Food Plants International - Plant Fact Sheets

Allium cepa var. aggregatum

Edible: Leaves, Bulbs, Vegetable, Flowers

These onion like plants produce a cluster of bulbs. They are narrowly oval. It grows to 1.2 m high. The leaves are round and hollow. This is a genuinely perennial form of Allium cepa, the bulb grows deeper in the soil and divides to produce a number of underground bulbs each year in much the same way as shallots. Large bulbs divide to form 5-15 bulbs whilst smaller bulbs grow into one large bulb. They do not produce bulbils in the flower-head.

A temperate plant. They can be grown throughout the country in Papua New Guinea but do best in the cooler higher places. In PNG it is recorded between sea level and 2,800 m above sea level. They need a fertile well drained soil. They are frost resistant. They tolerate a pH in the range 4.5 to 8.3. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.

Common Names: Shallots, Everlasting Onion, Aka wakegi, Alubosa, Bawang merah, Bunching onion, Cebollo corojo, Chhyapi, Chota piaz, Ever-ready onion, Hanh huong, Hom daeng, Huo cong, Khtim kraham, Kon tsung-tau, Kyet-thun-ni, Multiplier onion, Onioni, Potato onion, Rathu-lunu, Sibuyas

Synonyms: 

Allium ascalonicum L.;
Allium cepa var. ascalonicum;
Allium cepa multiplicans Bailey;
Allium cepa var. solaninum Alef.;
See note in Flora of China about name Allium ascalonicum.

Allium fistulosum

Edible: Leaves, Plant, Herb, Flowers, Vegetable, Bulb, Spice

An onion family plant. A bulb plant but the bulb is indistinct. It grows to 60 cm high and 20 cm wide. The roots are side roots and fibrous. They grow in large clumps. The leaves are rounded in cross section and hollow. They grow to 15-30 cm long by 5-20 mm wide. The bulbs are very small and 4-8 cm long but only 5-25 mm across. The plant produces many side buds which develop as offshoots. Flowers grow on a stalk which comes from underground and there are many flowers on stalks around one head. This hollow stalk is 40-80 cm long. The flowers are yellow and they open from the top of the flower head downwards. There can sometimes be bulbils on the flower head.

A temperate plant. It prefers a sunny position and a light well drained soil. It prefers a pH in the range 6.5 to 7.5, but it tolerates a pH in the range 4.9 to 7.5. A hardy plant which produces leaves throughout the winter. They are also tolerant of high temperatures and can grow in the tropics. Plants yield better when grown above 1,000 m in the tropics. In PNG it has been recorded from sea level to 2,800 m above sea level. Temperatures above 25°C give less production. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. In Yunnan.

Common Names: Japanese bunching onion, Spring onion,  Atasuki, Bawang daun, Bawang bakung, Bawang oncang, Bola, Bola di nseki, Buyah, Cebolinha, Ceboule, Chang fa, Chibol, Ch'lakhvi, Ciboule, Cong, Da cong, Daun bawang, Hanh la, Hari piaz, Hom-chin, Hom-ton, Japanese leek, Lunu kolle, Multiplier onion, Ndembi, Negi, Niasibola, Oriental bunching onion, Pa, Quing cong, Scallion, Sibuyas na mura, Stony leek, Tai tsung, Te anian, Ton hom, Ts'ung fa, Welsh onion, Zimska čebula

Synonyms: 

Allium bakeri Hoop. non Regel;
Allium bouddhae O. Debeaux;

Allium sativum

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

An onion family plant. It is an erect herb. It grows one year, then flowers the next. It grows about 40 cm high. This onion family plant has a number of tightly packed bulbs (cloves) wrapped in papery scale leaves. The true leaves of the plant are long, flat and solid. Leaves are 2.5 cm wide. The roots are side roots. The number of cloves per bulb varies from 16-50 depending on variety. Flowers are borne on a long stalk in a head where the flowers are on equal length stalks from one point forming a rounded head.

A temperate plant. It grows in the tropical highlands mostly between 1600 and 2200 m but will grow satisfactorily down to 500 m. In Nepal it grows to 3000 m altitude. There are kinds that will grow in hot coastal tropical places. Best bulb development occurs with temperatures up to 30°C. It is frost resistant. High humidity or high rainfall is not suitable. It is best grown in low rainfall areas with irrigation. Bulb development is favoured with long day lengths. It does best with pH 6-7. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. In Yunnan.

