Vine-leaved Pelargonium (Pelargonium lobatum) 藤葉天竺葵

Vine-leaved Pelargonium (Pelargonium lobatum) 藤葉天竺葵

Vine-leaved Pelargonium (Pelargonium lobatum) seeds. 藤葉天竺葵的種子.

Vine-leaved Pelargonium (Pelargonium lobatum) seed germination in 3 weeks. 藤葉天竺葵的種子約3週發芽.

Vine-leaved Pelargonium (Pelargonium lobatum) seedling. 藤葉天竺葵的小苗.

Vine-leaved Pelargonium (Pelargonium lobatum) is growing very well! 藤葉天竺葵長得很好!

Tropical perennial/cactus or succulents. Easy to grow.  Best growing in full sun well drained soil.  Plant has thick trunk like base.  The fleshy tubers is said to be edible as vegetable.  White flowers with pink/maroon blooming in fall.  Flowers release fragrance at night.  Dormancy is in summer, should cut down the watering.  Plant is drought tolerant once established.   USDA Zones:10-11.  Mature size: unknown.  Propagate by seeds or division.  Medicinal.

藤葉天竺葵是多年生/多肉.  容易栽種.  最好栽種在全日照排水佳的土壤.   植株有著巨大粗壯的根基與地下根.  有一說是根部可以如根莖類蔬菜來煮食的.  秋開白色帶有粉紅/暗紅色斑紋的單瓣花朵.  花朵僅於夜晚會散發花香.  夏天會休眠應減少供水避免爛根.  植株生長穩定後頗為耐旱.  喜熱不耐寒.  成熟株高/寬幅:尚無資料.  繁殖以種子或分株的方式來進行.  藥用.

Reference links: 參考網站資料連結:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Pelargonium_lobatum            http://pza.sanbi.org/pelargonium-lobatum                   https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/165989/          https://pukubook.jp/detail/Pelargonium_lobatum

Lance Asiabell (Codonopsis lanceolata) 羊乳

Lance Asiabell (Codonopsis lanceolata) 羊乳

Lance Asiabell (Codonopsis lanceolata) seeds. 羊乳的種籽.

Lance Asiabell (Codonopsis lanceolata) seeds start to germinate in a week. 羊乳的種子約1週開始發芽.

Cold hardy perennial climing vine.  Also is know as ‘Bonnet Bellflower’ and deodeok.  Native in East of Asia.  Usually are grown as root vegetable.  Easy to grow.  Best growing in full sun to partial shade location in well drained soil.  Maroon and green bell shaped flowers facing downwards in summer to early fall.  Flowers attract bees and butterflies.  USDA Zones:6-8.  Mature size:4′-10′(H/L) X 1.5′-2′(W).  Propagate by seeds, cuttings or division.  Medicinal.

羊乳又名土黨蔘,為桔梗科黨參屬.  耐寒強健的多年生草本爬藤.  原生於東亞. 通常是種植來做為根莖類蔬菜.  容易栽種.  最好栽種在全日照到半日照處的排水佳土壤.  夏季到秋季開暗紅色與綠色的向下開的鈴狀花. 花徑約3公分.   花頗吸引蜂蝶.  耐寒不太耐熱.  成熟株高/藤長4-10呎,寬幅1.5-2呎.  繁殖以種子,扦插或分株的方式來進行.  藥用.

Reference links: 參考網站資料連結:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codonopsis_lanceolata                              https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%e7%be%8a%e4%b9%b3_(%e6%a4%8d%e7%89%a9)          http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/97933/

Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia)慈姑

Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia) 慈姑

Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia) bulbs are commonly sold in Asian supermarket.慈姑球根亞洲超市都有在賣.

Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia) bulbs turning green when in warm and moist condition. 慈姑球根在保濕保溫下轉綠了.

 

Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia) bulb is forming roots. Where the roots grow is always higher up not the bottom of the bulb as other plants. 慈姑球根發根了,它的根長在球根上面而非像其他植物一樣發根在球的底部.

 

Hardy aquatic perennial/root vegetable.  Easy to grow and propagate.  Best growing in full sun to partial shade location in moist soil (or in pond).  White flowers in summer.  Flowers attract bees.  USDA Zones:6-11.  Mature size:2′-3′(H/W).  Propagate by rhizomes/bulbs, offsets or division.  Medicinal.  Bulbs are edible after cooked, it is starchy and crispy.  It is one of the edible weed!  Suitable for growing in containers.

