Oregon

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING NEW?

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hinkmg of getting a jump on a market or creating a new one? Perhaps an underexploited crop with the profile for high petential? Want to develop an urban plot into a sustainahle food-producing sanctuary? Wander through the catalog. With an eye for adventure you might dig up something as truly unique as it is useful. New kiwis. figs, persimmons, jujubes, and pawpaw almost seem common now. How about 50% Protein TARWI, the edible lupine on page 12; or, steroid-rich MACA From the glaciers of Peru - (see page 9) this new frost proof plant flowered beautifully for the first time this summer: lik butterscotch flavored roots and aptitude for punishment are raising eyebrows in the scientific community. And, speaking of punishment. This season marks our seventh year working with China's rebel botanist Johnny Shaw. From lazy coco palms at Xishuangbanna, to the rarefied blue Tibetan sky; we've now sponsored our fifth collection trip with him in that enigmatic, someiimes difficult country. Powerful new herbs and fruits sweeter [han cheny pie mark our oflerings from China this year. Each April and October, Mr. Shaw and I invite you to return with us on a plant study excursion deep into China's heartland (lake a peep at page 25 for details). Likewise, our Himalayan consultants Laptka Serpa and Bhola Banstola invite you to Nepal for the ride of your life as we traverse the fabled mountainous Kingdom, From wild rhododendron foresu at the Tibetan border to rhino infested swamps; we'll visit top researchers. botanical reserves and tinieless agricultural communities as rich botanically as they are rich in tradition. Our freauent forays through that mystic land and endoring friendhips with the gentle people of Nepal are cenain to garner riches of the spiritual kind,

(prayer Hags, monks and Mount Everest waving bye-bye from the rear window?), you can sample Himalayan magic right here in your annchair. Meander pages 30 through 35 t- see what's new from the Himalayas. Oh' Zanzihar, Seychelles, the Malay peninsula and all the way up thi enchanted Irrawaddy river, making good friends from new plantsour labor of love. See the lovely Burmese queen who graces page 41 This year we read Kerouac, Orwell, and followed Rudyard Kipling on "The road to Mandalay"...and even further - deep into Burma's North; an audience with peace-prue winning Aung San Suu Kyi thi president of Burma and the sight of the five thousand shimmering ruins on the plains of Pagan has given a golden glint to a busy year. Ten thousand "thanks to you" - our customers. Your enthusiastic letter writing campaigns and eclectic quests for new plants have surpassed any dream I ever had of keeping up with the mail. Your patience through our continuous growing pains is the kindest mer? You've told me a computer is the answer to keep pace, and if it is, then our very fint computer this season, should prove to be a good investment, Another good investment has been the continuing work of our south American contingent; Mila Lazo of Peru. Esmeralda Cazar in Ecuador, and Eloy Vargus wandering wild in the jungles. Following their intrepid steps thror h the Andes has opened the ncas "Secret Cache" of botanical jewels. We can all CATCH up with that trio in the mysterious Andes. Vagabonding through Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador in our own transport van - together we drop down heyond roads on a chanered flighi into the pocket of the streaming Amazon jungk for some unforgettable plant t-ramping. And speaking of tramps...are you havingas much fun as l am? . a r e your doing what you love? Spring ,summer, wintcr or fall. the sarden is waiting. Leck take som

"The sweeter cultivars (of Oca) taste like the Star trut o stunnmg, hut so 11ttleknown, Ocas are the second most important rootcrop for millions of traditional highlanders, yet SIIII remain virtually unknown out side of the Andes mountams From Venezuela thence soutli hy 5,000 mi. to Argentina- Ocas are a siaple wliicli now inhabit the widtli and breath of the highlands, One of the 21% centuries most promising new crops, researchers feel Ocas will be suitable for areas of the Himalaya. northern China, Africa and Central America. Conimercially growing and marketing the crop in New Zealand, Japan & Europe has been successful. Indeed, yields from our test plots in Northern California and Oregon have been as high as l Ib, per square foot! We have introduced tlirough quaranune more than a dozen vaneties which are especially sweet and niay be eaten raw or cooked Others are shehtlv - . acid and retain a vleasantlv mild flavor even after cooking, Some acid types have been referred to hy researchers as " potatoes iliat don? iieed sour cream." High in the Altiplano sonie varieties double their sugar content when set in the sun for a few days. The flavor of these inay be likened to dried apples, pears or other fruits. In appearance they rcsemble stuhby carrots or long tapered potatoes hut come with a shinny wax coating and variety of eye caiching, pinks, reds, stripped, white, yellow and purpie. Ocas are cukured like potaioes, mounding the sterns to encourage tuber development. They thrive in cool climates and the tubers regenerate new growth readily if late frost is a problem. Even under harsh conditions, yields are often double than that of potatoes planted in the sanie field. Ocas thrive at altitudes too high for most other crops and yield well in poor soils. A light rich soil witk a ph hetween 5.3 an 7.8 is favored. •ube hegin development in late summer as daylight hours drop below 12 hours per day. A long fall season is importani for best tuber production. Soine researchers feel cool days are more important to tuber fornia~ionthai1 are the daylight hours. In the Andes they are grown at 7,000 to 14,000 feet and ripen b o ~ n t i ful crops after 6-9 months. In New Zealand at sea level they arc grown commercially at latitudes as far north as 40.13 and 46.24, Conimercial production in Peru and New Zealand average between 7-10 tons per hectare with experimental government plots in Peru yielding as much as 40 ton per hectare.

Ocas miy be stored for several months even witliouifl tion. Tliey easily over winter in the simple adohc cell4 in the Andes. Some portion of each harvest is often lai freeze dry by exposing tliem to frosty niglits and brig! day The process is aided by steppmg on the tliawingl squeeze water fron) theni, The [inislied dried produci, chuno" lasts for years, Rich in niitritioii, Ocas area t native to other starchy crops like carrots, corii and p# Nothing will stop the eventual advancement of thesei owards Nor111 America, Already they have set thernse here inherent soud qualities, on the long path<;ol kets. We are werking with various varieties: whne, ra yellow andoranje. OLA (BWSSlfiW) 2 White Oca #l001 $18, 2 Red Oi $18. 2 Blush Oca #l003 $18, 2 Yellow Oca #l004 $18

Ow Ocai usfeu[ured in Flower & Garden ~~iagii~itie; blust yt'llow fy rc'd Oca.

gnanimous gourmet

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ncas and pre-Colombiano mdlocos have potential 10 reach world wide status as a premier staplc tliat might someday be tound in evtry superifiarket. Deiicious, beautilul, productive and easy to handle. the smooth Horescent cnlon-d tubers appca! to just about every une who seej and sainples them Visually, they are like sinn-

and eariier cultures who developed these extra fine selectionsspreading ihere eiiipiri's and taking Mellocns with the111 Mellococs thnve in the cold akiplano alonfi side potanies, ocas, niashm aiul

in fact related to nialahar spinach, (Basella rubra), The k'iives are of fine quality and used similarly in salads or as a vegevahlt.-,containing 12% prok.^ dry The tuhers m a g o d sourcc d carbohydrates, containing I i percent stardies and sugars with 1-2 % protein. Very high vitamin c content, 23 mg, per 100 "resh weighd, And Justly, niellocos have a remarkable shelf Iife - storing easily for 9-16 iimnths if kept cool.

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In the Andes the pianis are of simple culi~ire,are [rost resistant and yield we11 under a variety of cultural and soil conditions. The plant are moderatdy druught tnlerani, hut yields are especially hieh in nioist conditinns They have shown \t[& iidaptation when grown outsicle of the Ancles, producingiin far flung pi-iices such as Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Nepal. Finland and England, In north America the plants have been grnwit as far north as coast.il C:anada.

conditions. We have ~~~~~~~~~~~~d many disease h varicLies

olors, outstanding ilavor. $18

Peru alone. a couniry o1 22 million people, is now reported tn have an annual pr,idu~tionof niore [han 60,000 tons per year, In ni.tny areas Mellocos ars- the lourth most important crop nutranked w• by com, potatoes, and ocas, Mellixo;. are now grown nn almoss every availahle highland plot. Lses for Mellocn are as nuinerous and varied ds she potaio, and niore, Indeed, Mellocos are ~ f t e nprefcrred over potatocs in many cases Silky in texturc, fine grained, Mellocos keep a sweet crispy lexture when fried or boiled. The flesh is white 1.0 lemon yellow and iimy be smooth and silky, ur crisp and nutiy dcpcnding on the preparation, 11 is easy to cumpared them to oiher root crops, hecause of the variety el uses, however Mellocos arc unique untn themselves, and offer an extremely valuahle alternaiive tn coni-

and c o m r n ~ i da higher price. $18 P'ata de Monie Silver white rose - media m silver white tubers with an occasionai pink polka doâ€snwoth shiny, round and uniform cvmmercial quaiity- $18

