Dendrocalamus latiflorus – TAIWAN GIANT BAMBOO aka SWEET BAMBOO – Outstanding edible shoots – Hardy to 27F – 60-80’ x 4-8” – Culm walls may be over an inch thick - Leaves to 16” x 4”.
Dendrocalamus xishuangbannaensis – XISHUANGBANNA BAMBOO – Edible shoots - A construction bamboo - Hardy to 21F (USDA zone 9B) – Very tall – Unconfirmed to 150’.
Dendrocalamus yunnanicus – CHINESE SWEET SHOOT BAMBOO – Excellent edible shoots – Timber bamboo – Hardy to 30F (USDA zone 9B) – 60-80’ x 5-7”.
Dioscorea trifida - PURPLE-FLESHED MAPUEY - Any purple-fleshed forms.
Hedychium “Kai Yang” – “KAI YANG” BUTTERFLY GINGER - coconut-scented flowers, 5-6’, part sun, late summer bloomer, cream colored flowers - available from Gingers of Texas, $7.95 who are closed currently.
Hedychium “Tropic Bird” – "TROPIC BIRD" BUTTERFLY GINGER - strong, spicy clove-like fragrance - Gingers R Us – sold out as of June 9, 2018.
Lagenarina siceraria ssp. siceraria (and the Eurasian L. siceraria ssp. Asiatica) – BOTTLE GOURD -the species of African and European Bottle Gourds found at Florida prehistoric sites. RESPONSE ON FACEBOOK: "TriciaLynn N Bill Grosser" wrote - "I have seeds from bottle gourds found in the native sites in north Florida and on up in the Cherokee NC/TN areas."
Piper methysticum –KAVA– named varieties.
Prunus campanulata - TAIWAN CHERRY (flowering, not fruiting type).
Quercus insignis - ENCINO BORINO - The second largest acornin the world - Eric Toensmeier has made YouTube videos about this amazing foodforest staple food - I would be delighted to obtain fresh viable seeds from its native mexico or from any growers.
Zingiber citriodorum - rhizomes exude a lemon scent when broken.
Zingiber niveum - pure white flowered form - a wildly beautiful shampoo ginger with pure white inflorescences and yellow flowers.
Zingiber officinale var "LAO LEMON RAINBOW" - I have two pots so far and am always looking for more. I love this orange-fleshed true ginger which has the taste of ginger - grapefruit - and - black pepper to me.
Zingiber spectabile – “GLOWING ORB” BEEHIVE GINGER - intensely bright orange inflorescences - available from kauairix on Ebay for $20.00 + $8.45 shipping.
Zingiber spectabile - “YELLOW SCEPTER” BEEHIVE GINGER - available from kauairix on Ebay for $12.00 + $8.45. I have the similar "Early Yellow Shampoo Ginger.
NUTS: Plus any rare nuts from areas of the world that are similar to the central Florida climate: Himalayan nuts, Ethiopian nuts, southern Chinese nuts, High altitude Mexican nuts, etc. ----------
ORGANIZED BY FAMILY - GENUS - SPECIES - VARIETY
AMARYLLIDACEAE (Amaryllus Family) - Crinum herbertii “CAIRO”- available from Bulbs N More Nursery, Middleburg, FL $for 20.
Crinum herbertii “CAIRO”----------
AMARYLLIDACEAE (Amaryllus Family) - Crinum jagus scillafolia – vanilla scent - available from southernbulbs.com and Bulbs N More Nursery, Middleburg, FL for $35.
Crinum jagus scillafolia----------
AMARYLLIDACEAE (Amaryllus Family) - Crinum “JAGUA RATTRAYII” CRINUM LILY – rare vanilla scent - available from Bulbs N More Nursery, Middleburg, FL for $75 (find a cheaper source). Crinum “JAGUA RATTRAYII” CRINUM LILY
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AMARYLLIDACEAE (Amaryllus Family) - Crinum powellii “ROSEUM” – gorgeous blooms - available from Bulbs N More Nursery, Middleburg, FL for $30; Southern Bulb Company (of Texas) sells it for $18. Crinum powellii “ROSEUM”
ANACARDACEAE (Cashew Family) – Rhus chinensis - CHINESE SUMAC (WU BEI ZI) – Sandy Mush Herbs sold it. Rhus chinensis - CHINESE SUMAC
Rhus chinensis - CHINESE SUMAC----------
AQUIFOLIACEAE (Holly Family) – Ilex guayusa – GUAYUSA (HUAYUSA, Kichwa / WAYUS or WAIS, Shuar) - A friend told me that he can send cuttings from Alabama.
ARACACEAE (Palm Family) - Borassus flabellifer – PALMYRA PALM (TODDY PALM) – Research cold hardiness – “Palms of South Florida” by George Stevenson lists is for central Florida and writes, “The Palmyra Palm shares with the Coconut the honor of being among the most useful of trees to mankind. In its Indian homeland, it is a source of edible oil, of lumber, sugar, wine, and many other valuable products.” Borassus flabellifer – PALMYRA PALM Borassus flabellifer – PALMYRA PALM
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ARACACEAE (Palm Family) - Butia eriospatha – WOOLY JELLY PALM – edible fruits (wines, juices, jellies, jams) – damaged at 21F, may survive 7F when mature, FrozenSeeds on Ebay sells them (check that they are a good source).
ARACACEAE (Palm Family) - Jubaea chilensis - CHILEAN WINE PALM – aka HONEY PALM, COKERBUT, PYGMY COCONUT or COQUITO PALM – 20F (USDA Zones 9A – 10A) – 2” edible fruits “bland” and the seed is the better edible part – “The taste is somewhat like a miniature coconut.” – The harvested sap, which kills the beautiful palm, is made into wine. – Palms of South Florida state that it only does well in north Florida. Jubaea chilensis - CHILEAN WINE PALM
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ARACACEAE (Palm Family) - Phoenix dactylifera – “HALAWI” DATE PALM Phoenix dactylifera – “HALAWI” DATE PALM Phoenix dactylifera – “HALAWI” DATE PALM
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ARACACEAE (Palm Family) - Phoenix dactylifera – DATE PALM – humidity-tolerant varieties mentioned by Dr. Julia Morton.
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ARACACEAE (Palm Family) - Washingtonia filifera – CALIFORNIA FAN PALM – CRFG = “They are hardy to 18F (USDA Zones 8-11).” Aka Desert Fan Palm or Petticoat Pal. “The berry-like, small fruits are brownish-black and have a thin, sweet pulp that tastes somewhat like dates or butterscotch.” Washingtonia filifera – CALIFORNIA FAN PALM Washingtonia filifera – CALIFORNIA FAN PALM
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ARAUCARIACEAE (Araucaria Family) - Araucaria angustifolia – PARANA PINE. I have two seedlings and am searching for fresh viable seeds so that I may grow many more - a guy in Brazil sells one kilo of fresh seeds for $50 US via Dave’s Garden. Araucaria angustifolia – PARANA PINE Araucaria angustifolia – PARANA PINE
Araucaria angustifolia – PARANA PINE ----------
ARISTOLOCHIACEAE (Birthwort Family) - Aristolochia serpentaria – VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT – medicinal. Aristolochia serpentaria – VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT
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BETULACEAE (Birch Family) – Corylus jacquemontii – INDIAN TREE HAZEL (JACQUEMONT’S HAZEL, KABASI in Hindi) – edible raw or cooked – oil is obtained from the nuts – cultivated - may be stored whole up to 12 months in a cool place – zones 6-9. Corylus jacquemontii – INDIAN TREE HAZEL ----------
CACTACEAE (Cactus Family) - Cereus caesius - sold by Mesa Gardens. Cereus caesius Cereus caesius
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Chamaecostus cuspidatus (Costus cuspidatus )– KOSTUM (Fiery Costus) - bright orange showy flowers - an Ayurvedic medicine - shade – 2” bright orange flowers that look like crepe paper – grows in a clump – a good container plant – flowers continuously – zone 8 - available from Gingers of Texas.
