Food Plants International - Plant Fact Sheets

Acalypha wilkesiana

Edible: Leaves, Flowers, Vegetable, Leaves - tea

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

A tropical and subtropical plant. A plant which grows naturally in Vanuatu. It occurs in the Pacific Islands. It prefers light well drained soil. It suits a protected shady position. It is damaged by both drought and frost. It needs a minimum temperature above 10°C. It can grow in arid places. It grows on atolls. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Common Names: Painted copperleaf, Akalifa merah tembaga, Beefsteak Plant, Beaf-tea plant, Daun merah tambaga, Fijian fire plant, Fire Dragon Plant, Hu-ling, Joseph's coat, Hoja de Cobre, Huu-krataai, Làlǐyè, Mexican payasito, Redleaf, Saydan-kya, Tai tuong, Te aronga

Synonyms: 

Acalypha amentacea forma circinata (Müll.Arg.) Fosberg;
Acalypha amentacea subsp. wilkesiana (Müll.Arg.) Fosberg;
Acalypha circinata A.Gray ex Seem. [Invalid];
Acalypha compacta Guilf. ex C. T. White;
Acalypha godseffiana Mast.;
Acalypha godseffiana var. heterophylla L. H. Bailey;
Acalypha hamiltoniana Briant;
Acalypha illustris Pax & K.Hoffm. [Invalid];
Acalypha macafeeana Veitch;
Acalypha macrophylla Veitch [Illegitimate];
Acalypha marginata (Mill.) J. J. Sm. [Illegitimate];
Acalypha musaica auct.;
Acalypha torta Pax & K.Hoffm. [Invalid];
Acalypha tricolor Seem.;
Acalypha triumphans L. Linden & Rodigas;
Acalypha wilkesiana forma appendiculata J. W. Moore;
Acalypha wilkesiana forma circinata Müll.Arg.;
Acalypha wilkesiana forma illustris J. J. Sm.;
Acalypha wilkesiana forma macrophylla J. J. Sm.;
Acalypha wilkesiana var. marginata E. Morren;
Acalypha wilkesiana forma monstrosa J. J. Sm.;
Acalypha wilkesiana forma triumphans (L. Linden & Rodigas) J. J. Sm.;
Ricinocarpus wilkesianus (Müll.Arg.) Kuntze;

Ardisia crenata

Edible : Leaves, Fruit, Vegetable,

An evergreen shrub. It grows 1 m high and spreads 1 m wide. The stems are erect and branching. The leaves are shiny green. They have wavy edges. The leaves are arranged in rings around the stem. The flowers are white or pink. They have a scent. The fruit are bright red berries.

It is a tropical plant. It is best in a rich, moist well-drained soil. It needs a partly shaded position. It is damaged by frost and drought. In China it grows between 100-2,400 m above sea level. Tropical Fruit World. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens. In XTBG Yunnan.

Common names : Coral berry, Comnguoi rang, Hen's eyes, Huomo, Jiangpu-jiangyapami, Kandetmean, Lempeni mata ayam, Lempeni natal, Mata itik, Trong-dua,

Synonyms :

Ardisia crispa (Thunb.) A. DC.

Ardisia humilis

Edible : Leaves, Vegetable,

A small tree. It grows to 3 m high. The branches are 5-7 mm across. The leaf stalk has a canal and is 6-10 mm long. The leaves are sword shape but fattest in the middle. They are 15-18 cm long by 5-7 cm wide. They are leathery. There are about 12 side veins on each side of the midrib. The flower arrangement is like a pyramid at the top of the plant. This is 8-17 cm high. The flowers are leathery. They are pink or purplish red and 5-6 mm across. The fruit are red or purplish black and round. They are 6 mm across.

A tropical plant. It grows in mixed forest and open fields between sea level and 1100 m altitude in S China. It needs rich moist soils It is best in a shaded position. It is damaged by frost or drought. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical gardens hothouse.