Yeilow Jewels (Oro de mui~te)A soft pa$te1 yellow fruit of very high quality nice form, size and uniformity S18

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MELLOCO (BRISSI) $18 each Como verdc de monte #1045,Pica de Puka #M, Shrimp of the earth M047,? de monie Ç1048Yellow jewels "04 81 108 (One of each $60)

f vou knuw your flowers you inay already he farniliar with nasturand ns p,Iortotis splays of yellows, reds and orana; is fameiis around ilte world. "!bo, the Incas loved them and side by side with common nastiiniun~stliey sowed the lovely perenilial cousil,, ~ ~a near twin ~ bu[h i)ne who ~ dops ~double ,
Masliua is a perennial and lias alwavs been highly rcgardeil, The intriguing little knuwn tuher? it pnxluces have been itsed since anticjuity hoth medicinally and as a main economic foodjust like Ÿca h4elloco and Potatoes. Together the four mot crops were traditionally g o w n in the sante piut and Iilied out the tarder of the ancient Anclean peoples just as thev do today Mashuas tubers, which have always con~manciedton dollar as a medicinal. still hring high prices whcn found out of season, Trailitiondly the? are an Indian crop. cnjoycd !or their strong characteristic flavor, and remain virtually unknown tiutside of the andem lii~hlands.Even

where the? originate, they are largely unknown to most of the no Indians of the region. For this reason in some areas the species is rapidly disappearing from the markets

Mashua plants are vigorous, resistant to frosis and resist pest witl built in hug re~ellents.They are hyPer productive u d e r the cool summer conditiolis, enjoying the mist and rain all summer from Colombia to Argentina. thev thrive in the Andean Cordella beiwf 7.000 and 12,000 leet ~ h e b l a n t spreform well on neglected and pdor soils - even neglected plots have yields (hat range from 20 30 lons per acre. A whopping 50 ton per hectare reported from g ernn~entaltrials near Cuzco Peru And Peru alone, is reported to have under production more (han 4,000 hectare cach season. T ~ tubers u d l keep well for a few months when kept cool and dark. hut are better left in the ground to overwinter and may be harves a any time. Tubers are boiled, eaten in stews, baked or fried. flav s may be spicy peppen', like daikun radish when raw or. after cooking, tliey may be mild and even somciimes sweeter !han car rots. Sonie are covered in syrup and eaten as sweeis while other tubers find tliere way into the florist trade or used by apothecaric

POTENT MEDICINAL VEGETABLE FROM THE GLACIAL RIDGES OF THE ANDES!

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nteisesun, fierce winds and rock splitting cold designate northern Peru near lake juni11 as some of the worst farmland on earth! There, iraditioiial Maca fields are so rugged and isolated rhat maca remained hicklen away. on the edge of extinction for centuries. we'%returncd to Peru recently to bring in new strains o1 this remarkable duel purpose hotanical delicacy which is sometimes allcdPERUVlAN GINSENG hl 1982 the internatinnal board for the protection of genetic resolirces classified inaca as a crop in danger of extincrion. But at one time hundrecls of acres could be found, much of it on hand terrad slopes. It issaid thai when Spanish colonized south America they demanded ayearlvpaymcnt of potent maca roots as paynlent to the Kings of Spain. Tons of the little tubers were surrendered to the new royalty, hm linie if any were actually planted outside the highlands.

While Maca inay be one of the earth's kast known crops, it has been cultivated since antiquity. Primitive forms have been iound in archaeological sites datingas far hack as 1600 b.c, n the past, Maca and other Andean iubers were honored by the Inca in ceremonies. Maca, oca, mashua, and Mellocos were considered to be daughters of pachan~ama,mother earth. n<-. Maca lived close to the earth%s did the Inca, pressed flat on the barren altiplano like a woven mat, wedged in crevasses and huddled near the thin rocky soit. A fickle climate where frost mas wcur at any month of the year!

Academy of Sciences, 1989

Remarkahly, maca grows we11 in Oregon where summer temperature can reach 107 degrees and temperatures in the hundreds are common in summer, Here, Maca thrives like the hest of the vegetables: putting out dainty rosettes of white chamomile like flowers for inor? than three months and setting seed like a native. Maca has heen rektively immune to our harshest weather; resisting drought , late frost, wet soil, and even our hottest and coldest seasons on record, I f cavemen found tuherous vegetables while crossing the polar ice caps, most likely ie would have been a stuhhorn little tuber like niiica To the Andean Indians Maca was an invaluable asset, traded for lmvland grains a corn and other staples. The root resemhles sinall pears. They are baked in underground pits called Pachamanca. Chicha, a home made beer, is spillecl over the tubers as they go into the Pachamanca. along with many prayers Later the sweet butterscotch rich nuegets are lifted from ihe pits, a tielicacy. When boiled with water they make a sweet beverage like mot beer, .Eau-n fresh, maca can be so rich and sweet that jam and buttcrscotch type gruel are made, Dried, the roots contain up to 15% proteins and are flush with lodine tron and brain powering essential amino acicis Mans companies are now working on this plant for its proposed medicinal, health enhancing properties For more details about Maca see "A Little History" on page 10, MACA (BRJSSVFW) 9 White Maca K1050 $18,Hesperada Maca Kl051 $18,Purple Maca U1052 S18, Yellow Maca #l053 $18,Black Medicinal Maca #l054 $30,(25% discount when you buy 5 or m o r d

ANANA-LIKE HERB FOR YOUR EDIBLE LANDSCAPE! m1 hardy for almost all regions of the USA!, this giant banana-

ciae herb for the cdihle landscape is one of the most impressive new selections we've brought in from the Andes mountains!

PURPLE STALKS and lush tropical looking banana-like eawsreach eight 10 ten feet by late summer. topped with a !wo foot spireafearthy red or orange canna flowers. The sialks and the wide leaveare splashed with purple and reds from the ground to the crown

MANY FORMS OF ORNAMENTAL CANNAS are grown world wide. Their ease of culture, adaptability and exquisite beauty have already made them famous. We're pleased to offers Esmeraldas" Canna Achira to the USA for the first time, Canna Achira is the only species with huge underground tubers designed to be eaten. Developed hy the lnca over eons this is a premier food already enjoyed by thousands in the Andes where it is considered an essential part of the food supply In fact,Cooked Tubers of this ancient edible have been found in Pemvian tombs dating hack to 2500 BC.

NOW/ ACHIRA has become so important as to attract the anention of scientists from around the world - studying ils high quality starch, and its productivity - especially in marginal soils, or soegy damp plots where other tubers can not usually be proijuced , IT I S A N EXTREMELY VIGOROUS/ reliableand productive food plant , As prime farmlands are lost -plants such as esmeraldas achira will fil! the need for crops which can p o w on poor marginal lands - already it is grown as a back up crop tilling out the food supply when other common crops fail In Australia mechanica! harvesters have been designed solely for production of ihis crop. In the andes, Yields can reach 10 tons per acre in only four months, where the season is longer 40 tons per acres can be reached, In Oregon the plant lakes temperatures up to 107 degrees, without wilting. Light frost and snows are common in the native andes where it grows, in Oregon they grow well until hard frosts curl the leaves and concentrate the starch into the rhizomes. They can then be left in the ground and harvested at any time of the year.When temperatures reach 50' F again in spring they begin growth.

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THE HUGE UNDERGROUND rhizomes cormes sometinies reach two feet. colored in reds pink and pnrple, they are an exc'eptional source of rich carbohydrates & potassium and contain up to 14% sugars. The tubers are eaten raw or more usually cooked like potatoes when the flesh becomes transclucent and sweet. To make starchy pasta from the roots, they are first peeled. dried and then ground unto flower In some places crackers and salty potato like chips are madeThe leaves and the stalk contain 10%protein, they are eaten as green vegeuhle , The seeds are eaten like beans and rolied into corn flower tortillas. ESMERALDA'S ACHIM #l035 (BRISSWW) New Division $26, #l236 2 yr (BWSS3fiW) $36, #l437 (BWSS3IFW) 8 plants for $99 (Robus1 plants with no insects or disease problems noted in Oregon)

Mila 1.azo with mi EARLY SPRING clump of "Acliira" at Oicgon kotics Nur'ifrv

(POLYMNIA SONCHIFOLIA 'JACON) arely seen outside of the Andes mountains, yacon (Ya-Kon), has only recently made ns way to the backyards of adventurous S gardeners Yacon is now grown commercial in New R Zealand and has for many decades been grown in a small way in Europe and southeast Asta U

Yacon is a compact perennial which produces huge underground tubers in m a s , weighmg up t 5 nnunds The iubers are crisn and , iuicv, and are often so succulent and sweet that some researchers have likened them to apples or watermelon m flavor Usually they are eaten raw, ou of hand or mixed with salads In the andes the tubers are somettmes juiced for a sweet sugar cane like drink This juice is often concentrated further into a dark-hrown sugar

Yacon has been given some attention by researchers because the large amount of sugars present mainly in the form of inulin (20%), which is a fructose polymer the body does not metabolize. When dried, Solids in yacon contain 60-70 % of this inulin, Yacon tubers therefore make an id1 sweet food with almost no calories. Botanically Yacon IS a distant relative to both sunflowers and lerusalem artichokes Yacon resen bies those plants in some mys, hut has a more compact stockier structure with very iarge, widi velveiy leaves, The young stalk, like celery, is often used as a cooked vegetable and has apprecia topped hy a crown oi yellow claisylike llowers in the fall. Sensitive to frost, Yacon will regenera tected from extremely hard freezes by mulching. Otherwise the plants may be lifted, the tubers har spring like hulhs. They like a five to six month growing season, Yacon grows easily in a wide range of climates and soils conditions- from sea Icvel to 11,000 Fee YACON #l047 ($18) (BR/SS2/FW), X1147Y (5 for $60), U1247 ( 2 yr. $36)

$pi? of palt blue. wliite. P U + ~ and ye11ow flowe= a* @aranteed w ~ h i nweeks of planting, .This sturdx tall-growing lupin from the Andes was domesticated for its prime food more [han 15,000years ago. In Oregon. Tarwi lakes off in early spring and stans producing exquisite snap dragon like flowers within weeks they conlinue for months - followcd by a long pod of edihle white beans which can grow large as lima beans.