Common Names: Garlic, Ahos, Ahus, Ail, Ajo, Akcha, Arishtha, Bawang bodas, Bawang putih, Bellulli, česen, Chyet-thon-phew, Da suan, Galik, Harsun kelok, Hela lunu, Hom-tiam, Kathiem, Katiam, Krathiam, Kratiem, Kthem, Kyetthun-byu, Lasan, Lashuna, Lasun, Maneul, Ma nl, Nin-niku, Ramuza, Rosun, Sarymsak, Suan, Sudu lunu, Suen tau, Tafornua, Tellagadda, Thom, Thoom bari, Toi, Tongologasy, Tongolonkova, Top-setting wild garlic, Ulli, Vellaipundu, Vellavengayam, Velluli

Synonyms: 

Allium longicuspis Regel;
Allium pekinense Prokhanov;
 

Alocasia cucullata

Edible: Corms, Tubers, Leaves, Roots, Vegetable

A herb. It is a plant with a tuber and it keeps growing from year to year. It can grow for only one year. It grows to 1.5 m high. The stem can be 50 cm long and 5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1 m long. The leaf stalk joins the leaf blade at the edge. The leaf is glossy and oval to heart shaped. It only has short lobes at the base. It is green. The leaf blade is 40 cm long by 28 cm wide. It forms suckers freely. The flowers have a spathe 9-15 cm long.

A tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands in open, wet locations. It is one of the more cold hardy Alocasias. Cairns Botanical Garden. In XTBG Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Common Names: Chinese taro, Alokasia nampu hijau, 'Apea, Bira, Boga kachu, Boga kochu, Hpa-gamon, Jian wei cao, Nang-kwak, Panchamukhi kochu, Rasy, Singjupal, Singju-paan, Sinjupaal, Tha-khashiba hagrani, Wan-nokkhum, Wan-thorahot

Synonyms: Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) Schott;
Alocasia rugosa Schott;
Arum cucullatum Lour.;
Caladium cucullatum (Lour.) Pers.;
Colocasia cucullata Schott,
Colocasia rugosa Kunth;

Fanzhuyuia. Z. Y. Zhu and species
Fanzhuyuia omeiensis Z. Y. Zhu.

Alocasia macrorrhizos

Edible: Rhizome, Root, Leaves, Leaf stalk, Corm, Vegetable

A very large herb. A taro family plant. It has a stout erect trunk up to 4 m tall. This has upright leaves which are arrow shaped. Leaves have round lobes at the bottom. The leaves are leathery and are often wavy around the edge. The secondary veins are not prominent. The leaf blade can be 1-1.2 m long. The leafy structure around the flower is yellow in the upper section. It forms a hood and drops off as the flower opens. The fruit are bright red berries. The corm is large, often curved and above the ground. It often has small cormels at the side. Brown trailing fibres of the leaf bases often hang from the stem. The leaves and petioles contain stinging crystals.

A tropical plant. It is widely distributed in open wetlands and along streams and in some types of humid forest. The plant grows wild from sea level up to 2600 m altitude in the tropics. Giant taro is a tropical plant and will not grow well below 10°C. It requires a well distributed rainfall and does not tolerate drought. Even though it grows along creek banks it cannot tolerate waterlogged soil. It is only used as food in a few coastal areas. Wild forms commonly seen growing are bitter and not used. It does not do well on atolls. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Common Names: Giant taro, Abis, Alu, Ape, 'Apea mamala, Babai, Bada gadri, Biga, Birah negeri, Birah, Bisech, Boafuredhdhe, Chara kanda, Conjevoi, Daun keladi, Desa-ala, Dhopa, Dranu, Elephant Ear, Fale, Fine, Gabi, Habarala, Hai yu, Henchala, Hensoksu, Honggu, Ka, Kadard, Kansalu, Kape, Karkalo, Kebei, Khajarikochai, Kiri ala, Kiri habarala, Kradat daeng, Lai, Maanaka, Mahuya-pein, Man kachu, Man kanda, Man kochu, Manaka, Mana saru, Mana thaso, Mankachu, Mankanda, Mankochu Marambu, Merukankilangu, Ohd, Oht, Onak, Pai, Papao-alaka, Papao-atolong, Papa sisa, Parum sembu, Pein-gyi, Piga, Puna, Qos tsov, Rata-ala, Sankhasaru, Saombia, Sente, Spoon Lily, Ta'amu, Tamu, Te kabe, Thagong, Totoa taco, Via, Via dalo, Via mila, Wod, Wot, Wut

Synonyms: 

Alocasia alba Schott;
Alocasia indica (Lour.) Spach;
Alocasia metallica Schott;
Arum indicum Lour.;
Arum macrorrhizum L.;
Colocasia indica (Lour.) Kunth;
and several others

Alocasia odora

Edible: Corms, Root, Leaves, Stems, Vegetable, Flowers, Leaf stalks

A stout herb. It has spreading roots covered with long fleshy fibres. The stem is straight and thick. It has circular leaf scars along it. The leaves are arrow shaped. The base has two lobes and these are rounded. They are wavy. The leaf stalk is 60-80 cm long. It sheaths and stem at the base. The flowers are in a spadix that is a flattened cylinder shape and it has a scent.