Common names : Ardisia, Low shoe-button berry, Ai zi jin niu, Comnguoi thap, Duck's eye, Jet berry, Lempei ata itik, Parok detok, Rumpeni,

Synonyms :

Ardisia hainanensis Mez.;
Ardisia pyrgina Saint Lager;
Ardisia pyrgus Roemer & Schuktes;
Tinus humilis (Vahl) Kuntze;

Artemisia vulgaris

Edible : Plant, Herb, Spice, Leaves,

A shrub which continues to grow year after year. It grows to a height of 1.2 m and spreads to 1.5 m across. The underground root like structure is branched and has a nodular appearance. There are many stems. They are angular with grooves. The stems are red. The leaves are green. The lower leaves have short leaf stalks and teeth like sections. They are downy underneath the leaf. The upper leaves do not have leaf stalks but clasp the stem. The flowers can be greenish yellow or reddish brown. They occur in small oval heads.

A temperate plant. It will grow on most soils. It will grow in poor soils. It will resist drought and frost. It grows on roadsides, slopes, canyons, forest margins, forest steppe, sub-alpine steppe between 100-3800 m altitude in China. It grows along the banks of streams. It suits hardiness zones 3-10.

Common names : Mugwort, Artemisia shoot, Slender artemisia, Arbaaka, Burot, Chinese moxa, Darmong maria, Davanamu, Dayona, Dhordavana, Divlji pelin, Fellon-herb, Felon herb, Jortk'uda, Kietis, Koadchula, Laibakngou, Machipatri, Me-di-dok, Metlika, Mulssuk, Nagadamani, Nagdona, Nagodoyana, Navadni pelin, Ngaai, Ngai cuu, Oshindr, Pelynek cemobyl, Sagebrush, Thit-nan-gaing, Tinisas, Titepati, Yomogi,

Synonyms : 

Artemisia selengensis var. selengensis;

Many
 

Achyranthes aspera

Edible: Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, Vegetable

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

A tropical plant. A native plant of tropical areas. It occurs in waste places at low and medium altitudes in the Philippines. It grows in northern Australia. It prefers moist well drained soils. It can grow in a partly shaded position but is most commonly in full sunshine. It is drought and frost tender. It does best in soils with high organic matter but can grow in sandy areas. It can grow in arid places. It has become common in Papua New Guinea in low altitudes in areas with seasonal climates. It Java it grows up to 300 m above sea levels. In Tanzania it grows up to 3,000 m above sea level and in areas with 700-1,300 mm rainfall.

Common Names: Chaff-flower, Rough chaff tree, Aga, Aghadha, Agharda, Aghedo, Agudha, Akamaro, Amazinycenja, Ankhle, Apamarga, Apamaranga, Apang, Apangshak, Ara songsang, Arpchinjudo, Athian alur, Ato ite oryang, Bantjen, Chesirimiion, Chirchita, Co suot, Datiwan, Daun inget, Jarongan, Jercok, Kalamata, Kasita, Katalati, Kulbek, Kyet-mauk-pyan, Kyet-mauk-sue-pyan, Latjira, Layobe, Lenamo, Landklits, Lautafifi, Mukuluvhali, Naagar, Nairusedi keerai, Naukpo, Nayurivi, Nayuruvi, Ngwirisi ndi kakose, Nta basimane, Nyarang sunsang, Obhat kata, Puthkanda, Rag-ragadi, Sangketan, Sisi vao, Suga-dugodok, Tamatama, Tsipolomanitra, Tu niu xi, Tǔniúxī, Ulti hot, Umdombe, landigasepu, UtbUthareni, Uttarane, Uttaren, Uthrani soppu, Uttreni, Valiyakadaladi

Synonyms: 