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Cheilocostus lacerus – (gorgeous showy white flowers from deep red bracts). Cheilocostus lacerus
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COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Cheilocostus speciosus – “JAVAN PINK” CREPE GINGER – Richard Obrien grows it - he was out of stock the last time I visited his nursery. Cheilocostus speciosus – “JAVAN PINK” CREPE GINGER ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus amazonicus --- I originally had these two photos identified (via Aloha Tropicals who posted them) as Costus laevis. UPDATE: Costus expert David Skinner messaged me... he writes: "Hi Andy, I just happened upon the website Florida Foraging and wanted to let you know that the photos below are not Costus laevis. The fibrous margins to the bracts would indicate that this is Costus amazonicus." - THANKS DAVID!
Costus laevis (photo by Aloha Tropicals). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus asplundii – (beautiful flowers, available from Gingers R Us). Costus asplundii ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus barbatus – This photo below is the rare, true species, as identified by David Skinner. True barbatus, which is very rare in cultivation, has hairy bracts. Costus barbatus - Photo by David Skinner, a Costus expert. ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus claviger. PHOTO: "dwarf basal flowering" by David Skinner. Costus claviger (dwarf basal flowering) ----------
Costus curvibracteatus (David Skinner's photo from Rio Purisil, Costa Rica) ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus erythrophyllus – BLOOD RED SPIRAL GINGER (Oxblood Costus) – shade – 3-5’ – stunning foliage has dark maroon underside – blooms white/pink – dark stems - zone 9 - available from Gingers of Texas. Costus erythrophyllus – BLOOD RED SPIRAL GINGER Costus erythrophyllus – BLOOD RED SPIRAL GINGER----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus erythrophyllus “Foster Gardens” – “FOSTER GARDENS” BLOOD RED SPIRAL GINGER – shade – 3’ – unidentified – blooms rich salmon-colored – zone 9 – dark maroon underside - available from Gingers of Texas.
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COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus fenestralis – Dave Skinner probably grows it. Costus fenestralis (photo by David Skinner, posted to Facebook). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus lasius – YELLOW LOLIPOP – available from Zone 9 Tropicals. Costus lasius (photo by Vintage Green Farms). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus mosaicus – (beautiful light purple flowers). Costus mosaicus (photo by Gingers R Us). Costus mosaicus (photo by Gingers R Us). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus pulverulentus – RED CIGAR - (gorgeous red flowers). Costus pulverulentus – RED CIGAR (photo by Hans Hillewaert, in Costa Rica) ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus speciosus “Red” – RED-FLOWERED CREPE GINGER – red cones with white flowers – 6-9’ tall - shade to partial shade or full sun – summer bloomer - zone 8 - available from Gingers of Texas.
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COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus spicatus – “TICO SUNRISE” SPIRAL GINGER – 6-7’ – gorgeous blooms - red-orange cone with flowers that are light orange with dark splashes – part sun to about 5 hours a day – named by David Skinner – zone 8 - available from Gingers of Texas. ostus spicatus – “TICO SUNRISE” SPIRAL GINGER (photo by the Heliconia Society). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus stenophyllus – SNAKE CANDY CANE GINGER. Pete Kanaris might have this species. Costus stenophyllus – SNAKE CANDY CANE GINGER (photo from Plant Lust).
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) –Costus subsessilis – large bright yellow flowers – long bloom time through the summer - 1’ tall – fuzzy leaves - shade to partial shade – zone 8 - available from Gingers of Texas. Timothy Chapman, of Gingerwood Nursery, tells us that the ones grown in the US originated from Bolivia. Costus subsessilis (photo by the International Tropical Foliage & Garden Society). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus talbotii – "BLUSHING SPIRAL" - a semi-epiphytic African species. David Skinner writes, "It can bloom either basally from the rhizome or laterally from the leaf axil." Costus talbotii - 'BUSHING SPIRAL" (photo by Gingers R Us). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus pulverulentus x villisissimus (a natural hybrid). ---------- COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus “CALIFORNIA DREAMING” . He found the one in the attached photo in Mexico. Costus “CALIFORNIA DREAMING” (Photo by David Skinner on Facebook). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus “El Whiskey” – “EL WHISKEY” SPIRAL GINGER (gorgeous white, pink, and yellow flowers, Gingers R Us sells it). A registered name by David Skinner. Costus “El Whiskey” – “EL WHISKEY” SPIRAL GINGER (Photo by David Skinner). Costus “El Whiskey” – “EL WHISKEY” SPIRAL GINGER (Photo by David Skinner via the Heliconia Society International). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus “Firebird” (C. ?osae x C. ?comosus) – “FIREBIRD” SPIRAL GINGER (Gingers R Us sells it). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus laevis“Lemon Chiffon” (a form of C. laevis) – “LEMON CHIFFON” SPIRAL GINGER (very beautiful soft lemon yellow flowers with a deep pink center appear from dark red bracts, Gingers R Us sells it). Costus laevis“Lemon Chiffon” (a form of C. laevis) – “LEMON CHIFFON” SPIRAL GINGER (Photos posted by the Heliconia Society International). Costus laevis“Lemon Chiffon” (a form of C. laevis) – “LEMON CHIFFON” SPIRAL GINGER (Photo by David Skinner) ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus “Lone Survivor” (“Tropicais” x Costus “Mellow Yellow”} – “LONE SURVIVOR" SPIRAL GINGER. Costus “Lone Survivor” (“Tropicais” x Costus “Mellow Yellow”} – “LONE SURVIVOR" SPIRAL GINGER (Photo posted to Facebook by David Skinner). Costus “Lone Survivor” (“Tropicais” x Costus “Mellow Yellow”} – “LONE SURVIVOR" SPIRAL GINGER (Photo posted to Facebook by David Skinner). ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus “Mellow Yellow” – available from Zone 9 Tropicals. ----------
COSTACEAE (Spiral Ginger Family) – Costus– various species and varieties from Gingers R Us in Tallahassee, FL – David Skinner, Costus expert. He grows many species and varieties… and I mean MANY!
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CUCURBITACEAE (Gourd Family) - Cucurbita? moschata?– varieties with “naked seeds” for eating – Marabou Thomas mentioned that he wants it, it is rare.
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CUCURBITACEAE (Gourd Family) -Gynostemma pentaphyllum - JIAOGULAN – I grow one variety already and would like more.
