Food Plants International - Plant Fact Sheets

Nasturtium officinale

Edible: Leaves, Seeds, Herb, Spice, Vegetable

A cabbage family herb. It is a small leafy plant that grows in water and lasts for several years. It grows 30 cm high and has runners 2.5 m long. It has hollow stems and roots freely from the nodes. It branches freely. The leaves consist of 3 to 7 pairs of small leaflets then a larger leaflet at the end. The flowers are small and white and grow grow in a cluster. Flowers are not always produced and need days with more than 12 hours of sunlight to form. A small narrow curved seed pod about 2 cm long can develop. It grows attached to the banks of streams.

This is a temperate climate crop. It is common in tropical highland creeks especially those flowing off limestone hills. (pH 6.5-7.5) It needs to be in running water. In the tropics it occurs from about 1000 m up to at least 2900 m altitude. It grows in streams, ditches, lakes, swamps, marshes from near sea level to 3700 m altitude in China. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 4,100 m above sea level. It grows in wetlands. It suits plant hardiness zones 6-10. Tasmania Herbarium. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Common Names: Acice, Agriaun, Agriao, Awa, Berro, Berro de agua, Berros, Brunnenhresse, Chu-lba-thpu, Chungol, Ciotole, Credou, Creisoun, Creixens, Crescione acquatico, Cresson de fontaine, Dou ban cai, Gerdeme, Gernounej, Gurnounch, Huwaireh, Ip komp, Kalanso, Kambere, Kapisi vai, Kenchi, Kiji, Kizmase, Komba, Kreson, Kuwmba, Kuzala, Kuzele, Lauridde, Lira, Lut-putiah, Mizu garashi, Ok 'oruro, Ota karesi, Pakimbita, Pa nan, Phak nam, Piriya halim, Qije, Sai yeung ts'oi, Salada air, Salada chai, Salade, Sawade, Sayur paret, Selada ayer, Selada sawah, Shimrayo, Shuicai, Silang-sag, Sim rayo, Sim sag, Su teresi, Talib shah, Talmera, Talmira, Tara mira, Tarmera, Taung-kya-gale, Termera, Tharmere, Tujik, Tusmask, Tuzik, Uotakuresu, Waci, Wakari, Xa lach xong, Xi yang cai, Ye qing cai

Synonyms: 

Arabis nasturtium Clairv.;
Baeumerta nasturtium P. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Schreb.;
Cardamine aquatica (Garsault) Nieuwl.;
Cardamine fontana Lam.;
Cardamine nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Borbas;
Nasturtium nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) H. Karst., nom. inval.;
Nasturtium officinale R. Br.;
Radicula nasturtium Cav., nom. illeg.;
Radicula nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Rendle & Britten;
Rorippa nasturtium Beck, nom. illeg.;
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek;
Rorippa officinale (R. Br.) P. Royen;
Sisymbrium nasturtium Thunb., nom. illeg.;
Sisymbrium nasturtium-aquaticum L.;

Nelumbo nucifera

Edible: Seeds, Root, Tuber, Leaves, Stamens, Rhizomes, Seeds - coffee, Vegetable, Fruit, Flowers, Tea

A herb which grows in water and continues growing for several years. The rootstock is under water and creeping. The leaf stalk grows 1-2 m high. The leaves can be 20-90 cm across. It has large round leaves which stand out of the water. The stalk joins to the centre of the leaf. It has large attractive pink, red or white flowers which stand out of the water on long stalks. Flowers are pink or white and 15 to 25 cm across. The flower stalk can be longer than the leaf stalk. The mature fruit is a spongy cone shaped structure with several seeds about 1 cm across under the holes in the top. These fruit can be 7-15 cm long. The edible rhizome is submerge in mud.