Achyranthes canescens R.Br.;
Achyranthes robusta C. H. Wright;
and others

Artocarpus lacucha

Edible : Seeds, Fruit, Flowers, Bark, Leaves, Vegetable,

A large tree which loses its leaves during the year. The tree grows to 10-50 m high. The trunk is short and erect but is can be bent. The crown is rounded and spreading. The bark is reddish-brown and rough and scaly in old trees. The young branches are densely covered with stiff, pale brown hairs. The leaves are alternate. The leaf stalk is 2-3 cm long. The leaves are oblong and 20-30 cm long and 2-16 cm wide. Sometimes the leaves have lobes. They are dark green and smooth above but softly hairy underneath. Male and female flowers occur on the same tree. They are clustered together in the outer surface of rounded heads. These grow at the base of the leaves. The male flower head is yellow. They are 0.8-5 cm long but fall off. The fruit have a fleshy receptacle. The fruit are velvety and yellow when ripe. They are 7-13 cm across. The fruit contains 20-30 seeds. The seeds are oblong.

It is a tropical plant. It suits a warm, humid climate. It grows in Nepal from sea level to 900 m altitude. In China it grows in forests in limestone mountains between 100-700 m altitude in Yunnan. In India it grows up to 1,500 m altitude. It is sensitive to frost, but is hardier than jackfruit. It can grow in arid places.

Common names : Monkey Jack, Lakoocha, A niao niao bei, Arimu, Armu, Badahar, Badhal, Badhar, Bak haad, Barahar, Barar, Barhal, Bartah, Belang, Berhal, Borhar, Borta, Dahua, Daowa, Dehu ja, Deophal, Dephal, Dephul, Deua, Dewa chali, Dewachaam, Dhaun, Dhawa, Dhemphal, Dheu, Etothi, Had, Heirukothong, Ingtat arong, Jram thai gidiba, Kammaregu, Kan-yae, Kathal, Keledang berok, Lakooch, Lakuch, Lirang, Lokhat, Lusuk salia, Ma haat, Maak haad, Mahad, Mai haat, Mai-mak-hat, Mayauklok-ni, Meik-mahot, Myauk-laung, Myauk-lok, Pohon nangka keledang, Pohon nangka parasmanis, Rilang, Sangyen-kung, Taeoo, Tampang ambong, Tampang gelugor, Tampang manis, Tampang nangka, Tampang, Tan-pae, Tat thei, Theitat, Vatehuli, Wotomba,

Synonyms :

Antiaris fretessii Teijsm.;
Artocarpus acuminatissima Merr.;
Artocarpus cumingiana Trecul.;
Artocarpus cumingiana var. stenophylla Diels;
Artocarpus dadah Miq.;
Artocarpus dadah var. pubescens Miq.;
Artocarpus dasyphylla var. flava J. J. Sm.;
Artocarpus ficifolia W. T. Wang;
Artocarpus fretessii Teijsm. & Binn.;
Artocarpus inconstantissima (Miq.) Miq.;
Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb.;
Artocarpus lakoocha var. malayana King;
Artocarpus leytensis Elmer;
Artocarpus mollis Wallich;
Artocarpus ovatus Blanco;
Artocarpus paloensis Elmer;
Artocarpus peltatus Merr.;
Artocarpus refracta Becc.;
Artocarpus reniformis Becc.;
Artocarpus rufescens Miq.;
Artocarpus vrieseanus var. papillosus F. M. Jarret;
Artocarpus vrieseanus var. refractus (Becc.) F. M. Jarret;
Artocarpus tampang Miq.;
Artocarpus yunnanensis Hu;
Ficus inconstantissima Miq.;
Ficus tampang Miq.;
Metrosideros spuria Rumph.;
Prainia rumphiana Becc.;

Acorus calamus

Edible: Roots, Rhizome, Leaves, Stems, Herb, Spice

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Its natural range is the warm temperate regions of Iran and India. They are found throughout the Philippines both cultivated and wild, growing in swamps. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 2600 m altitude. It can tolerate frost but cannot tolerate drought. It normally occurs in ditches, swamps, and on the edges of lakes and streams. It grows in wetland. It grows best in water no deeper than 22 cm. Often the plant grows in dense pure stands. It is mostly in places with a temperature below 20°C. It suits hardiness zones 3-10.

