for its nutritious pods, leaves, and fiber. It prefers hot temperatures with plenty of water. Regular picking of the pods triggers continuous...

  6. Vegetable Amaranth Amaranthus tricolor, A. viridis

    Amaranthus spp. is an annual, erect herb (up to 1 m tall) grown for its edible leaves Leaves grow up to 8 cm in length and are present in an alternate arrangement along the stem. Small flowers are borne on slender spikes within inflorescences up to 12 cm long. Fruit are small, compressed,...

  7. Inca Nut Plukenetia volubilis

    Inca nut is a semi-woody, vining perennial plant in the Euphorbiaceae family native to the high altitude rain forests of the Andes in South America. It is grown for the large seed and seed oil, used in cooking. Raw seeds are inediblebut roasting after shelling makes them palatable. The viscous...

  8. Lagos Spinach/Quailgrass Celosia argentea var. spicata

    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.”...

  9. 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...

  10. Leek Allium ampeloprasum

    Leeks are a close biennial relative of both onion and garlic, but do not form bulbs. Leaves are flat and large, when cooked they are milder in taste than onions, and are mainly used in soups and similar dishes.

  11. Common Bean Phaseolus vulgaris

    Phaseolus vulgaris is a vining (indeterminate) or bush-type (pseudo-determinate) herbaceous annual. Vining types are perennial and reach 2-5 m in length. Bush-types are annuals and reach heights of 20-60 cm. Pubescent leaves are trifoliate, present alternately on the stem, and range from green to...

  12. Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica

    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...

  13. Ethiopian Kale Brassica carinata

    Brassica carinata originated in the East African plain, particularly Ethiopia. The young, tender leaves and stem tips may be eaten raw in salads. Older leaves and stouter stem portions are cooked and eaten as a dark green leafy vegetable. The flowering stalks may also be cooked and eaten....

  14. Cushaw Pumpkin Cucurbita argyrosperma

    Cushaw pumpkins are a herbaceous, vining, winter squash grown for the edible flesh and seeds. Flowers and tender shoots are also edible. The seeds are high in oil and protein and can be eaten roasted or ground up for an ingredient in sauces. The flesh is eaten as a vegetable and can be used in...

  15. Wild Luffa Luffa operculata

    Wild luffa (Luffa operculata) is an annual vining plant of the Cucurbitaceae family that includes gourds, squashes, and cucumbers. Botanists consider the origin of this plant to be from Mexico to northern and eastern parts of Brazil. It has several common names, depending on the region where...

  16. Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata

    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...

  17. Cantaloupe Cucumis melo

    The Cantaloupe is a creeping annual gourd producing round or oval fruits, 10-15cm (4-6”) diameter with a rough, scaly, netted outside skin. Cantaloupe is delicious as a dessert or in a fruit salad.

  18. Watermelon Citrullus lanatus

    Watermelon is a spreading vine producing large, fleshy fruit. Although all parts of the fruit are edible it is mainly grown for the juicy flesh which is typically red but can be yellow or pink. There are both seeded and seedless varieties.

  19. 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...

  20. Sikil squash Cucurbita lundelliana

    Heat tolerant squash from Belize. Sprawling vine that produces green striped, round/teardrop shaped fruit. 52 days to young fruit and 110 days to mature fruit. Young immature fruit can be eaten like summer squash. Also grown for mature edible seeds.

  21. Bitter Gourd Momordica charantia

    Bitter gourd is a vining cucumber relative that has bitter fruit. Grows well in hot and humid conditions. The young green fruit or tender vine tips are consumed as a cooked vegetable or pickled. Fruits are very bitter. The leaves are used to make a tea in some Caribbean countries for treating...

  22. Tahitian Butternut Cucurbita moschata

    This winter squash has been cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas since Pre-Colombian times. Evidence of its use has been found in archeological diggings. It is a very old variety not often available through seed companies.

  23. Italian Edible Gourd/Cucuzzi Lagenaria siceraria

    This Italian edible gourdis a cucurbit vine that climbs and has large long-stalked leaves forming a canopy over the flowers and fruits. The fruit islight greenand smooth-skinned. Fruit shape varies but usually is long and cylindrical,up to 1 m in length and 8 cmin diameter. The fruit is harvested...