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The seeds are fony :o fifty percent protein, with an of1content of20 % ; rich in unsaturated fatty acids including essential lonoliec acid. While Tarwi is husysunning it sel~al>ove ground, the root is busy putting nitrogen in your soil - as niucli a5 much as 300 pounds per

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acre. In the Andes the crop is rotated with potatoes lo keep ihe field fertilr and ,he yiel& ocboth pane high iiatural a l k a l o i ~ are said to and in%ct

Tarwi is frost tolerant but needs a minimum of five months before some of the pods may be ready to harvest - they continue ripening for anther tour months, so your season should be accommodating, After the bone white seeds are collected they are soakecl and washec in water for more than [wo days - this is to relieve them of any hin a,kaloidsl and Rnder the beans swee pmFni es (theycontain Soups, stews, or roasted and salted like peanuts are the usual result, for the ban schml in regions of soutli findine them on the school menu In Peru a rich Tarwi milk and de clous tapioca like pudding are hecoming popular. Farina and Tarwi flour for incredibly high protein hread is being made, Tliis nutritiou Today govemmenis in countries such as Gennany, Russia England, and Chile have begun Tarwi research

FROST RESISTANT HIGHLAND PAPAYA hen you think of Chamburros think of cool mists, sweeping Andean terrain where grey clouds paint trails of drizzle across the scrubhy highlands. Think of the linle highlander -Chamburro papaya- dripping wet in a cioak of cold dew, and loving it. The starry nights, earths wannth radiating untended into a vacuum of clear black sky, like an open lid that Iets startling cool temperaiures- so close to the equator - pour through and fall to

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Think of her landscape at 12,000 fl.,- A sodden grasslands where the climate varies little; wet and cool, dry and cool, a month or two of mid sixties, then seventies for a summer, and aeain the mists. For months the breezes return, idling down the back bone of the andes from Colombia to Argentina. Think of linle Chamburro thriving at 12,000 feet and highr . The homelatid of this hardy little known species is not dissimilar t0 the San Francisco mountains in the winter where frost is rare and snow even less common, but definitely part of a natural cycle when it occurs and not daunting to the hardiest of the species. She blinks at cool weather, sprouts a leaf, then ripas another golden gem.

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&$nating thousands of feet higher than common carica species- even babacopaoaya falls short by thousands of feet. Chamhurro waits for the rains, %^i&, mists, the seeping mulls of purple sky, invigorating. For that is the season Chamburro sprouts lovely and pushes from her great crown, lush boughs andswaying tninks laced with clusters of succulent frnits.

THE ONLY SPECIES OF PAPAYA NATIVE TO THE C001 HiGHLANDf Popular as a backyard fruit, Chamburros are cultivated fromVenezuela to Argentina. Some specimens we collected as high as 3500 meters may endure 25' F Theke, the tree hears young and continue for more (han 20 years. Instead of heing hollow like most papayas, the seedcavity of the fruit is filled with creamy white pulp which is the best part to eat fresh, The flavor is peachy- lime and papaya, and highty scented with a very appealing fragrance. Aside from the creamy center, the ineat cham am burr os - a thick melon like section- is mhust orange and has a very firm chewy texture with a flavor similar to BABACO papaya(acommercial variety which has very low sugars and a hint of lemon). The flesh is often baked, first filled with vegetables, meats or other frnits, They are often juiced, used in ice cream, pies or made into jellies and candies.

The tree, (actualiya giant herb), grows vigorously to 15 feet, but can easily be kept to 5 or 6 feet. Botanists recognize this species as resistant 10 diseases considered disastrous in commonpapayas, In the hands of the geneticist, Chamburros offer fresh prospects to extend the range of common papaya and eliminate pests problems. In the hands of the sawy orchardist - Chamhurros stir dreamy images of great inland orchards hearing crops of the exotic high-

CHAMBURRO (BRISS2RW) * OG014 $18, jumbo size #G314 $38

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places in large quantities, Especially important are. ..

ACHOCHA GRANDE (Cyclanthera pendata). its large V to 8" horn shaped fruits are light lime-green with darker green veins overlaying it from tip to tip. Usually hollow, they are often prepared hy filing the interior t0 be haked with vegetables mince meats, nuts - having an artichoke like Oavor, They may be cut and stir fried, or when young, eaten raw when they have a cucumher A
village people have been selecting and developing food plants tor millennia; from the Puna to the desert, selecting location and variety according to the seasons and the weather. Throughout history each species in each place has developed cliinanc rcsistancc. the epitlcrinis foliar . from the skin to the soul of the ulants and that is why they survive. ~ k a u s all e of the cumponents of crops are important, including the funcuon of man, this is why we survive." - Prof. Fernando Barrantes

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Profes\or Fernando Barrantes program of Investipationfor Crops of ihe Andes, Peru

e see farmers as the real scientists, researchmg and tending hundreds of varieties like guardians of nature.'' -Maxima Aedo "Biomax Peru"

THE MOST COLD TOLERANT COMMERCIALLY GROWN PEPPER. ocotosgmw at higher elevations than any other species of commercially grown Chile. Vinually tinknown out side of the Andes, these medium-mild mountain peppers are a perennial species thai R nrefermistycool attitudes and mild summer areas. While they do not handie severe freezes, neither will

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ihcygrowin the warm tropical clin~ates.Only in the cool and mild regions will the plants attain the hei~htof a small shrub and live for more than ten years. Spectacular when covered in its display of applcsued, red. yellow, bmwn or green fruits Prized by the INCAS, we have selected five varieties which are still commercially gmwn by their anceston The frnits are thick fleshed, come in a bariety of shapes, and may range in flavor from mildly spicy -medium hot to pleasantly pungent. For a milder- sweet flavor, remove the heat producing seedcore. Thejuicy flesh is crisp and has a characteristic flavor, It is especially savory when stuffed with potatoes andcheese, rice or a mixture of other fillings. Diced fresh, uses vary as wildly as common sweet or hot peppers salsa, sauces, soups, on and on

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TREâ CHILE * (seed pack of 5 mixed varieties) #H082 $10,2-yr old TREE CHILE PLANTS #H083 $10 (BRiSS2EW)

We weresa inipressed hy Zambo Grande - ils fine quality makes possible to store the fresh fniits in open air for up to two years! They there staying fresh and getting sweeter and improving in flavor. In [act ZAMBO GRANDE IS THE ON1.Y ANDEAN PERENNIit

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ALamongcommercially cultivated cucurbacea( watermelon 1 squash faniily). Long term storage is the rule and tlicy have thus found a permaient place in the diet of millions of highlanders from Mexico to Bolivia.

The outer nnd of ZAMBO GRANDE looks very mnch like a watermelon and is equal in size - however, the outer rind. which is 114 inch thick, maybe cracked open and peeled away like an egg shell, leaving a hugc white core with a variety of uses. Nutritious and delicious, ZAMBO W N D E is the only true squash with black seeds the seeds are large, rich and savory What's more, the seeds lie m tour strands where the Imii sections apart. This structure makes collecting the protein rich pepitas an ease and offers commercial possibilities to market •h as are common pumpkin seeds found in health food stores. The seeds are extremely rich in the same beneficia! oleic acids as found in olive oils,

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Utilize the white flesh of ZAMBO GRANDE in anyway as is common winter or summer squashes. Better yet. Boil them and use in place of potatoes in soups or use baked in bread, sweet deseris, puddinq and cinnamon preserves.