Common Names: Calamus, Sweet flag, Airi, Ajer, Ajeras, Aleras, Ayer, Bach, Baghshtak, Baje gida, Bas, Boch, Bojho, Bos, Changpu, Flagroot, Fortunate bullrush, Huvagoh, Jagier, Jaringao, Jeringau, Kalmos, Kalmus, Khnkegheg, Lepiech, Lin-lay, Lin-ne, Lubigan, Myrtle flag, Pravi kolmež, Puskvorec obecny, Sweet cane, Sweet sedge, Tatarak. Vacha, Vasa, Vasambu, Vavambu, Vayambu, Vekhand, Wan nam

Synonyms: 

Acorus asiaticus Nakai;
Acorus terrestris Spreng.;
and others

Acrostichum aureum

Edible: Shoots, Roots, Fronds, Leaves, Vegetable

A fern with a short to medium creeping rhizome. The rhizome is up to 3 cm thick. It has large fleshy roots. The fronds are erect and up to 4 m long. The leaflets are large, thick and leathery. They are only divided once. They have blunt tips. They often have a yellowish colour. It grows in clumps or spreads out over the ground. Under the uppermost leaves there is often a mass of spores in a brown sugary mass.

A tropical plant. Usually found in open swampy or mangrove situations. It cannot tolerate saltwater. It grows in Australia in the Northern Territory and Queensland. It is eaten in the Solomon Islands. It occurs throughout the tropics. It is very frost tender. It occurs in brackish pools and swamps and creeks near the beach. It can be on cliff-faces by the sea.

Common Names: Golden Mangrove fern, Akohorafanjava, Babasaga, Boresi, Boreti, Caca, Drababasavuga, Hagnaya, Hana meamea, Kalakeok, Kerakas, Khari bhaji, Kolovolo, Leather fern, Maakula hangali, Mayefungi, Marsh fern, Pakis laut, Paku larat, Paku laut, Palatava, Peye, Piai, Prang tuk, Sa'ato, Swamp fern, Vativati, Wihakas,

Synonyms: 

Acrostichum guineense Gaudich.;
Acrostichum inaequale Willdenow;
Chrysodium aureum (L.) Mett.;
Chrysodium inaequale (Willd.) Fee;
Chrysodium vulgare Fee;
 

Acrostichum speciosum

Edible: Root, Rhizome - starch, Fronds, Leaves

A coarse clumpy fern. It grows 1.5 m tall and has a creeping underground stem (rhizome) forming clumps. The stem is 5 cm across and 10 cm high. It is covered with brown scales. The leaves are erect fronds. The leaflets are on either side of the leaf stalk. The stalk of the frond is 50 cm long and 0.3-0.8 cm thick. The fronds are 1.5 m long. The leaflets are 20 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. They are somewhat thick and leathery. They are dull dark green. They taper to a narrow tip. The stalks for these leaflets are 1 cm long. The spores are produced on the upper fertile fronds. These are smaller than the sterile fronds. The spores cover the entire under surface as a dark brown mass. In Australia fertile fronds are produced in June.

A tropical plant. It grows in coastal flats and tidal areas. It is associated with mangroves. It can stand being flooded frequently by saltwater. This is the only fern found growing with mangroves. It occurs in Australia and Asia. It is very frost tender.

Common Names: Mangrove fern, Wikakas fern, Pakis wikakas

Synonyms: 

Acrostichum aureum var. speciosum (Willd.) Domin.;
Acrostichum fraxinifolium R. Br.

Adansonia grandidieri

Edible: Leaves, Seeds, Fruit, Vegetable

A large deciduous tree. It grows 30 m tall. It has a very large pole like trunk. It has only a few, short, stubby branches. It is bare of leaves for most of the year. It develops leaves during times of rain. The leaves have 5 small leaflets which are wavy at the edges. The flowers are small, erect and white. The seeds are large and oily.

It only grows naturally in western Madagascar. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Common Names: Giant boabab, Bao-bap, Baobab malgache, Grandidier's boabab, Renala, Reniala, Renibeala