  24. African Okra Abelmoschus caillei

    Abelmoschus caillei originated and is now grown mostly in West and Central Africawhere it has become an important vegetable crop. This species of okra is particularly popular with subsistence farmers as it can produce a food crop year round, has a higher market value as it is available in the dry...

  25. Hot Pepper Capsicum annuum

    Hot peppers in the Capsicum annuum species produce edible fruit with thick walls that can be eaten green and immature or later when the color changes to red, yellow, purple, or brown and the pepper is ripe.

  26. Tomato Solanum lycopersicum (syn. Lycopersicon esculentum)

    The tomato is one of the most common garden vegetables worldwide. It is a solanaceous plant that produces fruit of various shapes, sizes and colors. Growth of tomato plants is described as either determinate or indeterminate. Determinate varieties produce compact plants that stop growing when...

  27. Angled Luffa Luffa acutangula

    Luffas are vining annual plants that produce fruits for food and the luffa sponge. The young fruits of Angled Luffa are edible raw or cooked. Although two species produce a fibrous skeleton in the mature fruit, Smooth Luffa (Luffa cylindrica) is the preferred species for the luffa sponge. This...

  28. 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...

  29. Tropical Pumpkin Cucurbita moschata

    The Tropical Pumpkin originated in tropical South or Central America, possibly Peru or Mexico, and is now widely distributed throughout the tropics. Tropicalpumpkins are very well adapted to hot, humid conditions and the ripe fruits can be stored for months or even a year under dry well...

  30. Hot Bush Pepper Capsicum frutescens

    Capsicum frutescens peppers are much more pungent than the C. annuum species and produce fruits that are erect and usually appear just above the foliage. Peppers include tabasco, bird peppers, and other chili peppers. Varieties of this species have also been selected for their ornamental...

  31. Snake Gourd Trichosanthes cucumerina (syn. T. anguina)

    Snake gourd is a vining, annual vegetable crop that produces a wavy cucumber-like fruit that is harvested when young and green (30-75cm long) and cooked like a squash. This crop is well suited to growth in the humid lowland tropics. The delicate vines need a trellis. The mature fruit turns orange...

  32. Edible Podded Peas Pisum sativum var. saccharatum

    Peas are among the oldest cultivated plants. Carbonized seed remains have been identified as being 7,000 to 9,000 years old. The edible pod forms are thought to be of recent development. Edible podded pea plants produce large (up to 4 inches long) tasty pods with immature seeds that may be eaten...

  33. Bunching Onion Allium fistulosum

    Bunching onions are perennial (often grown as an annual), and are similar in taste and smell to their relative the common onion, Allium cepa. Though some cultivars have a slightly-thickened base (pseudostem), bunching onions rarely form bulbs. Thus, they are eaten as a green onion.

  34. Cucumber Cucumis sativus

    Cucumbers probably originated in India and became popular in Greece and Italy. They are now grown worldwide both commercially and in home gardens. The fruit of this vegetable plant is thick, cylindrical, 6-40 cm long, and shiny green. It can be eaten raw in salads, pickled or cooked in stews or...

  35. Cowpea Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata

    Vigna unguiculata is a grain legume that originates in Africa. Attributes such as vine shape (climbing, prostrate, or semi-erect), seed color (shades of white, pink, brown, and black), and seed maturation time (60 to 240 days) vary with variety. Pods appear in V-shaped pairs.It is an important...

  36. 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.

  37. Wax Gourd Benincasa hispida

    Wax gourds are vining plants that produce large, round wax-covered fruits. Originally from Southeast Asia, the species is grown in many lowland tropical environments up to 1,300 m in elevation. The long vines may be trained along trellises or up buildings where they produce fruit. Fruits are...

  38. Summer Squash Cucurbita pepo

    Summer Squashes are distinctive from all other squashes because they are eaten when they are immature. They grow on either vines or bushes with large leaves that are hairy underneath. They have smooth, edible skin, flesh that varies from light to dark green or yellow, and seeds that are soft and...