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CUCURBITACEAE (Gourd Family) – Lagenaria siceraria – AFRICAN BOTTLE GOURD? - The species of African Gourd that was approximately 10,000 years old in Little Salt Spring, Northport, Florida]
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DIOSCOREACEAE (Yam Family) - Dioscorea trifida (morado) – PURPLE MAPUEY. Purple varieties are reported from Venezuela and restaurants serve them there. Dioscorea trifida (morado) – PURPLE MAPUEY
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EBENACEAE (Ebony Family) – Diospyros kaki – WEEPING PERSIMMON – available from Just Fruits and Exotics. I had a nice one but a hurricane broke it off at the base. Diospyros kaki – WEEPING PERSIMMON (Photo by Just Fruits & Exotics).
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FABACEAE (Pea Family) - Albizia julibrissin – MIMOSA (Silktree) – invasive in central and north Florida – flower tea medicinal. Albizia julibrissin – MIMOSA (Silktree) ----------
FABACEAE (Pea Family) - Caragana macrophylla - LITTLELEAF PEASHRUB - Ola mentioned this more heat tolerant pea shrub. Caragana macrophylla - LITTLELEAF PEASHRUB
Caragana macrophylla - LITTLELEAF PEASHRUB (Photo by HobbySeeds).----------
FABACEAE (Pea Family) – Dalbergia melanoxylon – AFRICAN BLACKWOOD (MPINGO) – 25 seeds for $10 from Seeds for Garden on Ebay. Dalbergia melanoxylon – AFRICAN BLACKWOOD (MPINGO)
FABACEAE (Pea Family) - Gleditsia sinensis – CHINESE HONEY LOCUST (ZAO JIA) – available from Oikos Tree Crops. Gleditsia sinensis – CHINESE HONEY LOCUST
Gleditsia sinensis – CHINESE HONEY LOCUST
Gleditsia sinensis – CHINESE HONEY LOCUST----------
FABACEAE (Pea Family) - Gleditsia triacanthos – HONEY LOCUST - Marabou said it was recommended in Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture as a better option for humid climate zones. Gleditsia triacanthos – HONEY LOCUST
Gleditsia triacanthos – HONEY LOCUST----------
FABACEAE (Pea Family) - Prosopis alba – ARGENTINE MESQUITE - among the fastest growing mesquite - flowers make a honey. Prosopis alba – ARGENTINE MESQUITE Prosopis alba – ARGENTINE MESQUITE
FABACEAE (Pea Family) - Prosopis velutina – VELVET MESQUITE (the largest species of Mesquite, perhaps the most preferred mesquite species). Prosopis velutina – VELVET MESQUITE Prosopis velutina – VELVET MESQUITE
Prosopis velutina – VELVET MESQUITE (Photo by the University of Arizona).----------
LAURACEAE (Laurel Family) – Cinnamomum japonicum – KOREAN CAMPHOR (Yabu-Nikkei in Japan) – 25-40’ tall – 5F – USDA zone 7 – yields perfume - oil made into soap – wood for furniture, etc. - medicinal - $14 from cistus.com. Cinnamomum japonicum – KOREAN CAMPHOR
Cinnamomum japonicum – KOREAN CAMPHOR----------
LAURACEAE (Laurel Family) – Cinnamomum tamala – INDIAN BAY (INDIAN CASSIA) – available from Seeds for Garden on Ebay - $7 for seeds. The bark is used much like true Cinnamon. The leaves yield a useful essential oil. Cinnamomum tamala – INDIAN BAY (INDIAN CASSIA)
Cinnamomum tamala – INDIAN BAY (INDIAN CASSIA)----------
OLEACEAE (Olive Family) – Coula edulis – AFRICAN WALNUT (GABON NUT) - Sierra Leone, Angola, Nigeria – 50% fat - has a taste comparable to hazelnut or chestnut – “it is eaten raw, grilled or boiled.” Coula edulis – AFRICAN WALNUT
Coula edulis – AFRICAN WALNUT----------
OLEACEAE (Olive Family) - Olea europaea – “ARBOSANA” OLIVE– Spain – Needs Arbequina for pollination – heavy producer – For oil (nutty/fruity) - available from Just Fruits and Exotics 39.99 – 3 ga./4-5 ft. (39.99 pick up).
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OLEACEAE (Olive Family) - Olea europaea – “ASCOLANO” OLIVE (“ASCOLANO DURA”) – Italy – 20’ tall – USDA zone 8 - weeping branches – high quality very large (8-10 grams) table/green table olive – Large fruit – freestone – delicate flesh - also a light oil – ripens in September - Needs Pendolino for pollination. - “They fruit reliably in the Southeast.” – best in zones 8B-9 - “probably the largest good tasting table olive (there are larger olives, a few, but they tend to be very woody).” - said to “and to prefer cooler rather than hotter growing environments” - Needs Pendolino for pollination – “A top contender for commercial fruit production in cooler coastal climates and the Willamette Valley.” - available from Just Fruits and Exotics 39.99 – 3 ga./4-5 ft. (39.99 pick up) - $18 from cistus.com.
OLEACEAE (Olive Family) - Olea europaea – “VASSILIKA” OLIVE (aka Royal) – Greece (a Black Sea varietal) – dual use, oil and table – 15-20’ tall tree – vigorous – upright - Very frost tolerant, probably to 0F, USDA zone 7 – “suitable for making excellent-quality black and green pickles. The fruit is relatively large, oval in shape, with a fairly small pit” - $14 from cistus.com.
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OLEACEAE (Olive Family) - Olea europaea – OLIVES - more heirloom varieties, other than these that I already grow (Arbequina, Ascolano, Barouni, Cig---?, Empeltre, Frantoio, Koroneiki, Leccino, Manzanilla/o, Maurino, Picholine, Saracena). Check Rolling River Nursery’s website for rare heirloom varieties.
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PINACEAE (Pine Family) – Pinus caribaea – CARIBBEAN PINE (PINO MACHO) - Small 1/4" long. seeds. "This is an important timber tree and is widely exploited." Native to (according to conifers.org) "Caribbean: Bahamas and Turks-Caicos Islands (var. bahamensis); W Cuba: Pinar del Rio and Isla de la Juventud (var. caribaea); Mexico: S Quintana Roo; N Guatemala; Belize; Honduras incl. Islas de la Bahía; El Salvador; Nicaragua (var. hondurensis)." Pinus caribaea – CARIBBEAN PINE (PINO MACHO)
Pinus caribaea – CARIBBEAN PINE (PINO MACHO) (Photo of an 8 cm. cone from conifers.org).----------
PINACEAE (Pine Family) – Pinus cembroides – MEXICAN PINYON (PINYON PINE). INO MACHO. Pinus cembroides – MEXICAN PINYON (PINYON PINE) Pinus cembroides – MEXICAN PINYON (PINYON PINE) (Photo by the Tree of Life Web Project).