ZAMBO GRANDE is a cool season perennial we collected ai 11,000 feet in the Andean highlands. But typically. they are not often cultivated above 7,000 feet. In areas with cold winters the plants m y be grom as a annual since they are sensitive to frost like common squash. They are productive in north America and vines grow rainpant - u p trees, over fences with large squash like leaves and dangling tendrils stretched heavy from the huge fruit. ZAMBO GRANDE seeds #H084 SS (BWSS2/FW), ZAMBO GRANDE plants #H184 3 for #l3

rapidly in cool mountain regions throughout the Andes. II is commonly found in Tvearhiispecie regions .mund inof grows frost but tolerante to cold is unknown. Being iiearly evergreen it practically mild climates. Seedlinss uianted in temuerate areas of New Zealand make ravid erowth. iis

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. . At ten years old they may reach more than l 0 meters high which is comparable to the fastest growing ,.

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Ÿmk trees. In the highlands, Venezuela to Peru. The timber from this walnut is especially valuable and the tree is becoming scarce in the andes duc to its high demand. It is also valued, of course. for i& fine lasfine rich nu&. which are used in the same varietv of wav as are common walnuts Coilccted fmm3.000 meters near Ibarra Ecuador where, a few old stands have become especially famous

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TOCTE ANDEAN WALNUT trees 9 #N085 S28 (BWSS2RW)

Zambo Grande - fuut 6 flower

"There's nothing more tasty in the world than Arracacha.'' - Soviet plantsman-explorer S.M. Bukasov "Combines the flavor of celery , cabbage and roasted chestnut...In North

America, Europe and Japan, Arracacha is likely to become commonplace." - National Research Counctl,'1989

''Superior t0 ~ a i r ~ t ~-.David " Faircliiki planfsnian USDA circa 1940 LIKE GIANT CELERY a b v e ground,

like potatoes and delicious chips are made.

and a massive cluster of huge white carrots below the earth.

Limitations in northem latitudes include the fact [hat the tops of Arraiiii plants are frost tender. Treated like an annual. the under erniiiid nibers r minimum of 150-190 days frost free growing before thei begin ki i'hrin The hm oilly a yO_xo ,.,e h eain size most ranidlv when the dav, lensh .. heeins . 10 shonens in autumr inmm1 pI-1.c~3" ç.¥~ti'nJt Irci tall i t i i ~ xia~naded l.ir . f l n p . r~ i i r a ~ t ~.Jvthe ~ n1.m ln shor. sc.~u,ng~rdi'ns.)f [hr 11.vin. . . ihc v..'.,, ..nd und
n Ecuador. Arracacha is oden referred to as "The White carrot"; its crispy clusters of iubers are an inlportant crop in the high Andes. ;,.> .w ,~;Jl,tã,,l~,! !,, ].-:311,,n, , u l s i ~ .r r [hr

litinieipl.ired ,tlr;ted unlplej im,,l ram soakell hiel, on !hr cdic pucn., R ,.,,..4rrar-.lia Ber.,wn innnicr. , , l , , , , ,,in,,j ~~1 cially in lowland iropical climates. Near San ~Anciscocalitornia bur test plot ctnntains new cultivars which should yield bdter in nonherly latitudes.

,

(

\.,!i,\,,i

,n.L

Ahove the ground, the three foot stems are esteemed as a savory vege~ablein sints. or mm r.w like celery . Baked .boiled or fried, the huge underground tubers ( lour times larger than carrots on average), impan a distinclive flavor 10 whatever the? are cooked with. The plans are high in calcium with small starch granules casiiv digested. The roots are someiimes sliced

T h e s e cool cl~matebrambles ofler mild season gardeners prospect for producmg npe berries year-round. Because most Andean rubus blackberries and raspberries - are pthered from wild radier h a n cultivated - ihey have been litde studied hy horticukurists. Though enorrnnusly popular in South American mountains, and available year round. they are virtually unknown outside of the Andes. We have selected cultivatecl forms - noted for their outstanding comniercial qualities and other species collected Jirecdy from wild patches they ripen t0 perfection under cool conditions hut cold-hardiness is unknown. Since they are new UI Ille U.S. consider [hem experimenul. S5 PER PACKET

-

MORA DE CAITILLA ( ~ u b u glaucus) s his species is the most popular markei variety A good m i l ? grown cash crop which is cultured on small farms all over ihe Andes mountains. Considered by U.S. botanisis who have tried it to be one of the most flavorful as well as possessing the most conimercial possibilities. It is naturally procluclive under cool but mild season and bears nearly year round. The berries are large (3 cm.) and have perfect form for marketing, The flavor is a pleasantly sirong-sweet- actd h a t has been likened to the logan berry The fine juice lias attracted international attention from juice companies. Although technically a black berry, Mora de Castilla resembles a raspherry in flavor and in the form of the plant, The selection we offer has large beautifully colored light purple-red lruis. Thuusands of hectares are under cultiva~ion, bui found onlv in small nlots dottine the Andes evervwhere. Yields of 20

a

AmCACHA

(BRlSS3/FW)

81060

in gallon nots

'The roots should pmve highly acceptable to niliions of consumers,,.Pei outsidehAmeica could enjoying hund en-xploited roat just as the Incas did 5OOyears agn." - Nufio~iulRatarcli Cow~'il. 1989

ton per hectare have been reported. MORA DE CASTILLA 86060

MORA DE MONTE ( ~ u b u roseus s v romla) Seciind must popular species alter Mora de castilla. Mora de Monte is louncl in ahu dance at the little outdoor niarkets from Colombia to Cliile. Altl~ongh they are not cultivated- rather being collected iruni paiches urowiiiÃv at 7,000 lo 12,500 feet - the yield is sufficient to expurt. with report. some fruit even reaching Europe, especially in the forni of juices janis wines. The berries are deep purple-red to black medium size actd-swe similar to cultivated raspberries in size and flavor. They are eaten fres' rendered inta high octane pies or distilled to hen' aguardtente. MORI MONTE n6061 $5 THIMBLE CAP MORA

An exqutsue commerciaiiy grown eiy from cool region of Colombia. Excellent flavored, very finely segn ed pinky-red raspbeny Somewhat resembles small sirawberries with der unnoticeable seeds, The flavor niay be likcned to Oregons thitnbl ries. which is one of the norh Amcricas finest flavored rubus, hut dif in culture. Alluring flavor and produces in ahundance, The fsesh fruit hring high prices when in season. THIMBLE CAP MORA U6062 S

MORA DE AMARILLO Wild yeiiow Ruhus collected in t cool mountains of Ecuador. Large growingviney plant - to 8 feet. St sweet pale yellow fruits ripen in clusters. Fair in qualny. MORA DE AMARILLO 9 U6063 $5

...A FEW YEARS AGO, scie are the newfrontier in prevention resea

Phytochemicals existed. Today the

IN 1936 JAPANESE M E N Mexico contained a photochemical 200 million prescriptions containing scribed herb In the world today.

vecies'of Dioscorea growing in r Hormone'. Sixty years later over made each y e a ~the most widely pre-

WE'VE ENJOYED this dive

rden specimen b u as a delicious

4

IN CHINA,

two thousand years ago, Dioscom was said to knefit one's spirit, brighten the intdlecis and prolong Iife. Modem scieni s 6 are just now discovering rejuvenating Ph~ochemials,prohormone, DHEA, pregnenalone, youh enhancing steroids and age-staUing pm,<esterones.Gardeners dclight in the beauty of the glorious vine -calhng the nutty sweet root andaed iukr a delicacy whose time has come.

IN THE AMAZON BASIN,

Indians call'ihe &s "Easy Brother," or Papa dc arbol Mrnyears. Dioscorea rams from the sky like food bni die gods, viners and climbers: devouringstumps and covenng hanimock and huts. Children gmw lat from the starch. But In leaner times,natives hiint the russetted sants, scouring the lorti~tloorlike rodenis in search of rich nus.

MEXKOt Dioxorca feels well enough at h e to evolve proper seeds: to creep nonh as bti~ihegreatlakes; then below the earth a tukt as long as your leg, precursored with hormones,di(isgenin.lactones, DHEA. Today Mwimfarmers see profit as Western alchemists hrinq buyers trom a dozen countries - filling up piil botdes, and pocket books. They print out mes m honor oi "Mexican yams!" thqclamor for commerce, for Ponce de Leon, imfounuins of youth and untold profits.

IN JAPAN,

old wonien prepare the edible mgenily, portioning out bite sized delicacies olIedTo-rnro.lmo. in the fields ofJapan, Diworea is known by Yama no Imo. Gentlemen farmersadmire the ease. tlie Zen kauty of heart shaisd leaves. iuinning one after the ether; a mover stump: towards heaven from earth. Ardkiter; with scsame, wasabe", sauteed like sa per cd asparasus greens in the spring..

IN NORTHERN LAOS, Dioscorea are 'irong medicine. Transcendental ptions are made kom die fat roots; healers consuhed when infants seem almost at the edge of death. Pfwrful sleroidal saponines. progesterone

mms,precursors for cortisone and lactone alkahihsurge through the vine - yet gentle and &able to young humatis. The drngs elevate sifwfy, like a warm massage which may course Amugh the body and heal it vicariously.