It is a tropical plant. It grows in humus rich moist soil. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Common Names: Fragrant alocasia, Dahi kochu, Dudh kochu, Gandrui, Mon bac ha, Pein-hmwe,

Synonyms: 

Alocasia commutata Schott;
Alocasia tonkinensis Engl.;
Arum odorum (Lindl.) Roxb.;
Caladium odoratissimum K. Koch;
Caladium odoratum Ker Gawl.;
Caladium odorum Lindl.;
Colocasia odora (Lindl.) Brongn.

Alpinia officinarum

Edible: Leaves, Roots, Spice, Rhizome, Vegetable

A herb. The false stem 1-1.5 m tall. The rhizome is elongated. The leaves do not have stalks. The leaf blade in narrow and 20-30 cm long by 1.2-2.5 cm wide. The flower stalk is erect and 6-10 cm long. The flowers are borne singly. They are white with a red veined lip. The fruit is a capsule which is red and round. It is about 1 cm across.

A tropical plant. It grows in S China. In XTBG Yunnan.

Common Names: Lesser galangal, Chinese ginger, Galangale, Gao liang jiang, San bai, Small galangal

Synonyms:

Languas officinarum (Hance) Farw.

Alpinia zerumbet

Edible: Rhizomes, Root, Flowers, Stem pith, Leaves, Fruit, Vegetable

A herb. The false stems are 2-3 m high. The leaf stalk is 1-1.5 cm long. The leaf blade is sword shaped and 30-60 cm long by 5-10 cm wide. They are hairy at the edge. They taper to the tip with a spiral point. The flowers droop. They are 30 cm long. They are enclosed by 2 long sheaths when young. There are 1 or 2 flowers. The capsules are bright red. It is about 2 cm across. It is ribbed. The seeds are angled.

A tropical and subtropical plant. It needs regular moisture and humidity. It needs a fertile humus-rich, well drained soil. It grows as an understory plant with bright light. It grows in S China. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical gardens. It grows in hardiness zones 8-12.

Common Names: Shell ginger, 'awapuhe, Ge-toLight galangal, Honje belang, Light ginger, Luheluhe, Padegaw-gyi, Punnagchampa, Sannin, Shell flower, Yan shan jiang

Synonyms: 

Alpinia speciosa (Wendl.) K. Schum. (1893) not (Blume) D.Dietrich (1839);
Alpinia nutans sensu Baker pro parte;
Alpinia fimbriata Gagnep.;
Alpinia fluviatilis Hayata;
Alpinia penicillata Roscoe;
Alpinia schumanniana Valeton;
Catimbium speciosum (Wendl.) Holttum;
Costus zerumbet Persoon;
Languas schumanniana (Valeton) Sasaki;
Languas speciosa (Wendl.) Small;
Renealmia nutans Andrews;
Renealmia spectabilis Rusby;
Zerumbet speciosum J.C. Wendland

Alstonia scholaris

Edible: Leaves, Bark - spice, Latex, Sap, Fruit

A tall tree. It grows 40 m tall. It has buttresses. The bark is brown and cracked. The leaves are spaced along the branches and are in rings. The leaves are entire and oval. They are dark green and blue-green underneath. The flowers are in the axils of leaves near the ends of branches. The flowers have a sweet scent. The fruit follicles are 30 cm long. The fruit are yellow to green and not fleshy. The seeds are about 5 mm long. They are rounded at both ends.

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in the wet zone. It grows in coastal areas in Papua New Guinea. In southern China it grows between 200-1,000 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan.

Common Names: Native rosella, White wild musk mallow, Ai-hanek, Andaragan, Bintihung, Blackboard tree, Chatim, Chattiwan, Dalipawen, Dirita, Dita, Herina, Kambuu, Katung, Letpan-ga, Lettok, Manakat, Plantan, Pohan pulai papan tulis, Pollay, Po-leh, Pulai lilin, Purbuk-kung, Rite, Ruk aththana, Saptparna, Sattaban, Taung-mayo, Taung meok, Tin pet, White cheesewood, Zej kaus nyawv

Synonyms: 

Echites scholaris L.;
Pala scholaris (L.) Roberty

Alternanthera pungens

Edible: Leaves, Stems, Vegetable

A herb. It can grow as an annual or continue growing from year to year. It lies along the ground. It grows from 1-10 cm high. It can form mats. The flowers are white.

A tropical plant. It grows on a range of soils. It can be near creek banks and roadsides. It can grow in tropical and warm temperate places. It grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Common Names: Khaki weed, Paper thorns, Creeping chaffweed, Aguape miry, Ashpa-quishca, Carrapichinho, Den nhon, E-su, Gandhimul, Kosangui, Lluta lluta, Monyaki-nyoi, Periquito-de-espinho, Poaya, Quiscua yuy, Quishca yuyo, Rau chieu, Yerba del pajarito, Yerba del pollo

Synonyms: 

Alternanthera repens (Linn.) Link;
Alternanthera achyrantha (L.) Sweet;
Achyranthes repens L.;
Celosia echinata Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.;
Illecebrum achyrantha L.;
Paronychia achyrantha (L.) Desf.;
and others