Pinus cembroides – MEXICAN PINYON (PINYON PINE) (Photo from the USDA Plants Database).----------
PIPERACEAE (Pepper Family) - Piper methysticum –KAVA – various named varieties. Kalm With Kava writes, "there are over 100 kava varieties." They go on to say, "Vanuatu is a South Pacific archipelago made up of 83 small islands, 65 of which are inhabited. Vanuatu is the assumed ancestral home of kava and has over 80 varieties of kava with many being unique to individual islands. The Kalm with Kava shop includes 3 Vanuatu kava varieties including Borogu, Borongoru and Melomelo. Below is a list of the more popular known Vanuatu Noble kava varieties: Ahouia Amon Asiyai Bir Kar Bir Sul Biyaj
Borogoru (also known as Borongoru)
Borogu (Also known as Gorgor)
Ge Gusug Ge Vemea Ge Wiswisket Kelai
Leay Melmel Melomelo Miela Naga Mfwok
Olitao Palarasul Palasa Palimet Pia Poivota
Pualiu Puariki Sese Silese Urukara Kava is the official national drink of Fiji where it is called both Yaqona and Malogu. Yaqona, which means bitter, refers to the bitter, earthy taste of kava and Malogu, which means subdue, references the calming effects of a drink of kava. Fiji has 13 kava varieties: Damu Dokobana Loa Dokobana Vula
Honolulu Loa Kasa Balavu Loa Kasa Keka
Matakaro Balavu Matakaro Leka
Qila Balavu Qila Leka
Vula Kasa Balavu Vula Kasa Leka Yalu Hawaii has 13 traditional varieties (listed below) and all are good for drinking. Hanakapi’ai Hiwa Honokane Iki
Kumakua Mahakea Mapulehu
Moi Nene Opihikao
Pana’ewa Papa ‘Ele Ele
Papa ‘Ele Ele Pu’Pu Papa Kea
Two foreign Tudei kava varieties, Isa and lwi, are imported varieties, non-native to Hawaii that are also grown on Hawaiian islands. Tongan Kava Varieties All varieties cultivated in Tonga are Noble kava varieties that are known more for being more suitable for daytime drinking due to their more uplifting and with less sedating effects than some of the Fiji and Vanuatu kava varieties. Kava Fulufulu (Also know as Fu’u) Kava Kula Kava Tea Lekahina Lekahina ‘Akau Lekakula Lekakula ‘Akau Our Pouni Ono Kava is a blend of Leka Hina, Kava Kula, and Kava Fulufulu. Samoan Kava Varieties: In Samoa Kava is referred to as Ava and varieties include: Ava La’au
Ava Lea
Ava Loa
Ava Tonga Other Island Kava Varieties:
Papua New Guinea has just one noble kava variety: Kau kupwe, found on Baluan island. Similarly, the single noble kava variety on the Solomon Islands is: Melomelo and in the Federated States of Micronesia Kava Variety is: Rahmwahnger Piper methysticum –KAVA (Photo of a mature plant from The Kava Society website).
Piper methysticum –KAVA
Piper methysticum –KAVA (Photo from Kava Forums)Piper methysticum –KAVA (Photo of different strains from Hawaiian Kava dot-com via the Kava Society in New Zealand).---------- POACEAE (Grass Family) - Ampelocalamus scandens - PA ZHU - Viney, takes mid 20s. - a 3 gallon pot is $50 from Tropical Bamboo Nursery, Loxahatchee, FL. Ampelocalamus scandens - PA ZHU (Photo from bambooweb.info) ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Bambusa arnhemica – ARNHEM LAND BAMBOO – Australia – Edible shoots - Made into didgeridoos - $30 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Bambusa arnhemica – ARNHEM LAND BAMBOO (photo by Bamboo Land, Australia)
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Bambusa bicicatricata (synonym: Dendrocalamus bicicatricata) – MENG ZHU – native to Hainan, China – new to the United States according to Robert Saporito. LOOK UP PRICE.
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POACEAE (Grass Family) – Bambusa distegia – LIAO CI ZHU - 21F – 30’ x 3” - available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery, 3 gallon pot for $65. Bambusa distegia – LIAO CI ZHU (Photo from Boonut Farm in Texas).
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Bambusa intermedia – MIAN ZHU – 40-45’ x 3-4” - 27F (Josh Jamison of Lake Wales reported no damage at 27F) - $35 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Bambusa multiplex “Tiny Fern” – “TINY FERN” HEDGE BAMBOO – 18F – 3’ x 1/8” - $30 from Tropical Bamboo Nursery (they only had 1 to 2 plants left the last time that I checked).
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Bambusa nana – (“actually Thyrsocalamus liang, a hybrid species”) - THAI BEAUTY BAMBOO – a very tight clumper – light feathery leaves – a new introduction - branchless on lower quarter - $65 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. - Matthew Reece grows it, try to trade with him for a rhizome division.
---------- POACEAE (Grass Family) - Bambusa nana var. "sriata" - CANDY CANE BAMBOO - available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery, $500 for a 3 gallon pot. They write, "This bamboo was imported from N.E.Thailand and the single, small specimen was released to us in 2018." Bambusa nana var. "sriata" - CANDY CANE BAMBOO (Photo by Tropical Bamboo Nursery) ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Bambusa nutans – NUTANS BAMBOO (MAI BONG, NODDING BAMBOO) – good edible shoots - available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Bambusa textilis albostriata – 20-30’ x 1” - 15F – White pin stripes - $35 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Bambusa tulda – BENGAL BAMBOO (MAL, INDIAN TIMBER BAMBOO) – edible shoots are very good pickled - available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Bambusa sp. Longinternode – For flute-making – 25’ - $25 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Cephalostachyum virgatum – JIN MAO KONG ZHU - edible shoots – cold hardiness unknown - native to Thailand – available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery (3 ga.) for $75. Cephalostachyum virgatum – JIN MAO KONG ZHU (Photo from Tropical Bamboo Nursery) ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus bambusoides – ZEN GRAY BAMBOO - Hardy to 22F - $50 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Dendrocalamus bambusoides – ZEN GRAY BAMBOO (Photo from Tropical Bamboo Nursery)
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus barbatus var. internodiradicus – CAT’S EAR BAMBOO - the
New culm colors are spectacular – no hardiness is mentioned – available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery for $75, 3 ga. Dendrocalamus barbatus var. internodiradicus – CAT’S EAR BAMBOO (Photo from Tropical Bamboo Nursery). ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus brandisii – TEDDY BEAR BAMBOO – aka WABO, BULKA, MAU BONGYAI - Hardy to 22-32F – 60’ x 4” (Gaia Yoga in Hawaii lists it at 108’ x 8”) – Reports to 180’ are very questionable - Delicious edible shoots – Brownish “fur” on new shoots – A construction bamboo – or furniture making, etc. - $45 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus copelandii – PIG FAT BAMBOO (PHAI MAN MU) - Edible shoots (cultivated commercially) – 75’ x 7-8” - $75 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Dendrocalamus copelandii – PIG FAT BAMBOO (PHAI MAN MU) (Photo from Tropical Bamboo Nursery) ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus farinosus – DA YE CI - Excellent edible shoots - Hardy to 22F - $65 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Dendrocalamus farinosus – DA YE CI (Photo from Tropical Bamboo Nursery) ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus giganteus – “QUAIL CLONE” GIANT BAMBOO - Hardy to USDA Zone 9B - Available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Dendrocalamus giganteus – “QUAIL CLONE” GIANT BAMBOO (Photo from Ocean View Bamboo). ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus giganteus variegatus – VARIEGATED GIANT BAMBOO – 30’ x 3” - “Occasional variegated leaves” – “Often produces tortoise-shell culms” - Hardy to USDA Zone 9B - $75 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus hamiltonii “Red Shoot” – RED SHOOT BAMBOO aka PHAI HOK, TAMA, KAKO, GIANT BAMBOO, TUFTED BAMBOO – Edible shoots - 80-100’ x 3” – Leaves to 14” long – “Highly valued for woodworking and furniture making” - Hardy to 25-27F (USDA Zone 9B) - $45 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus latiflorus – TAIWAN GIANT BAMBOO (SWEET BAMBOO) – Outstanding edible shoots – Hardy to 27F – 60-80’ x 4-8” – Culm walls may be over an inch thick - Leaves to 16” x 4” - $45 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Dendrocalamus latiflorus – TAIWAN GIANT BAMBOO (Photo from bambooweb.info) ---------- POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus sikkimensis – PHILIPPINE SWEET BAMBOO (PURIANG) – Excellent edible shoots (“A favorite edible shoot in the Philippines) - Hardy to USDA zone 9B –50-60’ x 4-8” - $250 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Dendrocalamus sikkimensis – PHILIPPINE SWEET BAMBOO (Photo by Quindembo Bamboo) Dendrocalamus sikkimensis – PHILIPPINE SWEET BAMBOO (PURIANG) (Photo from Earthcare) Dendrocalamus sikkimensis – PHILIPPINE SWEET BAMBOO (PURIANG) (Photo from Bambooweb)----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus sinicus aequotus – STRAIGHT DRAGON BAMBOO - Edible shoots - Hardy to 21F (USDA zone 9B) – Possibly the largest bamboo in the world – Unconfirmed to 151’ x 14.5” - $250 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery - they write, "This sub-species differs from the original form in that its lower internodes are straight, not slanted, zig-zag, or curved. There are no tortured-looking culms." Dendrocalamus sinicus aequotus – STRAIGHT DRAGON BAMBOO (Photo from Tropical Bamboo Nursery)
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus xishuangbannaensis – XISHUANGBANNA BAMBOO – Edible shoots - A construction bamboo - Hardy to 21F (USDA zone 9B) – Very tall – Unconfirmed to 150’ - $150 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Dendrocalamus xishuangbannaensis – XISHUANGBANNA BAMBOO
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus yunnanicus – CHINESE SWEET SHOOT BAMBOO (GIANT BAMBOO) – Excellent edible shoots – Timber bamboo – Quindembo Bamboo writes, "Famous for its delectable shoots, its canes are also used for construction. This plant is also used for bamboo fiber." - Hardy to 30F (USDA zone 9B) – 60-80’ x 5-7” - $45 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Dendrocalamus yunnanicus – CHINESE SWEET SHOOT BAMBOO (Photo from Quindembo Bamboo) Dendrocalamus yunnanicus – CHINESE SWEET SHOOT BAMBOO (Photo from bambooweb.info)----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Dendrocalamus "PARKER GIANT” BAMBOO – all of the Florida clumps that I know of (mine at Bamboo Grove, Josh Jamison’s, Tropical Bamboo Nursery’s, and John Rogers) all flowered around 2018 and died) – the seeds are ripening as of April, 2019 by the thousands at the Tropical Bamboo Nursery’s clump - edible orange shoots – Gaia Yoga in Hawaii writes, “delicious” shoots – which are sometimes sweet enough to eat raw.” – John Rogers says that they are choice – 25F – claims to 120; x 10” in Hawaii are exaggerated, but it is very large. ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Drepanostachyum khasianum – KHASIA BAMBOO (PURPLE JADE, PURPLE BAMBOO) – 8-10’ tall – Native to Nepal - USDA zone 8B – must be planted in the shade in Florida. Drepanostachyum khasianum – KHASIA BAMBOO (Photo bybamboocreations.com.au)
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POACEAE (Grass Family) - Gigantochloa atter – PRING JAWA (KAYALI, SWEET BAMBOO, ATTER BAMBOO) – sweet edible shoots - available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Gigantochloa atter – PRING JAWA (Photo by Guadua Bamboo)
Gigantochloa atter – PRING JAWA (Photo by bambooweb.info)----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Gigantochloa felix – YELLOW SNAKESKIN BAMBOO – sheaths distinctly mottled in a snakeskin pattern - available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery for $75 for a 3 gallon. Gigantochloa felix – YELLOW SNAKESKIN BAMBOO (Photos from Tropical Bamboo Nursery) ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Gigantochloa levis – BOLO – “delicious” edible shoots – available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Gigantochloa levis – BOLO (Photo by Bamboo Land in Australia) ----------
POACEAE (Grass Family) - Otatea acuminata ssp. aztecorum - MEXICAN WEEPING BAMBOO – 15F – Available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery - 0.75” – 15/20’ - Cascading fountain form - Long narrow leaves obscure much of the culm - Prefers drier areas, fairly drought tolerant, some regular moisture best. Otatea acuminata ssp. aztecorum - MEXICAN WEEPING BAMBOO (Photo from Pinterest) Otatea acuminata ssp. aztecorum - MEXICAN WEEPING BAMBOO (Photo from Dave's Garden) ---------- ROSACEAE (Rose Family) - Crataegus pinnatifida – CHINESE HAWTHORN (MOUNTAIN HAWTHORN, CHINESE HAW). Crataegus pinnatifida – CHINESE HAWTHORN (Photo from Greenleaf Nurseries)
RUTACEAE (Citrus Family) – Zanthozylum piperatum – JAPANESE PEPPER (SANSHO, JAPANESE SANSHO) – available from Seeds for Garden on Ebay, 20 seeds for $7. Zanthozylum piperatum – JAPANESE PEPPER Zanthozylum piperatum – JAPANESE PEPPER
---------- RUTACEAE (Citrus Family) – Zanthozylum simulans - SZECHUAN PEPPER (CHINESE PEPPER) - the seeds are a well-known spice. Zanthozylum simulans - SZECHUAN PEPPER (Photo from Pinterest)
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VITACEAE (Grape Family) – Cissus quadrangularis – WINGED TREEBINE – Young, acidic tasting shoots are used in curries – Medicinal for humans and livestock, fiber from stems and roots - Native to tropical Asia and Africa.
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ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Aframomum alboviolaceum – the leaves are used as a spice. ---------- ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Aframomum angustifolium – LONGOSA (MADAGASCAR CARDAMOM) - edible, acidic fruit pulp. ----------
ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Aframomum citratum – ETHIOPIAN CARDAMOM (KORARIMA, ATZOH) – Seed powder is added to coffee in Ethiopia and arils are edible. ----------
ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Aframomum melegueta – GRAINS OF PARADISE – seeds are a famous spice with a black pepper-like flavor, they are aromatic and pungent – seeds were used throughout medieval Europe - fragrant flowers. ----------
ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia aquatica – AQUATIC GINGER – the plant, flowers and rhizomes are used medicinally – grows in wet conditions. ---------- ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia argentea – SILVERY GINGER (what I have named it, after "agrgentea" which means "silvery"). Top Tropicals nursery near Fort Myers, Florida has this species listed with this photo below copyrighted to them. ----------
ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) – Alpinia blepharocalyx (synonym: A. roxburghii) – KHA KOM - “young inflorescences as food”. ----------
ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia calcarata– RASNA (Snap Ginger, Indian Ginger) (edible young shoots and leaves). ----------
ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia caroliniensis – IEUIEU (GIANT GINGER) – leaves used to line earth ovens and as plates – used medicinally in Yap, Micronesia. ----------
ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia conchigera– JOINT WHIP GINGER (KHA LING) (edible rhizomes as a food / spice, young shoots / young pseudostem, young inflorescences, and seeds.) ----------
ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia elegans – TAGBAK (Bagombon) – “fruit rind edible but a little woody”. ---------- ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia eremochlamys - Photo by Damien Hicks. ---------- ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia javanica - LENGKUAS HUTAN / LENGKUAS JAWA / JAVANESE ALPINIA - Native from Thailand to Malesia (It was first described from Java) - Available from Siam Mariposa. ---------- ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia kwangsiensis - CHANG BING SHAN JIANG (长柄山姜) - Native to southern China in "understory of primary evergreen forest." - UCONN. Alpinia kwangsiensis (photo by the Smithsonian Learning Lab).