It is a tropical plant but will grow in cooler places. It needs 20-30°C. It needs full sunshine. It can grow in deep water. It does best in fresh water. The pH can range from 5.6-7.5. It grows in wetlands. It is common in some parts of the Philippines such as Laguna de bay. It is also reported from Camarines, Mindoro, Cotabato and Davao. It will probably grow up to about 1000 m altitude. It occurs in the Fly and Sepik River areas in Papua New Guinea. It is cultivated in most of China except the very northern areas. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Common Names: Ambal, Ambuj, Ambuja, Aravinda, Baino, Bhen, Bhishi chya biya, Bhisikandda, Bua-luang, Bua-sai, Bunga padam, Bunga telpok, Chhouk, Chinese lotus, Dhala padma, Dhepra, Erra-tamara, Furong, Hasu, He flower, Hehua, He ye, Indijski lotos, Kalung, Kamal-kakri, Kamal, Kamala, Kankadi, Kanwal, Kokomba, Lian, Lin ngau, Lin, Loto, Lotosblume, Lotus cina, Nadroo, Nelum, Nelumbo, Nelun-ala, Ngau, Padam, Padda, Padda bihar, Padema, Padma, Padon-ma-kya, Padum, Pamposh, Pankaja, Parani baha, Pavan, Pink lotus-lily, Padda phul, Poddo gota, Podum, Purni punp, Renkon, Sacred Lotus lily, Salkub sanga, Salukid ba, Sen, Senthamara, Seroja, Sivapputamarai, Soh-lapudong, Suriyakamal, Tamburu, Tabare beru, Tavare beru, Tavaregadde, Teratai, Thamara, Thamarai, Thambal, Thambou, Thamou, Upal ba, Yavanti, Yeonkkot

Synonyms: Nelumbo caspica Eichw.;
Nelumbo komarovii Grossheim;
Nelumbo nelumbo (L.) Druce, nom. inval.;
Nelumbo nucifera var. macrorhizomata Nakai;
Nelumbo speciosum Willd., nom. illeg.;
Nelumbium speciosum Willd.;
Nymphaea nelumbo L.;
Nelumbium nelumbo (L.) Druce;

Nephrolepis biserrata

Edible: Roots, Fronds, Rhizome, Vegetable, Leaves

A tufted fern with slender runners. The rhizomes have scales. The fronds can be up to 2.5 m long, erect and bright green. They are divided once. It is a coarse woody fern that grows in tangled colonies. These small plants grow from the branched wiry runners. The spore bearing bodies are round and lie in a row between the midrib and leaf edge.

It is a tropical plant. It prefers open or lightly shaded areas often along rocks. It can grow as an epiphyte on the trunks of palms. It is very frost tender. It probably grows up to about 1000 m altitude. It can tolerate some salt. Often it is in wet areas in soil with a high humus content.

Common Names: Asaha, Broad sword fern, Dageang, Dakeang, Julia, Likekele, Pakis pedang raksasa, Paku harupat, Paku kubok, Paku larat, Paku uban, Pau bulat, Saqato, Sulufe, Te keang

Synonyms: 

See Nephrolepis auriculata (L.) Trimen
Nephrolepis acuta Presl.;

Nephrolepis cordifolia

Edible: Roots, Tubers, Fronds, Leaves, Tea

A fern. It can grow in the soil or attached to other plants. It keeps growing from year to year and forms large colonies. It grows about 30-120 cm high. The roots often bear tubers. These can be 1 cm long. The stalk of the fern frond is stiff and brown and often is slightly scaly. It is 10-30 cm long. The fronds are narrow and divided into leaflets along the stalk. The fronds are 30-120 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. The leaflets are many and do not have a leaf stalk. The leaflets are 1-3.5 cm long by 0.4-1 cm wide. There are blunt teeth along the edge. The bases overlap. The spore bodies are kidney shaped. They are close to the leaf edge. It produces fleshy tubers along the runners.