IN THAILAND, the plants are ieft to the EKSIS - edging old Iields where the plow can

not fall. Often overlooked, blending in 10 thejungle -knotted and hairy, unattractive when other crops lake precedence. Then suddenly the markets appear lull of Dioscorea tubers; white and glistening, atlracting consumers as if they had come from nowhere.

IN MARKETS OF INDIA,

Dioscorea is pilled under vegeiables; too hig to display. Like a Glants potato. the king of all tubers is lauded by rnerchants' "the biggest, the richest, the most auspicious." Saried women bargan for 'kanchnar,' and 'aloos' and swollen 'panils,' canymg home ten kilos of starchy Dioscorea; the skin of a log, the shape of a bowl: the size of an fcn-phant's loot.

and eaten with bare hands in a nieal they call white hfu"

IN HIMALAYA, Sikkim-and Bhutan, detp green incamations too numerous to mention grow mad in the heat of monsoonsÑbecom ing wild 'hair-dons' of sparkling mauve vines when the air cools in autumn. FROM LOWLANDS AT GANGES to the base of the A n n a p u m al 14,000 feet, Dioscorea are the traditional crop essenual to Himalaya n people before the ptatoessarrival, You'll see them at the edge of the Brahman's rich fields; the low caste village wives uprooting wild Dioscorea with sharp sticks, Husbands pull Tubers, like monstrous legs and elbows, some as heavy as 60 p u n d s from the puwdery white earth, "Aloo', 'DhudAloo' and Khanchar" are names they rcpeat -chanung "dinner is coming, dinner is coming.'

IN OREGONI Dioscorea are the geo-bom-

IN AFRICA, Dioscorea has guarded itself like a fat tortoisc moted in the earth. The she11 is fractured by pounding sun; awaiting just the right season to make a move, From Cape Tom to Caim, Zambia to Zanzibar, a hundred potmds of dcleciable, flesh building siarch can k pulled from a single cool hole in the earth. Dioscorea are the Africans companion - roasted in fiery pits

ical time line in our garden, Up trellis. wire and ropes, over trees and out the botton1 of pots. Watching them grow is an adventure of good memories throiigh rnany lands. We plant hem in beds, neglect then~in pis,weather hem in the brunt of the season: and sel1 them to unsuspectn g tourists. We feed them manure, nitrogen, loose soils, and when we get hungry we push a spade down beside them and sieam them, fry hem or boil hem with pepper and celery.

"DIOSGENIN,

aprecursor (fpmgesterone, coriisone 6 more is yielded in commercid qunfities by a number of diferent [Diosrorea) species"..."some species have leaves which have nitrogen-fixing karteriat"

- D J. Maberly, University of Oxford, Dept. of Plant Sciences, 1986

"EVERY CELL in tlic baiya reguiated by hormona. When they become unbalmcai or tkir pmduction is inhibited. The results m aject drnost every bcdiiyfuncdon, incldingfat metabolism, water levek, sexaalfunction and immune response. The PHYTOCHEMICALS in D10SCOR.A provide UNIQUE SUPPORT lo the Eh'DOCNNE SYSTEM. Like Aloe Vera, Dioscorea ha! a long hismy o f h efits,from cofitrolling weiglit io variou5 hormonal supportfimctions."

- MANNATECH. 1995

N. CHINESE MTN. Y A M Cinnainon Vine (Dioscorea hatatas) A perenitiat i n e with fragrant. cinnamon scented flowers and hich oualitv, tubers that over-winter to be ', varvested at any time. The shiny green heart shaped leaves hang on vines tlia! twine rapidly to 20' making quite an ornamental. The tubers grow as longas three leet and inay be left in the g o u n d for several seasons nevcr ioosing quality. They [IISI get l>iggerand hijger. Tubers may grow as tieep as three feet and are tiardy well to zone 4, with the tops dylng down in November. The white fleshed tubers aresoft an(! aky when cooked and have a potato-iini flavor much sought alter in China. Dornlani in ESE M T N YAM (BRISSlAW) l-yr #l087 $6, #l187 (10 ror $45).

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TRAITRUNG'S Y A M Pink Thai Teniple Yam (Dioscorea sp. v. Traitrung Yuenyaw ) Ironi our irictid's lann in Ubom-Rachatani in nonh-east Thailand. Cuppino. lang Iiladed heart shaped leavcs w i h a shiny waxed appearance and deep pink stems and niargins, n ridges that are uflitn tinged pink and purple and helow the ground a true arch in the autunm. The alinost florescent pink coloration of the tuhers, mamental clown, make this seleciion a candidate for cine of the more heautcous ol the clan. Kid tug khun mak kop! Traitrung! TRAITRUNG'S &-%M #I081 $25 MALAY PURPLE Bal wing 'Yan~NaniCDioscoreantalayaensis) The largest Dioscorea kaf w<\c c v r r seen - Collectecl in sweltering malaria! jungles of Malaysia where fruit bats miglit have heen the modet for the leals design -leaves spread to more than ross. Vigorous vines tlirive in equatorial heat, hut are not entirely tropical. They actuake a fair iimount of growth during coul t'mperate summers with nighttime lows in the thirties. Cotning from the centerline 01 the earth we have to smile when we see il make l 5 feet of growth in a single season here in a northerly latitude. Oregon. Newly introduccd so it's still unte'itctl iit~dthe material is in short supply itmil summer of '98. We've nained it Malay i'urple ¥•it\vo opposing purple tubers form in the axle ol each ntaturc leaf.(the purple huhils are small, round and dotted with white spots) At the hase of the vines another ~ y p cof tuber is forming. underground, apparently quite large.,.wc clon't dare lo dig it up just vet. BAT WNG "YAM-NANG" * #l082 $25 GODA WAR1 MOUNTAIN V A M (~ioscon-aspecies) Ilnique species wliich iorn~sdozens o1 white potatu size mhcrs below each plant. Much different than the Chinese Mountain yam. The lenves are heart shaped, mutcd grey-green and held aloft by a wining mop of purplish vines. BeantifuT Grows well al the hase of estahlishecl trees or hushes - n~akine,gnoel use ul unused space. Oval acrial tubers with linle hairy nubs form in the leals axile. Thrives in medium fertile exposed Mid-Hin~alayanregions, Pakistan to Burma, Liin~teclsupply GODAWARI MOUNTAIN YAM (BR/SS21/FW) planis #l089 $18. tt1189 (10 for S100)

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VIKHAR GETTA HIMALAYAN Y A M (Dioscnrea Pentaphylla à Vikhar getta) Stiiiilar LI.I ya" shan yao. hut less pubeiicent, faster growing, larger leaves. Unknown chemical cnitstituents. A profusion of bumpy aerial tuhers in fall and the snhterranean tnhers - too new i n harvest. VIKHAR GETTA #l086 S25 JINENJO

YAMA-NO-IM0 Ja~anescyam (Dioscorea japonica) This distinctive Japanese species is almost too pretty to harvest - hardy to 30' helow zero in the nnrth, the delicate vines arise in spring and are eatm like asparagus when young..,aerial hulbils in the lcai axis are edihle too, hut helow the earth another fine tuber loon~s.white fleshed under a cure of lan skin, absolutely delectable, Choppeci in soups- with miso and as topping for noodle dishes, Imiled, bakecl and lried. The Japanese ca11 [hem YAMA no IMO- If fine dining is an occupation you value, think serioilsly ahout pickling this Dioscorea with wasabe, peril, peppercoms and serving it in paper thin slices like daikon or wrapped with nori and lavender rice. Tlie plznt is easy to grow, hut locks su delicate. Wc're thankful for 1111slovely specie as a balance ti1 other Dinscorea, .tiny whisper-thin leaves and thread-like vines for the first coulile of years. JINìNJ tt1085 S15 Malaj Piirj~it-

YAO-SHAN-YA0 (DIOSCOREA PENYAPHYLLA) Fron1 remote forests. valley slopes, shmb lands of N. Burma, N. Laos, S. China comes a very unusual selection found at 4500 foot elevation in the wild autononlous Hani- Yao tribal region. With time, the unique twining vines form a spiraliug series of enigmat- ..,. ,," , ic recurvine red thorns which hend safely into the vine's stem. The leaves, trifoli"

,

Haui and Yao minorities, are rich in nourishing starches and are consumed in remote locations. Regarded as slightly bitter by some accounts, other regions they are widely eaten as are yams and potatoes and may be employed in various dedicines. English botanist Grahmn 1879 - Chronicle of Plants - reported parts of this variety to contain intoxicating properties, especially when addeil to wines. Well known in pharmacological research, the species of plants contain steroids from which cortisone and reproductive hormones are manutactured. Very limited supply, YAO-SHAN-YA0 (BWSSlEW) X1084 $25