Alpinia kwangsiensis ---------- ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia mutica - ---------- ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia mutica var. flava - This photo was posted by Chom Dong Villa Garden in Thailand to Facebook on November 22, 2013. Alpinia mutica var. flava in Thailand. ---------- ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia monopleura - Photos by Damien Hicks. ---------- ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Alpinia pahangensis monopleura - LENGKUAS HUTAN STALK-LEAVED ALPINA - "This is a mountain species." ---------- ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family) - Zingiber barbatum - MEIK-THALIN or MEIK-THA-KIN - Native to Myanmar - medicinal uses.
Alpinia conchigera – JOINT WHIP GINGER (edible rhizomes and seeds).
Alpinia globosa – CHINESE CARDAMON (ROUND CARDAMON)(edible seeds).
Alpinia malaccensis – GIANT PINK SHELL GINGER - available from Plant Group Hawaii, out of stock the last time that I checked.
Alpinia malaccensis – JANGAI, aka GIANT WHITE SHELL GINGER - edible rhizomes,young shoots, stems and fruits - available from Plant Group Hawaii, out of stock the last time that I checked.
Alpinia mutica – ORCHID GINGER (leaves for flavoring and pith of young stalks edible).
Alpinia nieuwenhuizii – TERABAK (edible tasty fruits and young shoots eaten as a vegetable).
Alpinia oxyphylla - medicinal.
Alpinia nigra – BLACK GALANGAL (KHAA YUAK, Thai name) (edible rhizome and inner stem).
Amomum compactum – ROUND CARDAMON (seeds are a widely used spice).
Apios americana - AMERICAN GROUNDNUT - named varieties for the south.
Araucaria angustifolia – PARANA PINE. I have two seedlings and am searching for fresh viable seeds.
Araucaria bidwillii - BUNYA NUT - I have two trees in the ground and three potted seedlings. In search of fruiting female trees anywhere across Florida. I have mapped out approximately fifty females so far and happily await their next fruiting year. Bunyas are one of my favorite edible plants and I hope to propagate many potted seedlings!
Bambusa arnhemica – ARNHEM LAND BAMBOO – Australia – Edible shoots - Made into didgeridoos - $30 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Bambusa chungii var. barbelatta - BARBIE BAMBOO - 1.5" x 25'. 21F. Bamboo, Po Mie Huang Zhu (Bambusa contracta) Zone 9A. From Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Bambusa eutuldoides "Viridi Vittata Inversa" - ASIAN LIME BAMBOO - 21F. Bambusa guangxiensis – CHINESE DWARF BAMBOO – 24-28F – 15-18’ -$25 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery,
Bambusa intermedia – MIAN ZHU – 40-45’ x 3-4” -27F (Josh Jamison of Lake Wales reported no damage at 27F) - $35 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Bambusa multiplex "Silverstripe Corkscrew" - 18F.
Bambusa multiplex “Tiny Fern” – “TINY FERN” HEDGE BAMBOO – 18F – The shortest clumping bamboo that I know of - 3’ x 1/8” - $30 from Tropical Bamboo Nursery (they only had 1 to 2 plants left the last time that I checked).
Bambusa textilis albostriata – 20-30’x 1” - 15F – White pin stripes - $35 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Bambusa sp. Longinternode – For flute-making –25’ - $25 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery. Bamboo, textilis Albo-Striata. 15F. From Tropical Bamboo. $35.
Bamboo, textilis GR Dwarf. From Tropical Bamboo Nursery. $30 for a 3 gallon pot. 15' tall with the gracilis form. Zone 8B.
Bamboo, Xiang Tu Zhu (Bambusa indigena or dissimilis) 18F, 3" x 40'. Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Bamboo, 20 more clumping species from Tropical bamboo Nursery, Loxahatchee, FL.
Borassus flabellifer – PALMYRA PALM – Research cold hardiness – “Palms of South Florida” by George Stevenson lists is for central Florida and writes,“The Palmyra Palm shares with the Coconut the honor of being among the most useful of trees to mankind. In its Indian homeland, it is a source of edible oil, of lumber, sugar, wine, and many other valuable products.”
Butia eriospatha – WOOLY JELLY PALM – edible fruits (wines, juices, jellies, jams) – damaged at 21F, may survive 7F when mature - Josh Jamison at HEART is growing a seedling - available from FrozenSeeds on Ebay sells them (check that they are a good source).
Butia species - Dave’s Garden states that “other Butia species have similar tasty fruits but are far less common in Cultivation.”
Calathea lutea – CUBAN CIGAR, aka LILLIAN'S CIGAR - leaves used to wrap tamales - available from Plant Group Hawaii for $7.99.
Calicarpa acuminaata - BLACK BEAUTYBERRY - From Woodlander's, SC.
Calicarpa pilosissima - TAIWAN BEAUTYBERRY - From Woodlander's, SC.
Camellia sinensis - TEA - especially named varieties proven in Florida.
Caragana macrophylla - Ola mentioned this more heat tolerant pea shrub.
Carya illinoinensis - PECAN, "CURTIS" - The “best for south Florida” in IFAS pdf study – “STUART” PECAN trees are shown in a grove averaging 50’ tall grown in Dundee in an old photo.
Carya illinoinensis - PECAN, "STUART".
Castanea mollissima - CHINESE CHESTNUT named varieties and natural hybrids.
Cheilocostus lacerus – (gorgeous showywhite flowers from deep red bracts).
Cheilocostus speciosus – “JAVAN PINK” CREPE GINGER – Richard OBrien grows it - he was out of stock the last time I visited his nursery.
Cinnamomum pedunculatum - JAPANESE CINNAMON aka TIAN ZHU GUI - leafy branchlets and bark for perfume - oil and fat of fruit kernel for soap - hard wood made into furniture, etc..
Colocasia esculenta - TARO - Named varieties such as Bun Long, Huli, Keiki, Lehua Maoli, Lehue Ele Ele Ula, Manini Owali, Maui Lehua, Moi, Pi'iali'i, Piko Kea,and Perter's Kai Kea.
Corylus species - Any hazelnuts/filbert species possibly suitable for central Florida growing.
Costus barbatus – I want more plants for a large planned bed.
Costus cuspidatus – FIERY COSTUS– shade – 2” bright orange flowers that look like crepe paper – grows in a clump – a good container plant – flowers continuously – zone 8 - available from Gingers of Texas.
