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Abelmoschus esculentus (L - the University of Maine at Fort Kent

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Kerm<strong>at</strong>h, Bennett and Pulsipher - Food Plants in <strong>the</strong> Americs<br />

ENGLISH: herb lily (A. haemantha), Peruvian lily, purple-spot<br />

parrot-lily (A. haemantha)<br />

USES/NOTES: Rhizomes, though bland are nutritious and a good starch<br />

source. The plant is ornamental.<br />

NATURAL RANGE: A. aurantiaca and A. haemantha from Chile and<br />

Argentina to Peru, A. revoluta from Chile and Argentina to<br />

Bolivia, A. versicolor possibly restricted to Chile<br />

REFERENCES: Bailey Hortorium 1976, Mabberley 1987, Marticorena and<br />

Quezada 1985, Parodi 1934, Ravenna 1969, Uph<strong>of</strong> 1968<br />

Alstreoemeria ligtu L.<br />

FAMILY: Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis) or Liliaceae (lily)<br />

ENGLISH: Peruvian lily<br />

SPANISH: chuno de concepción<br />

USES/NOTES: Roots are a starch source sold in Chilean markets. Also<br />

grown as an ornamental for its orange flowers.<br />

NATURAL RANGE: Coastal cloud forests <strong>of</strong> Chile and Peru<br />

REFERENCES: Brako and Zarucchi 1993, Marticorena and Quezada 1985,<br />

Uph<strong>of</strong> 1968<br />

Alternan<strong>the</strong>ra brasiliana (L.) Kuntze<br />

FAMILY: Amaranthaceae (amaranth or pigweed)<br />

ENGLISH: Brazil chaff-flower, Brazilian amaranth, Brazilian<br />

joyweed, purple alternan<strong>the</strong>ra<br />

PORTUGUESE: caaponga, ervanço, perpétua, perpétua-do-brasil,<br />

perpétua-do-m<strong>at</strong>o<br />

SPANISH: perpetua<br />

USES/NOTES: Leaf is used as a cooking herb. Flowers are medicinal.<br />

NATURAL RANGE: Brazil, likely beyond<br />

REFERENCES: IBGE 1980, Mears 1977, Mentz et al. 1997<br />

Althaea <strong>of</strong>ficinalis L.<br />

FAMILY: Malvaceae (mallow)<br />

ENGLISH: altea, marsh mallow, marshmallow, white mallow<br />

PORTUGUESE: alteia (altéia), althaea, malva-branca, malva-dopântano,<br />

malvarisco<br />

SPANISH: malva de pantano, malvavisco, melcocha<br />

USES/NOTES: Starchy roots were prepared to make a mucilaginous<br />

paste used like egg whites and to make <strong>the</strong> base <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> original<br />

marshmallow — a gummy confection made with a sweetened root<br />

decoction variously mixed with egg whites and thickeners like gum<br />

arabic (Acacia spp.). Today, marshmallows (bombón de merengue<br />

blanco in Spanish) are made with gel<strong>at</strong>in or gum thickeners, corn<br />

syrup, sugar, and flavorings. Roots and leaves have been used for<br />

tea, roots can be e<strong>at</strong>en in salads, and flower buds have been used<br />

like capers (Capparis spinosa). Also medicinal.<br />

NATURAL RANGE: Europe, widely n<strong>at</strong>uralized in <strong>the</strong> Americas<br />

REFERENCES: Bourke et al. 1987, Carneiro Martins 1989, Facciola<br />

1990, Gibbons 1966, Mabberley 1987, Peterson 1977, Soukup 1970,<br />

Usher 1974<br />

DRAFT - DO NOT DUPLICATE OR DISTRIBUTE<br />

39

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