JHERIZ JIANT (DIOSCOREA PENANGENSIS) Vigorous fast growing jungle vilie - with a huge aerial tuber in the leaf axis, Soniething like brown eggs dropping kom the sky when their ripe, only they don't crack, they sprout new plane as soon as ihe conditions are right. From a stifling hot mountain jungle on a tropical Island in Malaysia - but that doesn't stop it from making 15 feet of growth each season in warm temperate areas., Under the ground, another class of hairy tuhers are thought K>be growing as well, no telling how hig they'll get. Very stout constiiution and heart shaped green leaves typical of the family Newly introduced, JHERIZ JlANT (BWSSZEW) 9 U1083 $25

A M A Z O N I A N AIR POTATO (Dioscorea sp.) Botanically unreiated t0 trut potatoes. The great size aerial tuhers produced hy this Amazonian are largest and oddest shaped we've seen in this species. Unknown in the markets, and rarely seen even hy people who know ihe region welt this species apparen* is still undomesticated, surviving in part to the sturdy nature ol the aerial hulhs- which it produces in sufficient quaiitities to make it worthy of cultivation. They bulbs store well for months in the open air and sprout readily when conditions are correct. A fascinating family of plants, wilh beautiful ornamental foliage, easy nature and wide distribution. Worldwide, dioscorea species usually originate in inouniain areas and this 1s the first type we've collected from a purely tropical Iowlancl region, The vines are typical of the family; heart-shapde shiny leaves and multiple twining green or red-specked stenis. The tubers will form iwo to ten feet ahove ground in the vines leaf axil. They are said (in Amazonia) to ripen ouly tliree nionths after pianting. They swell in a multitude of niysterious shapes - ridges, fanned, spiked, ege shaped and triangular - all from the same plant. These aerial tubers are by far the largest size of any dioscorea we've seen and sometimes reach 4 to 5 inches across. The eating quality is high, prepared like potatoes. They produce in abundance, littering the ground with the russeted "fruits" that resemble Stones, AMAZONUN AIR POTATO (BWSSIFW) 81088 $25

MEXICAN Y A M (DIOSCOREA VILLOSA) From Canada to Wisconsin and soutliward to Mexico where it is most commonly secn. A delicate twinner with a well documented medicinal root. Recldish brown slems. almost woolly. from five t0 18 feet long. Glahourous leaves and pile green flowers, Grows in thickets, over bushes and u p wire fences. Fiowers in June and July The crooked roots are full of dioscorican, They are at the center of much research and the source of a new wave of phyio-pharmaceutical renderings. The Eclectic School of Medicine regard this wild yam as anti-spasmatic diuretic and expectorant. More importantly it contains the Mother Hormone DHEA. New research and patented Process to extract DHEA have set of[ a frenzy as large pharmaceutical companies and muhilevel marketiers vie for their share in the next 'fountain of youth'. The fuse is lit and the market for natural DHEA is destined to explode in the next decade, Nevermind thai Mexican yams have been valued by herhalists since the civil war. MEXlCAN YAM (BRlSS21FW)- 81080 $14 ea, #l180 (5 for SH ca), #l280 (10 for $9 ca), #l380 (100 at W 5 0 ca)

.,

"Oregon Exotics is responsible for the introduction of more prime huntin than a hundred new plant sp rounds are the often unexpl of China, Ti

OUR QRAFTED TREES BEGIN PRODUCING HEAVILY

at an early age and attain ihe s i x of a standard a Mature trces tnay bear 400 pounds of meiun berries each season and bringa high price in the Asian inarket place locaiion with rich soil, watcrcd well through the growing season. Trees are wind polliiiated and a niale iree should be pi preferably on the windward side.

MANDARIN MF.LON BERRY (BR/SS2/FW)

male tree S2089,female tree #2090 S25 each (limited supply)

(Lycium chinensis) Attracuve fruit hearing medicinal/edihle shrub common to the nonhem and western provinces in China. Medicinally this plant is we11 known in Asian countries with hoth the fruits and roots being used as a major tonic (liver and Johnny Shaw m Inner Mongoha blood). It has long been prescribed to ease pulmonary tubersearchfor new Lycium species culosis, pneumonia and eye diseast The seeds are listed as a source of thitrace mineral germanium. A solanaceous (tomato family) plant somewhat resembling kApriswith archinsv low hranches snreadineu to 12'. Adantable to . a h or fences and excellent in the landscape for covering rocks andother objects. Well suited for arid regions and holds its leaves until late in the Fall The plant basts a profusion of small purple flmrsin the early summer followed hy a showy display of orangeredhemes up to an inch long, FwiE ripen over a long season and canlecaten fresh, cooked in Chinese dishes or are more commonly dried. They resemble red raisiris, Dried fruits have a chewy, sweetish+[omato-raisinflavor (!?).The soft thin leaves have reporledly $mcaten as a no~herh.Hardv to zone 5. In 8" tuhes. KOU CHI ~~

two types of make melon are cuhivated in east and central China, A longstraight variety reaching 4-5 feet and a another coiled variety. Both are of easy culture on rnoist soils, where they make rampant growth. They are a long season vegetahle which should be staned indoors in early spring and set out after frost into rich soils. Space the plants 150 x 100 cm apart with a trellis or fence for the vine to grow up. Vines produce 8-12 melons tach and shouid be harvested while light green in color or even white. Young fruits are helter fiavored than the mature fruits and should be hoiled with a change of water then sauted into one of many traditional dishes. Used much like the other Asian vegetable "balsam pear". When left on the vine to fully mature [ht make melon dries to hecome a type of sponge and cleaning too1 much like "loofa" for hathing utensils, etc. Super concemrated exiract from the vine of some Trichosanthes

(Oioeriospondia sapondin) From Chinas Jianxi hills to the Nepalese sub Hinialaya - this particular species of small fem leafed graceful trees yield a unique pllow date like fruit in abundance, Gooey, sweet and sour, the 1-112 to 2 inch fniitslook and taste like a natural lemon meringue when eaten fresh. Often they are cooked with special herhs and spices making delicious chutney or aperitifs to heenjoyed with many a dish, The lacy leaves, drooping up to 2 ft. long are hightighted by rose winc stem and margins. They make choice ornamental and street m e s

.

habitat Fast growmg deciduous tree rare in cultivat~on,they have a narrow open struc NR

with smooth slender trunks and begtn beanng heavy crops of the syrupy yellow

Collected m the cold Qinling Mountain system in central China. A remote region forbidden 10 foreign travel and known for sightings of wild, hairy, man-like creaiures, these ma~esticcliffs. peaks and deep canyons house an inaccessible green treasure-

aves.eking out a primitive and bare existence by foraging wild food plants forn the rugged canyon walls. Excellent in shady canyons, the deciduous Aub has very large compound leaves and an odd metallic blue pod full dwhite juicy pulp. Sweet fig-grape-hanana flavqr. Harvested in mass hy ikmountain people. Hardy to Zone 5. J .&&SNEA FARGES11 (BR/SSZ/FW) #Z079 $15:

^/^y

-/

l /

A.K.A.

YEllOW VITEX

(Vitex cannabifoliaj Duel purpose deciduous shruh collected i n h e temperate mountains of central China's forbidden Shennonjia. (Home to the Chinese god of edible plants= Shen-nong-shi.) In time of famine or war this native grain uee red the starving masses. When the rain faled and the rice dried, or war? pushed masses into reueat, the han pheasany relied on wayside plants such as the small hushy vitex which, Tor a wild species, yielded an appreciable amount of fall gram. The seeds heads flower heavilv in late summer iintil frosi With mauve snap dragon like flowers, the plants form scant seed heads of brown gram Suong but pleasantly aromatic, the gram could be hkened to a sage}' millet and was harvested from wayside plants to be ground in10 flower, suitable for porridge and bread. The plants have been thriving here in Oregon and, when the season is long enough, they ripen a scant crop of the fragrant grain, They are care free, withiut pests and remain ungrazed by deer, They have an ornamental purple and yellow tall color. In China the leaves and roots are used to reat malaria and dysentery. They grow quickly to 8 feet.