Costus erythrophyllus – BLOOD RED SPIRAL GINGER – shade – 3-5’ – stunning foliage has dark maroon underside – blooms white/pink – dark stems - zone 9 - available from Gingers of Texas.
Costus erythrophyllus “Foster Gardens” – “FOSTER GARDENS” BLOOD RED SPIRAL GINGER – shade – 3’ – unidentified – blooms rich salmon-colored –zone 9 – dark maroon underside - available from Gingers of Texas.
Costus speciosus “Red” – RED-FLOWERED CREPE GINGER – red cones with white flowers – 6-9’ tall - shade to partial shade or full sun – summer bloomer - zone 8 - available from Gingers of Texas.
Costus spicatus – “TICO SUNRISE” SPIRAL GINGER – 6-7’ – gorgeous blooms - red-orange cone with flowers that are light orange with dark splashes – part sun to about 5 hours a day – named by David Skinner – zone 8 - available from Gingers of Texas.
Costus stenophyllus – SNAKE CANDY CANE GINGER.
Costus vargasii - "RASPBERRY YOGURT" - available from Plant Group Hawaii, out of stock the last time that I checked.
Costus “El Whiskey” – “EL WHISKEY” SPIRAL GINGER - gorgeous white, pink, and yellow flowers - Gingers R Us sells it.
Costus “Firebird” (C. ?osae x C.?comosus) – “FIREBIRD” SPIRAL GINGER (Gingers R Us sells it).
Costus (?a form of C. laevis) – “LEMON CHIFFON” SPIRAL GINGER - very beautiful soft lemon yellow flowers with a deep pink center appear from dark red bracts - Gingers R Us sells it.
Costus subsessilis – large bright yellow flowers – long bloom time through the summer - 1’ tall – fuzzy leaves - shade to partial shade – zone 8 - available from Gingers of Texas.
Costus – various species and varieties from Gingers R Us in Tallahassee, FL – David Skinner, one of the world's great Costus experts who lives and grows in the panhandle.
Crinum herbertii “CAIRO”- available from Bulbs N More Nursery, Middleburg, FL for $20.
Crinum Jagusscillafolia – vanilla scent - available from Bulbs N More Nursery, Middleburg, FL for $35.
Crinum “JAGUA RATTRAYII” CRINUM LILY – rare vanilla scent - available from Bulbs N More Nursery, Middleburg, FL for $75 (find a cheaper source).
Crinum “ROSEUM”– gorgeous blooms - available from Bulbs N More Nursery, Middleburg, FL for $30.
Curcuma aurantiaca – RAINBOW – partial shade – 36-42”– 10-12” x 4” diameter inflorescence – summer bloomer – good cut flower – zone 8- available from Gingers of Texas.
Cucurbita moschata – varieties with “naked seeds” for eating – Marabou Thomas mentioned that he wants it, it is rare.
Cydonia oblonga - QUINCE, "SMYRNA" - from Ison's Nursery,GA. $21.95.
Dendrocalamus bambusoides – ZEN GRAY BAMBOO - Hardy to 22F - $50(3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus brandisii – TEDDY BEAR BAMBOO – aka WABO, BULKA,MAU BONGYAI - Hardy to 22-32F – 60’ x 4”(Gaia Yoga in Hawaii lists it at 108’ x 8”) – Reports to 180’ are very questionable - Delicious edible shoots – Brownish “fur” on new shoots – A construction bamboo – or furniture making, etc. - $45 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus copelandii – PIG FAT BAMBOO aka Phai Man Mu -Edible shoots (cultivated commercially) – 75’ x 7-8” - $75 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus farinosus – Excellent edible shoots - Hardy to 22F - $65 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus giganteus – “QUAIL CLONE” GIANT BAMBOO - Hardy to USDA Zone 9B - Available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus giganteus variegatus – VARIEGATED GIANT BAMBOO – 30’ x 3” - “Occasional variegated leaves” – “Often produces tortoise-shell culms” - Hardy to USDA Zone 9B - $75 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus hamiltonii“ Red Shoot” – RED SHOOT BAMBOO aka PHAI HOK, TAMA,KAKO, GIANT BAMBOO, TUFTED BAMBOO – Edible shoots - 80-100’ x 3” – Leaves to 14” long – “Highly valued for woodworking and furniture making” - Hardy to 25-27F (USDA Zone 9B) - $45 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus latiflorus – TAIWAN GIANT BAMBOO aka SWEET BAMBOO – Outstanding edible shoots – Hardy to 27F – 60-80’ x 4-8” – Culm walls may be over an inch thick - Leaves to 16” x 4” - $45 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus sikkimensis – PHILIPPINE SWEET BAMBOO, aka PUGRIANG – Excellent edible shoots (“A favorite edible shoot in the Philippines) - Hardy to USDA zone 9B –50-60’ x 4-8” - $250 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus sinicus aequotus – STRAIGHT DRAGON BAMBOO - Edible shoots -Hardy to 21F (USDA zone 9B) – Possibly the largest bamboo in the world –Unconfirmed to 151’ x 14.5” - $250 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus xishuangbannaensis – XISHUANGBANNA BAMBOO – Edible shoots - A construction bamboo - Hardy to 21F (USDA zone 9B) – Very tall – Unconfirmed to150’ - $150 (3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dendrocalamus yunnanicus – CHINESE SWEET SHOOT BAMBOO – Excellent edible shoots – Timber bamboo – Hardy to 30F (USDA zone 9B) – 60-80’ x 5-7” - $45(3 ga.) from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Dimerocostus strobilaceas - available from Plant Group Hawaii, the yellow-flowered form was out of stock the last time that I checked, the white-flowered form was available
Dioscorea cordata - "There is archaeological evidence to suggest that this species may have been an important food plant in Puerto Rico asearly as 6000 B.C. (Pagán Jiménez 2011)." - "As for Dioscoreacordata, it showed great promise during tasting tests carried out by apanel of consumers from Guadeloupe, and its domestication is apossibility." - international.inrc.fr
Dioscorea pentaphylla - FIVELEAF YAM - there is supposedly a variety with edible aerial tubers.
Dioscorea trifida (morado) – PURPLE MAPUEY. Purple varieties are reported from Venezuela and restaurants serve them there.
Diospyros kaki - ORIENTAL PERSIMMON, "CHOCOLATE CAKE".
Diospyros kaki - ORIENTAL PERSIMMON, "EUREKA".
Diospyros kaki - ORIENTAL PERSIMMON, "IZU" - Edible Landscaping in Afton, VA might have it.
Diospyros kaki - ORIENTAL PERSIMMON, "WEEPING". Our weeping persimmon got toppled during a hurricane. I already have 13 named heirloom varieties of Asian Persimmon.
Eucalyptus globbus – BLUEGUM –perennial - zones 9-10 - famous essential oil – medicinal – used in perfumes - available from Richter’s: plant $4.50 or seeds $3.25.
Eucalyptus radiata – PEPPERMINT EUCALYPTUS – available from Richter’s.
Gleditsia triacanthos – HONEY LOCUST - Marabou Thomas said it was recommended in Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture as a better option for humid climate zones.
Hedychium “Kai Yang” – “KAI YANG” BUTTERFLY GINGER (coconut-scented flowers, 5-6’, part sun, late summer bloomer, cream colored flowers) (Gingers of Texas, $7.95 – closed currently).