慈姑是強健多年生的水生植物/根莖類蔬菜.  容易栽種及繁殖.  最好栽種在全日照到半日照處的濕潤土中(或池塘中).  夏天開白色花朵,頗吸引蜂類. 耐寒也耐熱!  成熟株高2-3呎,寬幅亦同.  繁殖方式以球根,側芽/走莖或分株方式來進行.  有藥用價值.  秋後植株生長出膨大的球根,球根煮後可以食用,含高澱粉,脆脆的.

Reference links:參考網站資料連結:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittaria_sagittifolia                   https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E6%85%88%E5%A7%91                  http://www.meishij.net/%E6%85%88%E8%8F%87                      http://www.kdais.gov.tw/view.php?catid=989&print=1   http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/31458/#b

 

Groundnut/ Potato Bean (Apios Americana)北美土圞兒

Groundnut/ Potato Bean (Apios Americana) 北美土圞兒

Groundnut/ Potato Bean (Apios Americana) 1yr old tubers. 北美土圞兒第一年的地下根莖.

Cold hardy perennial/climber, it is mainly growing as root vegetable.  Native in Northern America and East Asia.  Easy to grow. Best growing in full sun to partial shade location in moist soil.  Fragrant maroon flowers in late spring to mid summer.  Flowers attract bees and butterflies.   USDA Zones:4-8. Mature size:4′-6′(H) /(W). Propagate by seeds, tubers or division.   Plant requires structure to cling on.

圞:音讀為 ㄌㄨㄢˊ. 耐寒強健的多年生草本/爬藤,它主要是被種植來當根莖類蔬菜使用. 原生於北美與東亞. 容易栽種.  最好栽種在全日照到半日照處的濕潤土壤中.  春末到仲夏間開酒紅色的花朵,花朵有香味.  花頗吸引蜂蝶.  耐寒不耐熱.  成熟株高4-6呎,寬幅亦同.  繁殖方式以種子,地下根莖或分株的方式來進行.  植株需要支架來攀爬.

Reference links: 參考網站資料連結:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apios_americana                         http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/69480/                            https://awaytogarden.com/apios-americana-the-potato-bean-or-groundnut/

Common Burdock (Arctium minus) 小牛蒡

Common Burdock (Arctium minus)  小牛蒡

Common Burdock (Arctium minus) 小牛蒡

 

 

Common Burdock (Arctium minus) mature seed pods and seeds. 小牛蒡成熟的種莢與種子.

Common Burdock (Arctium minus) seed pods and seeds. 小牛蒡的種莢與成熟散落的種子.

This hardy biennial herb/root vegetable is also a common weed here.  Super hardy, drought tolerant and comes with big sized plant!   Easy to grow and propagate.  Best growing in full sun to partial shade location.  Purple flowers in mid summer to mid fall.  Flowers attract bees, butterflies and birds.  USDA Zones:4-10.  Mature size:4′-6′(H) X 2′-4′(W).  Propagate by seeds.  Medicinal.

這是強健的二年生藥草/根莖類蔬菜,同時也是這裡常見的路邊野草.  超級強健,耐旱,能長到蠻大株的!  容易栽種與繁殖.  最好栽種在全日照到半日照處.  仲夏到中秋會開紫色花. 花頗吸引蜂蝶與鳥類.  耐寒也耐熱.  成熟株高4-6呎,寬幅2-4呎.  以種子來繁殖.  有藥用價值.

Reference links: 參考網站資料連結:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctium_minus                   http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/ontweeds/common_burdock.htm#s&l  http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/32169/

Blue Mini Potatoes(Solanum tuberosum ‘Adirondack Blue’)紫色馬鈴薯

Blue Mini Potatoes(Solanum tuberosum ‘Adirondack Blue’)紫色馬鈴薯

 

Blue Mini Potatoes(Solanum tuberosum ‘Adirondack Blue’) has purple skin and flesh. 紫色馬鈴薯外皮及裡面都是紫的.

Fun colour when they are mixed with other coloured mini potatoes.  In terms of size, quantity and the price, I will say the price is still on the higher side.  But it is interesting to enjoy the different varieties of food!