TODAY

we can trace the history of human culurai development hy charting the developmeiit or the demise of primal food plants. Hroni the first stone too1 [o the last space-ship, the seasons of harvest and the tense anticipation of ripening starches has always and wili always impact our cognitive beings and quantum bodies. We may more accurately chart our intellectual heritage, emotional and physical lineage's by following the concurrent evolution of edible plant life [han we can through any remnant of paleolithic art, myth and lore, stone ruins, or religious taboo. Just as the dispersal of seeds gave change to the nutritive qualities of plants, so, too, was there a simultaneous occurrence in Homo Sapiens'ability t9 assimilate those properties into his body, At first, both man and his food supply, graduated up the evolutionary ladder together, leading the 10 the sequentta! and simultaneous acceleration of mental abilities and spiritual capacity. Our prefened diet is a now a lineage of economic plant life charting Homo Sapiens' singk most accurate geo-ethno-anihrobotanical time line ihere is. Indeed, plants and the subsequent cuisine derived from them are still the definitive ingredients used to link the social, spiritual and economic evolution of most primeval cultures. Historians, anthropologisis, ethnobotanisis, paleontologists, archeologists and the shaman all may observe this phenomeiia, even long after a culture

CHINESE edible fruitmg Podocarpus A new selection from China that ytelds fruit larger than any other fruiting Podocarpus we have found Beaunful, translucent green, red, and purpie berries havtng much the texture and taste of s Thompson seedless grape or like a fresh prune plum but not so rich, Shaped much like a Panda bear with devachable green ears. The fruits are born in clusters at the ends of hranches and are easily shaken from the trees as they rtpen. Trees are small evergreens 10-15 fl, They resemble conifers yet with their evergreen bushy nature and thick wide leaves they are more attractive in †plants in gallon pols, LO HAN KUO (BRJSSlIFW) 3 plants for S18 (n21731

(Cedreila sinensisj In China the leaves of this tree are edten in spring fur their spicy onion/meat flavor, Very unusual and tasty when prepared right They are found in markets bundled like spring vegetables along China's east coast. 2' bold compouncl leaves, rihhed green edged with red and creamy undersides with drooping flower clusters. Nice shade trees, Hardy to zone 5 . TOONA (BRIFW) 0 #GO11 $12 4'-5' trees)

Join us each October and April in the People's Republic of Chinafor a gold season of learning and adventure. h~na'srebelbo~inwt,Johmy Shaw and curatorJerome R

From Inner Mongoha, the T i k a n plateau 10 sicannng jungies on the Burmese boarder, visit hotanical gardens nature reae rihal villages 3s old as China i~self See it as u IS. hy b ,bus and tractor Meet high ranktng botanical official r gardens, study the ildra of ethnic autonomous region torical sites ol rural China

CHINESE

MEDICINAL HERM T h e loll<~wingmedicinal planis have a long and varied history in China, stretching hack over 4000 years In China, the U-S., F.urope, and around the world many are s d l widely employed hy highly trained medical doctors. It is prohihited hy law to proclaim liealth promoiing benefits of any plant. Therefore. iniormation presented here is given primarily for its historical valtte, The traditional preparations and dosages vary as widely as the herhi tliemselves, and we make no claims as to viahiiity, productiveness, action, or nonicndature.

(EPHEDRA M I N I M A ) his species of remarkahk iinie plants, utilized 111 China for a couple thousand yciirs, are the source f the potent d m g 'Ma-Huang' = EPHEDRENE. Leafless desert shrubs rescmbie the plant 'horsetail' bu1 are the more siender and branching. Cotiimonly lound in Mongolia and Chinas far north. In Tibet we nnu-cl this diminutive fortii growing in abtindance on the hleak and arid plateau ahovc 14,000 feet, I t bears priniiuvc yellow llowers and produces an edihle scarlet herry soine have likened to ilie raspht'rry The fmits, rarely seen outside of its native range, are: succulent. iiiucilagino~ts,slightls acid and are eaten hy Uie Chinese and tlie wanderingnoomads i.n Tibet and Mongolia. Very drought tokrant, ihey need full sun and gravelly scree. MA-HUANG (BWSSIIFW) OH003 plants '312.50 ca

(Astragalus menil~ranaceus) Sprawling perennial Icgume. Pea type Ilowets and iacy creeping stenis. Fameus and valuahle Chinese lierb well know to strensthen the immune systeni , helping the hody light disease. HUANG CH1 OH004 plants $5.50

CAMPHOR Economic evergreen c'INNAMOMUM h hota^ from zone X to the vopics For h o s e u s h g Xger Balin, eltisin~aporRub, deep lieatin^ ruhs, moth repellents and is other aromatic products', you might consider most j , ? tbc source its self! Very durable green no bot anis^ handsome. Large tnulti hranched 7-9 feel all may o h ; ~ e d CAMPHOR TREE (BRISS2FW) has vanishei

(VITEX AGNUS-CASTUD Deciduous perennial bush 10 10 Ornamental medicinal s h ~ with h spikes of lavender llowers The herries are used in woman's medicine for Iiormonal baiancing, espt cially during menopaus?. Hemp-like leaves with yelluw and purpk fall coloring, In China herhalisis prepare mixtures useful lor coughs, headaches and relief Erom anxiety CHASTE TREI: (BRJSSl/FW) #H006 S6 CHUAN-CHIUNG (Ligusticum wallichii) Medicinal herb cultivateo extensively for u's underground tuber which contains active pain killir alkaloids, lactone derivauves and ferulic acids. Pharmacological tests indicate oils from this herb act on the central nervous system, controlling cerehral activity, lowering hlnod pressure and has showed soiile antibac~erialaction #H064 518, AVAILABLE IN FALL OF 1998 N A N HSING SOUTHERN STAR (Arisaettta consangttineuii~ Perenntai herh from damp shady foresis, Round tubersgrow imder a stalk which holds up a single palmate star like leaf. Leal has 11-23 pus ple striped hlades, Blooms in summer with bracts of hr~ghtred herrtes Said to reduce swelltng, relive pain and spasms. prescrihes m levers, cases of convulsion and traumatic injuries. SH065 PAI-CHI (Palirus ramosissimus') A 3-4 fobt shruh tron1 south China Medicine has heen prepared by the Chinese Ironi the spines of tlic plat which ihey use for vartous aches and patns. U's leaves are used for pol tices on ulcers The white wood is cui and hurnt into an ash with is h e n mixed with oils as a hair cleanser. SH066 seeds $5 YANG JU 'UPLAND SEA SNAIL PLANT' (Codonopsis tangshan campanulaceae) A perennial herh used in Chinese meilicin~ Neutral flavored tonic is extracted from stnall tuberotis roots. It is prescribed hy the Chinese to clear the lungs, detoxify, regiilate mensirviition and regulate milk How in nursing mothers. The plant is lound in motst shrub tliickets and hill lands. i t has a crawling sten1 eiitwiriing with numerous hranches, They bloom in sumnier and fall with yellow white nower faces and purple backs. I-tii supply. #H067 seeds 55; OH167 plants $9 WU GHIA (Acanthopanax gracilistylus) A Chinese tiirdianal used for aches: arthritis, back and joint pain, The plant is someinne calied prickly ginseng, or caramhola root, I t is a deciduons shruh from Chin: badlands, scoiired hills and scrub thickets The lcavcs are palmate i-on pound leaflets covered in stift hairs. The greetiish yellow Howers hioot in niid summer and are iollowed by globular purple herrk,s. The corte of the ro01 contains the active principle used in preparations. Odorle'i; and tasteless, WU GHIA 1s still widely prescribed, e~pecialiyin (reatment of rheumattsm. OH068, m TU CHIAO HEN SINGLE FOOT LOTUS Llilv (aniilv P a r polyphylla) Very rare perennial lierh oi the liliaceac tnbe ~ i o w . s ' i l d on fertile shady alpine bogs, Forms a nice rhizonic whicil holds up a I -4 foot whorl of duck foot leaves and dark pur pk herries, Roots are used in Chinese medicine (nr fever! detoxification and reduction of swelling Very liniited supply UH069, Q &!, F1VE FLAVOR FRUIT [Sikandra chinensk)

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MAK1 CHlNEtE LANTERNS (Physalis francheii kij Popular ornamental someiinies called Chinese h t m . Eye-caichini; bright orange paper-like lanterns cover a Orange amd yellow berry Said 10 be very sweet and edihle. Iahterns hloom hwily aU over a i funt sulk. $H071 seeds -TS'AO BLUE PLANT (Indigofera) A Ieguininouj shrub ci!Hvased in China and india, This natwa! blue-dye plan! ha,s also been twd mediciiially. Prestrihed to clear fevers, rashej, and dctoxifv $363 (¥¥KSl/F $7 NG TZU TOMCAT QUILLS (Poly)!onmn perfuliah i n ~ emedicinal herb related w a fascinating family of plants, Makes fast growth in marginal soils. Grows rainpant (iver shrubs. Should be maintaineil and IIPI allowed to escape from the herb garden asit m iake over, L'se caution with it- The stems climb and latch onto anythmg by a series of hooks. The hiue green leaves are soft pelatedelate aliernabng pcuole \vith sinall hoeks on backside. Bloonis all sumnerwith small ~ c e n i s hwhite Howcrs an11 fornis clusters of blue white hrtes (achenes). The Cliintae herhalists descrihe the properties to be, neutral w s~iir.to i-'lear fevers, detoxify and stiniulaie hlood circulaiion. They prescribe it in cases of dyseiitery, abscess. poisonous bites. The whole plani beiiig used in variom preparations. •h are extremely well adanled to growili in Oregon. Can makr 20-30 feet in one season! (SSIIFWI *H072 plants $12