It grows in tropical and subtropical places. In Nepal it grows between 500-2400 m altitude. It will grow in dark places and dry atmosphere. It can tolerate frost. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Common Names: Bagan fern, Boston fern, Feng huang, Hidum uli, Ladder fern, Narrow sword fern, Pakis umbi pedang, Pani amala, Pani saro, Qiu jue, Rasmada, Shusni shak, Sword fern, Ta-wai

Synonyms: 

Polypodium cordifolium L.;
Aspidium cordifolium (L.)Sw.;
Aspidium tuberosum Bory ex Willd.;
Nephrolepis tuberosa (Bory ex Willd.)C. Presl.;
and others

Nephrolepis hirsutula

Edible: Shoots

A coarse fern with creeping rootstocks. It keeps growing from year to year and forms dense colonies. The stem is erect producing a tuft of fronds. The stalks are 10-40 cm long and pale brown. The fronds are narrow with leaflets. The fronds are 0.3 to 1.2 m long and 8 to 15 cm wide. They are erect or arch over. The leaflets are 5-10 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The base has a narrow, triangle shaped lobe. There are rounded teeth along the edge. The plant grows both on the ground and on other plants. It is smaller than Nephrolepis biserrata. The fertile leaflets are more narrow than the sterile ones. The spore bodies or sori are near the edge of the leaf.

A tropical plant. Widely distributed in low and medium altitudes in the Philippines. Common in Asia and the Pacific. It is normally in lowland areas near rainforest. It is very frost tender.

Common Names: Alolokdo, Ammokadede, Handifangivah, Handifilaa, Julia, Keesfilaa, Kohuku, Lau maile kimoa, Pakis kincha, Pakis pedang kasar, Paku andam, Paku jeler, Paku sepat, Saqato, Scaly swordfern, Te keang

Synonyms: Probably now Nephrolepis multiflora
Polypodium hirsutulum Forst.f.;
Nephrolepis exaltata var. hirsutula (Forst.f.) Bak.;

Neptunia oleracea

Edible: Leaves, Pods, Leaf stalk, Stem, Vegetable

A plant which grows in water. It has stalks which lie along the ground and also ones which stick upwards. The stems are up to 1.5 m long. The floating parts have spongy white balls around each internode. These only develop when plants grow in water. From each internode roots extend downwards and leaves extend upwards. The leaves are 3.5-8 cm long with 2-3 pairs of leaflet stalks. Along these are 8-18 pairs of leaflets. These are 4-10 mm long by 1.2-3 mm wide. They are dark green. The flowers are yellow and in round heads. They are 1.5 cm long. The flower stalk is 12-30 cm long. The fruit is a pod. It is oblong and flat. It is 2 cm long by 1 cm wide. There are 4-8 seeds. These are 4-5 mm long by 2.5-3.5 mm wide.

It is a tropical plant. It floats in ditches and ponds. It grows in wetlands.

Common Names: Akar keman hantu, Bong sung, Caruru de agua, Dumjong, Esing ekaithabi, Ekaithabi, Ikaithabi, Ikathepi, Ishing Ikaithibi, Kangkong puteri, Kanhchhaet, Keman ayer, Keman gajah, Kemon, Koman, Komen, Lajalu, Lilinji, Malu-malu, Neeru thalavapu, Nerrendim, Nguc, Nidrayam, Niru talvapu, Nittitoddavaddi, Pak kachet, Pak krchednaam, Panilajkuli, Pani-najak, Panilajak, Panilajuk, Phak kased naam, Phak krachet, Rau nhut, Sadai, Sundaikkirai, Sunday keera, Tusoyo

Synonms: 

Desmanthus natans Willd.;
Mimosa prostrata Lam.;
Neptunia prostrata (Lam.) Baill.;
and others

Ocimum basilicum

Edible: Leaves, Seeds, Flowers, Herb, Spice, Vegetable

An erect branched woody shrub. The branches are without hairs and smooth. The leaves are without hair and oblong with a more narrow tip and blunt base. The base of the stems is tinged red. The leaf stalk is 1.5 cm long. The leaf blade is 2.5-5 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. The flowers are somewhat purplish with very short stalks. The small nuts are oval and slightly flattened. They are smooth. Plants vary a lot and several varieties have been selected. They can have licorice, cinnamon or lemon flavours and vary in size.