紫皮紫肉的馬鈴薯和其他紅皮黃肉和白皮白肉的混合起來還蠻美麗多彩的.  含較高的花青素.  但論大小數量及價格的話是算偏於昂貴的. 但能享受有趣不同的食物品種是很有福氣的!

Reference links: 參考網站資料連結:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adirondack_Blue_potato

http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/solanum-tuberosum-adirondack-blue/

http://www.ebertsgreenhouse.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/3397/index.htm

 

Greater burdock/Edible burdock (Arctium lappa) 牛蒡

Edible burdock (Arctium lappa) 牛蒡

Edible burdock (Arctium lappa) roots bought from supermarket. 超市賣的牛蒡的根.

Edible burdock (Arctium lappa) roots bought from supermarket. 超市賣的牛蒡的根. Roots section view. 根部橫剖面圖.

Edible burdock seed packet. (Arctium lappa) 牛蒡的種子包.

Edible burdock seeds.(Arctium lappa) 牛蒡的種子

Super hardy biennial herb/root vegetable.   Easy to grow.  USDA Zones:2-10. Mature size:2′-8′(H) X 3′-4′(W). Arctium lappa is  commonly called greater burdock/edible burdock is sunflower family, hardy vegetable mainly growing for its long root. It has become an invasive weed in some countries where do not how to consume them.  Best growing in full sun to partial shade location.  Drought and cold tolerant. No maintenance.   This plant is not just edible as food also medicinal.  Red-purple flowers in late spring to mid summer.  Self seeds easily.  Propagate by seeds.

牛蒡是強健的草藥/根莖類蔬菜.  二年生草本植物.  極易栽種.  耐寒又耐熱.  成熟株高2-8呎,寬幅3-4呎. 它是向日葵家族的一員,是種來取極長的根部為蔬菜.  由於極強健又耐寒耐熱耐旱,無須維護.  所以對不知如何食用它的國家而言變成強勢的雜草.  它不僅是根莖類蔬菜亦可藥用. 栽種以全日照到半日照處種植為佳. 紫紅偏藍的花於春末到仲夏開花.  容易自行結籽繁殖.  繁殖以種子為主.

Reference links: 參考網站資料連結:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctium_lappa

https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E7%89%9B%E8%92%A1

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/burdock-root.html

http://cht.a-hospital.com/w/%E7%89%9B%E8%92%A1

Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) 塊莖金蓮花

Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) 塊莖金蓮花

Mashua tubers.(Tropaeolum tuberosum) 塊莖金蓮花的球根.

Mashua shoot. (Tropaeolum tuberosum) 塊莖金蓮花長出的芽與葉.

This is a very interesting root vegetable/flowering vine.  A tuberous perennial climber from South America.  Best growing in full sun to partial shade location.  Not cold hardy but it is very easy to grow.  Because it is a flowering vine, it requires a structure or support for the plant to cling on it.   Orange red and yellow flowers in mid summer to fall.  Flowers attract bees, butterflies and humming birds.  Fast growing.  USDA Zones:8-10.  Mature size:10′-12′(H)(L)X 1′-2′(W).  Easy to propagate by seeds, cuttings or bulbs.   As root vegetable, it tastes spicy and peppery when it is raw but it is fine after cooked.

這是很有意思的根莖類蔬菜/開花藤類. 原生於南美的球根多年生開花藤.   栽種於全日照到半日照處為佳.  不耐寒但很容易栽種.  因屬於爬藤類所以需要有穩固的支架以供攀爬.  橘紅帶黃色的花於仲夏到秋末盛開.  花頗吸引蜂蝶及蜂鳥.  生長快速.  耐熱不耐寒.  成熟株高10-12呎高/藤長,寬幅1-2呎. 容易以種子,扦插或球根來繁殖.   做為根莖類蔬菜的話生吃有辛辣味,煮熟辛辣味就消失.

“Medicinal properties

Mashua has putative anaphrodisiac effects. It has been recorded by the Spanish chronicler Cobo that mashua was fed to their armies by the Inca Emperors, “that they should forget their wives". Studies of male rats fed on mashua tubers have shown a 45% drop in testosterone levels." –quote from wikepedia.