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-HU-IU

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LOVE 11CK LKORICE

cator~us,!The leaves of this Chinese plant contain a sweet principlesimilar to that of licorice, The roois where used to some extent fmflavorine iii Cluna. lava and in Naga-land. Exc:ellent grained wood is ofgrtas valuc to carvcr-i hut the diameter is never thick enuugh to make itcommerciall~liarvested by timber dealers. Perfecily ittiiforiii seeds, usedby Shan trihes in north Rurma as a measurcmcnt oi weight Traded totovers for the heauty d the deep red and black secd wliich beads are made Ironi, ihey're deiiilly poisonous. The Chinese Penstao (materia nedica) siates paris ol ihe plant are nch in activc tox-:ilhumins like abunn have been prepared as niedioiial preparations in da)â€pas! hut besince losi lavor.. #l1073 seeds 53-50

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FRAGRANT ANGELICA

(Aneelica pubescens) ?ert-iinial lie111 Srom scruh thickets of central China. Said to be warn~ing. reli\c chiii and alleviate pain , Used hy tlu' Chinese [or toothache , arthritis, heailachc and ahscesses #H074 G-LU DEKENDING HILL TIGER (Phyiolacca acinnsa) l ineiiicinai herb wilh siriking7 ffoot succule~~i purple stemmed branches and notering bracts. Thnvsin O r e p l-lighly ornamenial in sulnnter atid anturnn when it isiden with branches of latge purpir hcrrics Used liy the Chinest- to imtedenias and reduce swelling . Proni :i wide faiiiily of edible and &inal plants , Some people eat the leaves as a notherh, buâ the roots aniikrno should lie considered toxic. Ui.1075, U

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EIE HELENA ROSE

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ROSA HELENAE

Rartclimbing rose that will reach 15 feet. Very liardy Ironi norihern Oms. Fragrant l inch white flowers and 2" inch leaves in muli~pie combs, Small " l i i ~ hC" h i ~ s W 0 7 6

TANG TZU SHAN OU0

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(Rosa Laevirata) A Clunhing rost from central China- !.>r% fragrant white flowers on thorny slems, Medium s i x hairy frrits 3lC j\veet 'ind edible. Said to detoxify. and used in [lie treatmeni ni iirinary infeciion?,, dysentev, menstrual irregularity and traumatic injuncs. *H077 PAI-HO CHINE1E EDIBLE WHITE LILY iiili~inihiwnii! Perennial medicinal lily Ironi the rich forest soils d e a s ! and c,'ntr~I China. In China, the lutns like corm is both commerciallv growii and gathered from the wild. They are widdy eaten. bemg shippcd a,s l:ir as :lic USA. They have high proteins, starches and cuntain appreciiihle amoinu of sugar making h e m vety sseet- cspeddly aiti-r bakin?. The ilowei-; art harvested and used in sonps fresh or liried, "the milk whitr: and bnwn hiossoms appear in mid siimmer. Faris w u-ied inei-l~cnially:i-' [reat ~ o u g h scalm , nerves ,anxiety and ~ipprelicnsnin.811073 lllunts $33 H U Tl'AO RED MADDER Coilce l;unilv (1111hi.icor~lifolia) Luxuriani perennial herb from damp high fort;st.s ol Chiiiii Creepin†stems to 2 feet and whorls o1 leaves tipptd w1111 hilie-hlZ~i-k heme'. >sid by the C:hinese to stop bleeding, alleviatt; pain ;tnJ rcd~iceinlian~n:~ition A h i ~ hqi.iality &ep red dye is rendered from tisc puiplt r,~,ti: :r' \'aluahle in China and Japan #kl079, H1U TUAN (Dispsacus pponictii) R d hc><xniincp v r t m i ~ llhcrl~ sornetimcs calied Japanese teazel or M~untainradi'ili I'tirnii :i larai cone shaped tap rout used in Chinese mediciiu-s Ciinsi&r~iIta ix' a tonic for the gradiial heaiing of tumors, rupiureil tcrkloii , lici~n•rrhii~; hemorrhoids, hreast cancer, ii~ontinenceand mi.'w. Said hy :in' C.Iiincsc to strengthen ille liver and stimulate blooa drculi~iion SH080. Ol[L BUPLUREUM CHINENHS Chinese reli-r to this iiicili(iii;il h e h a5 Kindiing of Barbarians" f i s used t:) alleviate fever. lical dtsharii~t~inic~ and with other plants ..niore potent concociioiis are iiutdc Tiitf hrrh is quite valuable. Herbal tonies should be consultcd ler nuirc in-i-Inpi11 descripuons. :\nraciive spcles wnli bil purpit: Iilm bi-.mnra! ÇH007OUT': OPHIOPOGON JAPONKUS Lus11 Winier Grain" T o q h , witle. bladed grass-liike clumps - deep piirplc Ÿ h l x k innunds iiiake ;m excelleni landscaping maierial - lhrlow ilie citiinp- clcar white •uhe . iorni, which are soiight alter hy Chinese lierhalisis l-seful in h e ~ r ilurig and stoniach complaints. Very hardy plant-s resist drnusht a5 wcll as uio iniiich water, Tliey easily overwinter in the n ~ r t hvi;! will grov- in tropi2.1 m i l i t i o n s as wcll. SH008 plants S8

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(ENTADA? UNKNOWN SPECIES) Rare genera, not described hy most hooks. liseful leguntinous Himalaydn Iiana, Founcl mostly in the deep torest. Showy green flowers and munstrous white pods contain nut-Iirown, shiny, stonehard. round hrown seecls tile size o1 silver dollars.

DR* D.J. MABBERLY,

ilepanment of piam ia~ences Oxford, states of some of the genera. 'pools up to 5 feet I O I I ~

"ii.a~huds or this ciimher can be eaten hut the friiit is for the gdstric ('1 hut ns bitter"

MR* PRADEEP says

LEAVES ARE A VEGETABLE,

seedn edible roast.

etl"(Dr. Mabherly)

"THE M A I N USE is as medicine for animais, with a chcmi ca1 we don't know" (Pradeep).

"SAPONINS"(ilr.Mahberly). "THIS PLANT is v e v important for the fonds and medicine (Pradeep).

"GOOD FIBER for MS. sails nc."(Dr. Mabberly). "+.+THEVILLAGE PEOPLE give it for the at1tmaI to stol

the nose water-fall.(!?) I f we take om the white part and iet anima to eai,..thc water stop anyway ...we don't know why." (Pradeep).

'SAPONINS"(ilr.Mabherly). HIMALAYAN S WORD FRUIT Evergreen Tniinpet fluwer (Oroxylum indicunt) Rdible pale red flowers. succulent tender leal and a sword like fruit which niay reach up to 3 feet in lengill. Some places. Darieeliiig and east Nepal esptcially. this tree is valited and planted as a on? would plant a vegetable - only this une reaches thirty feet tall and lives !or niore ihan fifty years. The yale red flowers and succulent leaves are eaten like saiacl. spiced and served as a side to starcl~es.The iruits will reach three feet long hu1 should be harvested young, boiled cir friecl with cliilics. ginser, lemon grass and poured over rice. Seeds are nuied for use in niedicmes, as wcil as the root (asiringent tonic) and the bark powder. In the Himalaya, it is considered thai [lie leaf, wheii cooked as a vegetable, is excellent for the hear(, the nerven and the biood circnlation Said to be very rich in vitantin A.. Tatelo Trees like rich soil and ample water, Takes some frost to about 20-25" 1: TATELO (BR/SSl/FW) 9 #G020 $18 cach; or 3 for S45 (#G1201

(SHUTERIA VESTIA) Like a miniature Ieguminous iiana - petite wuody clnnber from shady forest of Burma, Nepal, Khasi Hills. Slender haiv slems, Ilair? p m like leavcs, densely hair tubular leethed yellow flowers, Unknown in cultiwtion ...'till now

WE'LL JUST (ALL IT ONE OF THE LARGEST SEEDED LEGUMES WE'VE EVER SEEN UNKNOWN IN

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HIMALAYAN PANGRA

Plants #G019 $28

(XYLOSMA CONTROVERSUM)

Ratdy scen, sekloni descrihed, 30 h o l tree from central Himalaya.( name me8 'hig hoss'l handsome tre? with small thorns on lenticellaie branch , spiraling leaves. S~nailgreen flowers bracts and a small red frilitripens July t0 November, Pradeep says,"we Nepalesc people casils eat. sweet, and also a inedicinal," From the family Flacourtiaceae; famous ror a dozen well descrihed fruits such as Kei apples. Ceylc gooseberrics, lovi-lovi- governors, plums and Indian prunes. TUI.0-SAAUII Two year Irees ÈCr02 518

Bahi~iiaspecies from the sub-Himalaya Magnilicent hlooms lastin about 4 wceks- The flower huds are harvesied and sold in the tl~inalaya~i tiiarke~sas a coimnon vegetalile Pound for pound Kachnar buds have the sanie valuc as areen neas and other savon