A tropical plant. Found at low and medium altitudes throughout the Islands of the Philippines. It suits both the lowlands and the highlands in the tropics. It cannot stand frost. It suits warm and hot climates. It needs some shade in tropical areas. It needs protection from wind. It needs rich moist well drained soil. Soil should be at 25°-30°C for seed to germinate. It grows in savannah woodland. It can grow in arid places. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Common Names: Aapar, Akohoun, Albahaca, Alfavaca, Baabareephool, Babariphool, Babbari, Babui tulsi, Baburi, Bahanda, Bai horapa, Bajiru, Balanoi, Basilico, Basilikum, Bhabri, Bhutulasi, Chi nieng vong, Dag kekigi, Damaro, Daye doye, Dhala tulasi, Dizulu, Feslegen, Funom, Furrunj-mushk, Gong guo, Gulal tulsi, Horapha, Hung que, Jun gai, Kali tulsi, Kama kasturi, Kapur kanti, Karpura tulasi, Kemangi, Koupanouwokou, Luo le, Manglak luk, Manjericao, Marua, Marva, Mayangba, Mili, Munjariki, Naazposh, Nasabo, Navadna bazilika, Nhambairam-queo, Nhambeira, Niazbo, Niyazbo, Panr, Pimpinela, Pin-sein, Pucre, Rau que, Rehani, Reyhan, Rudrajada, Sabza, Sajjagida, Selaseh puteh, Selasi, Selasih, Sisse-djambo, Solasih, Sucora, Surasa, Te marou, Thai basil, Tilshi, Tirnirupachai, Vaipar, Varvara, Vepudupachha, Yabani kekik, Yanchiki panka, Yi ge sa lan, Yungne, Ziyar-aphyu

Synonyms: 

Ocimum album L.;
Ocimum americanum Jascq.;
Ocimum anisatum Benth.;
Ocimum barrelieri Roth.;
Ocimum bullatum Lam.;
Ocimum caryophyllatum Roxb.;
Ocimum chevalieri Briq.;
Ocimum ciliare B. Heyne ex Hook. f.;
Ocimum ciliatum Hornem.;
Ocimum citriodorum Blanco;
Ocimum cochleatum Desf.;
Ocimum dentatum Moench.;
Ocimum dichotomum Hochst. ex Benth.;
Ocimum graveolens R.Br.;
Ocimum hispidum Lamk.;
Ocimum integerrimum Willd.;
Ocimum laxum Vah. ex Benth.;
Ocimum majus Garseult;
Ocimum medium Mill.;
Ocimum menthaefolium Benth.;
Ocimum minus Garsault;
Ocimum nigrum Thouars ex Benth.;
Ocimum odorum Salisb.;
Ocimum petitianum Rich.;
Ocimum pilosum Willd.;
Ocimum scabrum Wight ex Hook. f.;
Ocimum thyrsiflorum L.;
Ocimum urticifolium Benth.;
Plectranthus barrelieri Spreng.;

Ocimum tenuiflorum

Edible: Leaves for tea, Herb, Seeds, Spice, Flowers

A small herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows to 70-100 cm high. It has a sprawling suckering habit. There are many branches and they are soft and pithy. It is branched. The base is woody. The leaf stalk is 1-2.5 cm long. The leaf blade is oblong and 2.5-5.5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. It is hairy. The edges can be wavy or have teeth. The flowers are very small and white. They occur among calyxes along an erect stalk at the ends of the plant. The nutlets are brown and oval. They are about 1 mm long by 0.7 mm wide.

