2012/13 Catalogue - Edulis Nursery

sativum Albanian Late in the market at Corovode. This stays growing through August with us and we harvest in
September. I was struck by the variety of spring greens (horta) available in the markets. A much larger variety than
Greek markets. Field poppy (Papaver rhoeas) was very popular. Used by boiling and serving with olive oil (not to
be consumed after forming flower buds). On the non-edible side, I found seed of Petrorhagia illyrica ‘Albanian
Star’ PAB 4871. A delightful alpine with starry pink flowers that just flowers and flowers.
If you have never tried ‘Byrek’ fresh from the baker, then don’t miss out. And the olives are some of the best
I’ve tried!
ROMANIA
In August, I managed a few days to explore Transylvania. A place I have wanted to go for many years. It was lovely
to see Pimpinella major rosea and Seseli libanotis flowering together. Two of my favorite umbels. In the Apuseni
Mountains the meadows were full of colour with Gentiana asclepiadea. White throated form. I came across damp
meadows of Cirsium oleraceum (Cabbage Thistle). The young stems are consumed across Eurasia.
CHINA – GUIZHOU
In November, I travelled with Nick Macer of Pan Global Plants to Guizhou, to visit a couple of mountain ranges.
Most notably, Fan-Jing-Shan. The weather wasn’t kind to us and it rained stair-rods. The markets held numerous
types of Szechwan pepper (Zanthoxylum sp.). They seem to have a number of different flavours (see photo). I noted
my favorite allium (Allium hookeri) being grown by the roadsides and being offered as green shoots. While in India
it is offered, most commonly, as roots. I intend to post more information about this trip on my website.
INDIA – MANIPUR/MIZORAM
The family headed for Mizoram at Christmas. I intended to re-visit a couple of mountains, namely Reiek and Mhui
Fang. And I also wanted to cook using the numerous herbs, vegetables and spices available in Aizawl market. After
Christmas, I headed for Manipur to follow in the footsteps of Frank Kingdon-Ward. Manipur is not safe at the
moment, due to tribal disputes, but I found the Tangkhul tribe very friendly. They showed me the home of the Shirui
Lily (Lilium macliniae) on Shirui Kashong (Shirui Peak). We didn’t see the lily, but came across a wonderful area of
forest with Mahonia sp., Polygonatum sp., Daphne bholua, and Sorbus insignis.
The market in Imphal displayed a feast of unusual spice & vegetables including Rhus sp., Nymphaea sp., Allium
hookeri and Allium chinense. Plus the odd Porcupine on a stick. A more detailed report will appear on the website.
Manipur and Mizoram are incredibly difficult places to travel. It took two days to get to Shirui Peak and I only
managed 3 hours on the mountain. The roads are poor and there are frequent hold ups, landslides and check
points.
DISCLAIMER
To the best of our knowledge all the information contained in this catalogue is accurate and true.
We cannot guarantee that everyone will react positively to all edible plants or other plant uses. It is commonly
known that many people suffer allergic reactions to conventional foods and products. Even amongst the more
commonly eaten fruits, for example, there are plenty of instances where people react badly to them. We strongly
recommend the following preventative precautions when trying anything new:
Make sure you have identified the plant correctly
Try a small taste of anything new in your diet.
No liability exists against Edulis or any member of Edulis, nor can they be held responsible for any allergy, illness
or injurious effect that any person or animal may suffer as a result of information in this catalogue or through using
any of the plants mentioned by Edulis.
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