  39. Tree Tomato Cyphomandra betacea

    Tree tomatoes are small, half-woody, fast growing, solanaceous trees reaching 3 to 5.5 m in height that are native to South American highlands. Tree tomatoes are edible and can be consumed either as a fruit or vegetable. In the tropics, tree tomatoes do best at elevations between 1500 and 2800...

  40. 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.

  41. Garlic Chives Allium tuberosum

    Garlic Chives have mild, flat, tender leaves that taste like onion and garlic. Garlic Chives are a perennial, cool season vegetable, which flowers in the hot summer. They can tolerate high temperature and grow in many soil types.

  42. Eggplant Solanum melongena

    Eggplant is a popular solanaceous garden vegetable grown for its edible fruit. There are many varieties of this strong upright plant. Some produce fruits that are long and thin, some produce round fruits, and others large bell shaped fruit. The varieties range in color from white to purple to...

  43. Onion Allium cepa L

    Onion is a hardy biennial from southern parts of Russia and Iran. It was disseminated by the Indo-European peoples during their numerous migrations. Very ancient forms of Onion are still for sale in Middle Eastern markets.

  44. Habanero Pepper Capsicum chinense

    Capsicum chinense or bonnet peppers are typically very hot including the hottest peppers in the world according to the Scoville scale. These include the habanero, ghost peppers, and bonnet peppers. ECHO also has a unique “Sweet” Habanero that produces peppers that are not hot, although...

  45. Wild Tomato Solanum pimpinellifolium

    The wild tomato (Solanum pimpinellifolium) is a different species than the standard tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), though the two species are cross-compatible, meaning they can cross-pollinate and produce viable offspring. Wild tomatoes produce many hands/bunches of tiny fruiton very large,...

  46. 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...

  47. Caigua Cyclanthera pedata

    Caigua isan Andean fruit that grows on a climbing vine similar to cucumbers. The mature greenfruit is hollow and is deseeded and stuffed for cooking. The immature fruits and young shoots are eaten raw and cooked. Fruit is 6-15cm long. Requires trellising. Relatively cold tolerantbut not freeze...

  48. Egusi Melon Citrullus lanatus

    Egusi melon is a fast-spreading creeping vine. The taxonomy is not clear but the ECHO seed comes from what is probably a variety or sub-species of watermelon. The white, bitter fruits are inedible; instead it is grown for the seeds which contain 50% oil and 30% protein and can be ground into a...

  49. Rhubarb Rheum rhabarbarum

    Rhubarb is a perennial leafy vegetable grown for its tart leaf stalks. Rhubarb is used as a cooked vegetable and in pies and sauces. It is usually thought of as a temperate-climate plant but rhubarb can be grown as an annual in subtropical and tropical climates that have a cool season.

  50. Tomatillo Physalis ixocarpa

    A semi-woody annual related to tomatoes that can attain heights of 1.2-1.5m. Staking plants early on and throughout the life of the crop will help plants bear the weight of the fruit and the fruit will be easier to harvest. Harvest when fruit fills out the husk and husk splits at bottom of fruit....

  51. Sweet Pepper Capsicum annuum

    Capsicum annuum is divided into groups depending on the shape of the fruit; cherry peppers, cone peppers, red cone peppers, sweet bell peppers, and chili and cayenne peppers. These peppers can be pungent (hot) or non-pungent (mild or sweet). Plants are typically grown as an annual in temperate...

  52. Sunflower Helianthus annuus

    Sunflowers are tall showy, usually yellow flowers grown for their seeds. The flower head is composed of the showy perimeter ray flowers and the inner disc florets which produce the seeds. As well as being an ornamental plant that attracts pollinators, sunflower seeds are pressed for oil or used...

  53. 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.

  54. 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...

  55. Lablab Lablab purpureus

    Lablab purpureus is bean capable of growing in a wide range of climatic conditions and soil types,depending upon the variety chosen. It is widely cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics and occurs wild in tropical Africa (including Madagascar) and India. The palatability of lablab...

  56. 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.