It is a warm temperate plant. It needs a sunny sheltered position. Soil should be kept moist. In Asia it grows up to 600 m altitude. In China it grows in dry sandy areas. It can grow in arid places. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.

Common Names: Ajaka, Aring, Baranda, Basilic des moines, Basilic sacre, Bidai, Brinda, Bryanda, Fusthula, Gaggera, Hsiang tsai, Kadiring, Kala-pi-sein, Kala tulsi, Kalitulshin, Kamangi, Kaphrao, Katriin, Kom ko dong, Krishna tulasi, Lamar, Loko-loko, Maeng-luk, Manjari, M'reas prov, Mreah preu, Mreahs prow, Nalla tulasi, Parnasa, Patrapuspha, Phak ka phao, Pin-sein-net, Ruku fuik, Ruku-ruku, Sacred balm, Saph'au, Sheng luo le, Sulasi, Suvasa tulasi, Tarp hao, Te marou, Thai basil, Trittavu, Tulasa, Tulasi chajadha, Tulsi, Tunrusi, Warung

Synonyms: 

Lumnitzera tenuiflora (L.) Spreng.;
Ocimum anisodorum F. Muell.;
Ocimum brachiatum Hassk.;
Ocimum caryophyllinum F. Muell.;
Ocimum flexuosum Blanco;
Ocimum hirsutum Benth.;
Ocimum inodorum Burm. f.;
Ocimum monachorum L.;
Ocimum sanctum L;
Ocimum sanctum L. var. angustifolium Benth.;
Ocimum sanctum L. var. cubensis Gomes;
Ocimum scutellarioides Willd. ex Benth.;
Ocimum subserratum B. Heyne ex Hook. f.;
Ocimum tenuiflorum L. f. villicaulis Domin;
Ocimum tenuiflorum L. var. anisodorum (F. Muell.) Domin.;
Ocimum tomentosum Lam.;
Ocimum villosum Roxb.;
Moschosma tenuiflorum (L.) Heyne.;
Geniosporum tenuiflorum (L.) Merr.;
Plectranthus monachorum (L.) Spreng.;

Oenanthe javanica

Edible: Leaves, Seeds, Spice, Vegetable, Roots

A herb. This plant is a hollow stemmed creeping green leafy vegetable. The stem is often up to 100 cm long and normally lies along the ground and turns up near the tip. The leaves are finely divided like carrot tops but the size, shape and colour of the leaves can vary quite a bit, even on the one plant. The leaves often have leaf sheaths which wrap around the stem. The flowers occur at the ends of the branches and are a group of small white flowers. Several kinds occur with different colours and leaf sizes. It mostly grows near water and will float on water.

A tropical plant. It mostly occurs between 700 and 2800 m altitude in the tropics. But it also grows down to the coast where it is becoming more popular. It grows in wetlands. It also grows in China, Indonesia and other Asian countries. In Northeastern India it grows between 1,900-3,000 m above sea level. It grows best between 15° to 25°C. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. Bontoc. At MARDI. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Common Names: Aguhama ao, 'ap'apun, Andum, Babon, Bacharongi, Bambung, Barn, Beizhe, Can com, Can nuoc, Can ong, Chin tsai, Chu kuei, Cogur nogugoa, Dini, Ekhrou, Ependung, Gai weng, Iyb-taziy, Kebunamul, Komprek, Minari, Nakuri, Oriental celery, O shuo wu, Ouge, Pa ne, Paa-a-daw, Pakcheelom, Pak chi lawm, Pak chinam, Palailai, Pampung, Pan tarori, Pan-tusari, Pangpung, Phak an, Phak chee lom, Phak shi naam, Phak si sang, Phouv kangkep, Piopo, Rau can, Rau can nuoc, Saya, Seladren, Selom, Seri, Shan qin cai, Shelum, Shui Qin, Shuiqincai, Sui kan, Szhing-hru, Tespong, Thrai-vu, Wo guo wo luo, Za-lae, Zeemtsi, Zen axi, Zha suo