“用途

塊莖可以做為根莖類蔬菜食用，由於塊莖金蓮花具有強烈的味道以及被認為有降低性慾的作用，可能是它無法普的原因。

塊莖金蓮花的塊莖被認為有降低性慾的作用，實驗結果顯示，雄性老鼠在餵食塊莖後其體內的睪丸酮含量會減少百分之四十五。印加帝國的皇帝也曾利用這種特性，提供塊莖供軍隊食用，以降低軍人「想家」的念頭。

塊莖金蓮花可以用來治療腎臟病，也可以作為利尿劑使用。" — 資料摘自維基百科.

Reference links: 參考資料的網站連結:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropaeolum_tuberosum

http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Tropaeolum+tuberosum

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/85985/Tropaeolum-tuberosum-var-lineamaculatum-Ken-Aslet/Details

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) 奇優果

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) 奇優果

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) seed potatoes. 奇優果的種子球.

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) seed potatoes start to grow leaves. 奇優果的種子球開始長出葉子了.

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) seed potatoes grow leaves. 奇優果的種子球開始長葉.

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) plants grow potatoes in late fall when temperature is cold. In blue circles are some small bulbs. 奇優果秋末變冷時開始結球根. 藍色圈圈是小球.

It is one of the root vegetables.  Usually grow from seed potatoes like these in the image.  Very low maintenance.  The produce potatoes like tubers, starchy after cooked.  Best to grow these in full sun to partial shade location.  USDA Zones:9-11.   Mature size: 1.5′-2′(H) X 6″-1′(W).  Suppose the small yellow flowers in late fall but not often set seeds — I guess because by then the weather gets too cold and too wet for pollination.

It will be a very interesting experiment this year for sure!  🙂

中文叫做奇優果,它就是專門種來吃地下的根莖的酢醬草種類.  還不少品種,有的白,有的紅,有的粉紅,黃或紫黑… 它是低維護的根莖類蔬菜之一.  煮法跟馬鈴薯一樣.  含澱粉高,口味微酸.  種植以全日照或半日照環境最佳.  不耐寒.  成熟株高1.5-2呎高,6吋到1呎寬幅.   小黃花通常在秋末左右開,能結子但不容易結子–大概是天氣轉冷並潮濕影響結子的闗係.

收到種子球有點脫水,已經放到澆溼盆土的小盆中先養著好恢復.  這是今年的實驗之一,應該會很有意思.

More info see links below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxalis_tuberosa

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/how-to-grow-oca-new-zealand-yam

Chinese Artichoke/Artichoke Betony (Stachys affinis) 甘露子/草石蠶

Chinese Artichoke/Artichoke Betony (Stachys affinis) 甘露子/草石蠶

Chinese Artichoke/Artichoke Betony flowers. (Stachys affinis) 甘露子/草石蠶開的花

Chinese Artichoke/Artichoke Betony flowers. (Stachys affinis) 甘露子/草石蠶開的花

Chinese Artichoke/Artichoke Betony edible tubers. (Stachys affinis) 甘露子/草石蠶可食用的塊根.

Chinese Artichoke/Artichoke Betony tubers turn green and grow shoots. (Stachys affinis) 甘露子/草石蠶球根轉綠後長出新芽.

Chinese Artichoke/Artichoke Betony tubers now have leaves. (Stachys affinis) 甘露子/草石蠶球根轉綠後長出葉片.

Very interesting vegetable!  This is an odd looking root vegetable and it is  a hardy perennial!  Yes, the edible roots/tubers/rhizomes do look like jade beads or worm like shape.  Very hardy and easy to grow.  Normally propagate by roots/rhizomes or dividing the plant clumps.  The texture and flavour is similar to Jerusalem artichoke.  But often prepared as pickle as side dish or garnish.  Small pink-purplish flowers in mid-late summer.  Best to grow it in full sun location.  USDA Zones:5-9.   Mature size: 1′-1.5′(H) x 6″(W).  Medicinal herb.

很有意思的植物!  這是有著毛蟲或螺螄或珠串形狀球根的地下根莖類蔬菜.  非常強健易於栽種.  一般是以如圖的小球根來繁殖,但也可用種子或分株來繁殖. 吃起來像是菊芋般的口感. 通常以醬菜的形式或是當作菜餚上的擺飾點綴.  夏天在直立的花串上開紫色小花.  全日照栽培為佳.  耐寒性佳.  成熟植株高1呎到1呎半,寬幅約6吋.  藥用植物.

Reference links: 參考資料網站連結:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stachys_affinis

http://www.dianshu119.com/index.php?doc-view-444.html