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

Kermath, Bennett and Pulsipher - Food Plants in the Americs
SPANISH: cudzú, kudzú
USES/NOTES: Aggressive vine has been grown as a cover crop, for
erosion control, and for fodder. Roots, leaves, fruit pods, and
flowers are edible, though infrequently eaten. Flowers can be used
to make jelly and are used as a honey source. Starchy roots may
grow to 35 kg. Introduced to North America in 1876 as an
ornamental, kudzu was later used for erosion control, from where it
quickly spread to become an invasive plant throughout the eastern
U.S., from Florida to Long Island, through southern Michigan to
eastern Texas, though most troublesome in southern Appalachia. The
root extracts daidzin and puerarin have been shown to suppress the
desire to consume alcohol in alcohol-addicted rodents and kudzu tea
reportedly can be used to treat hangovers. Knoxville, Tennessee has
an annual kudzu festival.
NATURAL RANGE: East Asia, probably Japan, widely naturalized and
invasive, especially in the southeastern U.S.
REFERENCES: Duke 1981, Duke 1997, Guia Rural n.d., Kermath (notes),
Keung et al. 1996, Keung and Vallee 1993, Mabberley 1987,
Overstreet et al. 1996, Shurtleff and Aoyagi 1985, Tanner et al.
1979, Usher 1974, Watson 1989, Yamaguchi 1983
Punica granatum L.
FAMILY: Punicaceae (pomegranate)
ENGLISH: pomegranate
PORTUGUESE: granado, romã, romã-de-granada
SPANISH: balaustra, granada, granado, granda
USES/NOTES: Large (to 10cm), round, dark red berries contain many
small seeds surrounded by juicy, red arils that are much prized
eaten out of hand or added to sauces and fruit salads. Fruit juice
is used to make the drink grenadine; tannin from the tough skin is
used commercially to tan leather; and bark is used medicinally to
treat intestinal worms, diarrhea and fevers. Seeds are used in New
Year’s celebrations for good luck in parts of Brazil. Of ancient
cultivation, the trees are also grown as ornamentals.
NATURAL RANGE: Mild climate niches from the Balkans to the Himalayas,
possibly more restricted to the Caspian region
REFERENCES: Bourke et al. 1987, Duke and Vásquez 1994, Guia Rural
n.d., Jørgensen and Ulloa Ulloa 1994, Kermath (notes), Omawale
1973, Popenoe 1974, Rehm and Espig 1991, Schneider 1987, Usher
1974, Van Feu n.d., Zohary and Hopf 1993
Punica nana L. [syn. P. granatum var. nana (L.) Pers.]
FAMILY: Punicaceae (pomegranate)
ENGLISH: dwarf pomegranate
PORTUGUESE: romã
SPANISH: granada
USES/NOTES: Arils around the many tiny seeds are highly esteemed. Also
grown as an ornamental.
NATURAL RANGE: Southern Europe/Asia
REFERENCES: IBGE 1980, Leung 1961, Usher 1974
DRAFT - DO NOT DUPLICATE OR DISTRIBUTE
641