Synonyms: 

Oenanthe stolonifera Wall.;
Oenanthe benghalensis Benth. & Hook.f.;
Oenanthe linearis Wall. ex DC.;
Oenanthe stolonifera Wall. ex DC.;
Oenanthe japonica Miquel;
Sium javanicum Blume;
and others

Oroxylum indicum

Edible: Seeds, Leaves, Fruit, Pod, Flowers, Stem

A small non hairy slightly branched tree. It grows 5-20 m high. The trunk is straight and rough. It loses its leaves during the year. The bark is soft light brown. The leaves are opposite and 3 to 4 series of leaflets. The leaves are large and 1-2 m long. There are many leaflets and they are pointed at the tip. They are 6-12 cm long by 3-8 cm wide. There are many flowers. These have an unpleasant smell. They occur in large erect clusters. The fused flower petal stalk is dark purple and bell-shaped. The stalk is 50 cm long. The fruit is a long pod or seed case. It is 60 cm long by 4 cm wide. It is slightly curved and has many seeds. The seeds include very thin wings up to 6 cm wide.

A tropical plant. It is native from India to Malaysia. It grows near the edges of forests. It grows up to 900 m altitude. They are common and widely distributed from northern Luzon to Basilan in the Philippines in thickets and secondary forest at low and medium altitudes. It grows throughout India in deciduous forest. In Yunnan, China it grows up to 1400 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Common Names: Aaratfari, Achi, Aralu, Archang-kawm, Arlu, Bahlawng, Bahlong, Bai lin faa, Bakalong, Bak lin faa, Baklawng, Baklong chi, Balilang-uak, Beka, Be thuyen, Bhatghila, Binkuli, Bolai kayu, Boli, Bonglai kayu, Boongli, Broken bones tree, Bu gu bu lie, Bunepale, Byili pili, Con ca, Dao din, Dingari, Dingdinga, Dundilum, Gimuarai, Golden club, Guonunga, Guonungai, Ing ka, Jamlao, Kalong, Kapung-kapung, Karokandai, Kayu lanang, Kharoi, Kok linmai, K'noc, Kotodu, Kulai, Kyaung-sha, Lin deng a, Linfa, Linmai, Lin maiz, Mai-maklin-sang, Mai-ma-leinka, Makoi, Mengkulai, Merlai, Merulai, Midnight horror, Moongli, Mulin, Murai, Napakban, Nasona, Nopak ban, Nuc nac, Ouga, Paksam-rip, Palagapaiyani, Pampini, Parang nyabor, Parang pamol, Peiarlanthei, Peka, Pekaa, Phak lin faa, Phalga, Phapni, Pharri, Pheh-ka, Pheka, Phonphonia, Phual-changkok, Pinkapinkahan, Pongporang, Pugu-rip, Salsali, Saona, Shamba, Shyonaka, So do thuyen, Sona, Sonepatta, Sonpatti, Surimala, Sword fruit tree, Takha rwng, Tantia, Tarlu, Tatelo, Tatmorang, Tatola, Tattu, Tentu, Tetu, Tigdu, Toguna, Toguna, Totala, Totla, Totola, Tonok, Tree of Damocles, Tsampaka, Tutumba, Ullu, Yod lin faa

Synonyms: 

Arthrophyllum ceylanicum Miq.;
Arthrophyllum reticulatum Blume ex Miq.;
Bignonia indica L.;
Bignonia lugubris Salisb.;
Bignonia pentandra Lour.;
Bignonia quadripinnata Blanco;
Bignonia tripinnata Noronha;
Bignonia tuberculata Roxb. ex DC.;
Calosanthes indica (L.) Blume;
Hippoxylon indica (L.) Raf.;
Oroxylum flavum Rehder;
Spathodea indica (L.) Pers.;