Hedychium “Kewense” – fragrant flowers.
Hedychium “Pradhanii” – fragrant flowers.
Hedychium “Tropic Bird” – TROPIC BIRD BUTTERFLY GINGER - strong, spicy clove-like fragrance - Gingers R Us – sold out as of June 9, 2018.
Hedychium “Yellow Kahili” – fragrant flowers.
Holmskioidia tettensis - CHINESE HAT, PINK - available from Caldwell Nursery, Rosenberg, TEX for $15 (they do not ship).
Hovenia dulcis - JAPANESE RAISIN TREE - I tried it once but it died in a drought, I would like to try growing one again.
Jubaea chilensis - CHILEAN WINE PALM – aka HONEY PALM, COKERNUT, PYGMY COCONUT or COQUITO PALM – 20F - USDA Zones 9A – 10A – 2”edible fruits “bland” and the seed is the better edible part – “The taste is somewhat like a miniature coconut.” – The harvested sap, which kills the beautiful palm, is made into wine. – Palms of South Florida state that it only does well in north Florida.
Lagenarina siceraria ssp. siceraria (and the Eurasian L. siceraria ssp. Asiatica) – BOTTLE GOURD -the species of African and European Bottle Gourds found at Florida prehistoric sites.
Leptospermum scoparium – MANUKA.
Lycium ruthenicum.
Olea europaea – “MISSION” OLIVE.
Olea europaea - more heirloom varieties that I do not have yet. I currently grow . named varieties.
Prunus avium - SWEET CHERRY - other low-chill varieties worth trying in central Florida (?Chean, Crisbalina, Lapins, Na-1, Precoce de Bernard, Sunburst, Temprano de Sot, etc.).
Prunus campanulata - TAIWAN CHERRY - It was being sold by Chestnut Hill Nursery in Alachua - "Of the many species of flowering cherry trees, the Taiwan cherry is the most heat-tolerant, and is planted throughout the deep south, in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7B-9A." - IFAS.
Quercus insignis - ENCINO BORINO - The second largest acornin the world - Eric Toensmeier has made YouTube videos about this amazing foodforest staple food - I would be delighted to obtain fresh viable seeds from its native mexico or from any growers.
Renealmia aromatica - BIJAO - "The fruit pulp is used for flavoringstews. Inland Cuna use it regularly as a foodstuff. The leaves are applied toreduce inflammation. The aromatic leaves are used by Choco Indians as an underarmdeodorant."
Ricinodendron rautanenii, Euphobiaceae - MONGONGO - IT "is a nut-producing, wild tree from the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. It is highly nutritious and tasty nut but the yields are very low." (NewCrops - Israel) Check if it might grow in Florida.
Rhus chinensis - CHINESE SUMAC aka WU BEI ZI.
Rhus coriaria - SICILIAN SUMAC - "This is the speciesgrown as a spice from Spain to Turkey and beyond. - available from Forest Farm - temporarilyout of stock.
Sassafras tzumu - CHINESE SASSAFRAS aka CHA MU.
Tilia americana var. caroliniana - CAROLINA BASSWOOD - a Florida native that grows wild south to Lakeland, FL. Edible.
Vasconcella pubescens - MOUNTAIN PAPAYA - mentioned by Timothy Lane as being cold hardy.
Washingtonia filifera – CALIFORNIA FAN PALM – CRFG states that “they are hardy to 18F (USDA Zones 8-11).” Aka Desert Fan Palm or Petticoat Pal. “The berry-like, small fruits are brownish-black and have a thin, sweet pulp that tastes somewhat like dates or butterscotch.”
Zea mays var. indentata- any Florida Dent Corn varieties.
Zingiber capitatum - beautiful, pale yellow flowers that appear terminally.
Zingiber chrysostachys (edible rhizomes are eaten as a spice).
Zingiber citriodorum (rhizomes exude a lemon scent when broken).
Zingiber diwakarium (an Indian ginger with tall beautiful flowers).
Zingiber incomptum (beautiful basal dark red inflorescences with yellow flowers).
Zingiber junceum - edible inflorescences.
Zingiber mekongense (edible young fruits).
Zingiber neglectum - “JEWEL PAGODA” – available from Plant Group Hawaii, out of stock the last time that I checked - also from kauairix on Ebay.
Zingiber newmanii - "RED FROGS" - unusual ground-creeping red inflorescences - available from Plant Group Hawaii, out of stock the last time that I checked.
Zingiber niveum (a wildly beautiful shampoo ginger with pure white inflorescences and yellow flowers).
Zingiber officinale - “YELLOWFIN” JAPANESE YELLOW GINGER - formerly grown by East Branch Gingers of North Carolina.
Zingiber officinale - “MACKEREL” YELLOW GINGER- (formerly grown by East Branch Gingers of North Carolina).
iZngiber officinale - “MADONNA” GINGER - a variety sold by Hawaiian Organic Ginger.
Zingiber officinale - “RAINBOW RUNNER” GINGER - white ginger - a high-yielding white ginger. (formerly grown by East Branch Gingers of North Carolina).
Zingiber officinale - “RUHI” GINGER – (mentioned by East Branch Gingers of North Carolina).
Zingiber rubens – BENGAL GINGER - (edible seedpods and flowers, sold by Arvice30 on Etsy).
Zingiber sadakornii (edible young inflorescences).
Zingiber spectabile - "GOLDEN SCEPTER" BEEHIVE GINGER - available from Plant Group Hawaii, it was out of stock the last time that I checked.
Zingiber spectabile - "JUNGLE DRUM" BEEHIVE GINGER - available from Plant Group Hawaii, it was out of stock the last time that I checked.
Zingiber spectabile – LIGHT PINK-FLOWERED FORM. Zingiber spectabile - "SINGAPORE GOLD" BEEHIVE GINGER - available from Plant Group Hawaii, it was out of stock the last time that I checked. Zingiber spectabile - “YELLOW SCEPTER” BEEHIVE GINGER (kauairix on Ebay) $12.00 + $8.45. Zingiber wrayii (crushed leaves exude a licorice scent). Zingiber zerumbet - “CHOCOLATE” SHAMPOO GINGER -(kauairix on Ebay) $14.00 + $8.45. Costus dubius Winnstripe - Tom Winn's selection. $18 Hedychium "Enrei" $10 Hedychium "Shin-Sei" ---------- TOM WOOD'S NURSERY - GINGERS GALORE - (Archer, Florida - after May 1st, 2019, you have to visit his nursery to pick up plants) From him, after going through his latest pdf May 5, 2019, I might want: Alpinia calcarata. Alpinia pumila. Alpinia japonica. Bosenbergia logiflora. Costus erythrophyllus. Costus scaber - Orange flowered form. Costus "Manhattan". Curcuma cochinchinensis. Curcuma harmandii - GREEN BRUSH. Curcuma myanmarensis - MYANMAR PINK. Curcuma supraneeana - WHITE PUFF. Curcuma yunnanensis - YUNNAN PLUME. Gagnepainia thorelii - GREEN GHOST. Zingiber corallinum - RED SPEAR GINGER. Zingiber rubens - BENGAL GINGER. ---------- I want to check through this online rare seed catalog and add plants to my list here. (rareexoticseeds.com). ---------- HAPPY PLANT HUNTING!!!
