Moringa oleifera
Moringa oleifera is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant tree that is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is also known as the drumstick tree, the horseradish tree, or the miracle tree. Moringa is a...
View ArticlePiper sarmentosum (wild betel, lolot)
Piper sarmentosum is an herbaceous perennial, native to Southeast Asia, but is now cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world.It is a popular culinary herb in its native...
View ArticleThe history of our farm
This year our farm is celebrating 35 years of growing in this location, but the history of the land goes back much further than that.Human populations have been living in this region for thousands of...
View ArticleAlpinia hainanensis
Alpinia hainanensis is a large, fast-growing species of ginger. At first glance, one might assume it is a shell ginger, but there are several key distinctions. This species grows about 6 feet tall and...
View ArticleIpomoea macrorhiza (pink moonvine, large-root morning glory)
Ipomoea macrorhiza has beautiful nocturnal flowers and an edible root. It is a true perennial; the vines go dormant in the winter and sprout from the short stem at the top of the root in the spring.The...
View ArticleSenna mexicana var. chapmanii (Bahama senna)
Among all the species in the Cassia/Senna group, Senna mexicana is one of the most desirable to grow. It flowers nearly continuously throughout the year, providing plenty of color in the landscape. It...
View ArticleRose apple (Syzygium jambos)
Syzygium jambos is a small tree or large shrub bearing delicious yellow fruits with the flavor of rosewater.The yellow blooms are borne in clusters at the ends of the previous season's growth. In...
View ArticleZamia maritima (cardboard plant)
Zamia maritima is a cycad, a taxonomic branch that has existed virtually unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs. Its thick, firm leaflets are the reason it is often known as cardboard plant.The leaf...
View ArticleDioscorea bulbifera, edible air potato
The information contained in this post is entirely about the edible cultivated varieties of Dioscorea bulbifera. The wild air potatoes you find growing in the woods are NOT edible.This is one of the...
View ArticleWater chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis)
Eleocharis dulcis is commonly known as water chestnut or Chinese water chestnut. The edible part of the plant is the underground corm, which is typically harvested when the plant dies down in the...
View ArticleGiant Vine Fern (Stenochlaena tenuifolia)
Giant Vine Fern (Stenochlaena tenuifolia) is an impressive species with large fronds up to 4 feet in length. It makes an excellent tall groundcover for large areas under trees, or a lush background...
View ArticleSword bean (Canavalia gladiata)
Everything about the sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) is impressive. From the time the first true leaves emerge from the seed, until the pods split open to reveal their giant pink seeds, there's...
View ArticleTaro, Dasheen (Colocasia esculenta)
Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a tropical starchy root crop. The large, "elephant-ear" type leaves can grow 2-3 feet long and 1-2 feet wide. Each leaf emerges from an underground corm and the overall...
View ArticleAechmea weilbachii forma leodiensis
Aechmea weilbachii forma leodiensis typically blooms during the late fall through early winter period. The inflorescence is held erect, well above the foliage, for a beautiful display. The spike is red...
View ArticleKatuk (Sauropus androgynus)
Katuk is an edible leafy shrub that thrives in tropical or subtropical climates. It's botanically known as Sauropus androgynus.Nearly all parts of the plant can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaflets are...
View ArticleBillbergia amoena var. striata
Billbergia amoena var. striata generally blooms in late fall or winter, but it looks good even when not in bloom. The flower spike features bright pinkish-red bracts with contrasting pale green flowers...
View ArticlePapalo (Porophyllum ruderale ssp. macrocephalum)
Papalo (Porophyllum ruderale ssp. macrocephalum) is a traditional Mexican herb commonly used fresh with salads, sandwiches, soups, stews, meats or beans. It is only used fresh, or added to cooked foods...
View ArticleMolokhia (Egyptian spinach)
Molokhia is a highly nutritious ancient super-green from the Middle-East. It's also known as Egyptian spinach, jute mallow or Jew's mallow. Botanically, it's Corchorus olitorius. The leaves can be...
View ArticleVelvet bean (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis)
Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) is a legume with numerous health benefits. The plant grows as a vine so some sort of support is needed when growing it in the garden.The vine climbs by twining around...
View ArticleEast Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
East Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is one of the quickest and easiest herbs to grow from seed or divisions. It's also one of the most useful herbs to have in your garden.Plants started early...
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