Tag: arid and hot

A GLOBAL INVENTORY OF PERENNIAL VEGETABLES

Eric Toensmeier

 

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Perennial Vegetables Defined

These are crops that fit my definition of perennial vegetable: living three or more years, used as a vegetable and not a novelty crop or culinary herb, and not destroyed by harvesting. Some of these root crops are plant/replant perennials, meaning they are dug up for harvest but then some portion is replanted in the same or another hole, keeping the plant alive to produce again the following year. By vegetable I mean leaves, leafstalks, shoots, flowers, flowerbuds (broccolis), tubers, corms, rhizomes, roots, pods, beans and other above- or below-ground parts that are eaten raw or cooked as a meal or side dish. In the case of fruits I means fruits that are cooked and eaten as a meal or side dish (e.g., eggplant), not dessert fruits (e.g., strawberries).

Climate Zones

These are based on those listed in Perennial Vegetables, which were developed for the US and Canada. I have added a few more climate types to make this a more global resource, though it is not a perfect fit in every case. Species listed in a climate zone will be perennial in all or most of that zone. Woody plants listed as “dieback” will be frost-killed but re-sprout to provide a legitimate harvest of some or all of their products (e.g., moringa will re-sprout and grow 15-20’, sometimes setting pods but always plenty of edible leaves.)

The Species

This is by no means a comprehensive list. However it includes the best I know of, with more marginal species added in for cold climates. Tropical species are mainly the best candidates as a much greater number of crops are available. I’ve added about ninety crops not profiled in Perennial Vegetables for a grand total of almost two hundred.

Region of Origin

Note that this is a global inventory of perennial vegetables. Always start with species native to your region and build out from there. Some of these species are, or could become, serious weeds outside of their native range. A single asterisk (*) in the “Origin” column indicates a terrestrial species that has or could naturalize aggressively. A double asterisk (**) indicates aquatic species, which are particularly likely to naturalize and should be grown with caution outside their native range. Please don’t have a heart attack about seeing air potato for example, remember it’s a global list, and it is native from Africa through Australia. You don’t have to grow it just because it is listed in your climate zone.

Form

Describes the form of the plant, from tree to cactus to herb etc. There’s a lot more than herbaceous perennials out there!

Edible Parts

Describes the edible portion used as a vegetable, as well as other edible uses. Note that most of these vegetables should be cooked. The notes indicate some species noted for toxicity, which absolutely must be cooked before eating.

Sun and Shade

Indicates light preferences. One of the great things about perennial vegetables is that there are so many for shade

Moisture

Preferred moisture including wet, mesic (medium), and dry. Also includes aquatic plant niches, including emergent aquatics (roots under water but leaves emerging above the water surface, from deep or shallow water), emergent floaters (similar but leaves floating at the water surface and not extending above it), floating aquatics (floating at the surface but not rooted into soil below), and submerged aquatics (completely underwater).

Notes

This column has information on nuisances like spines and stinging, as well as toxicity or other concerns.

EXTREME COLD: This region covers most of inland Canada as well as the northern U.S. and portions of Europe and Asia. It corresponds with USDA zones 1-3, and Sunset Zones 1, 44, and 45. Note that heavy snow cover can provide excellent insulation in this zone, but the short season and lack of hot summers are serious limiting factors.
Latin Name	Common Name	Origin	Form	Edible Parts	Sun & Shade	Moisture	Notes
Allium cernuum	nodding wild onion	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	dry to mesic
Asclepias syriaca, A. speciosa	showy & common milkweed	North America	herb	shoots, flowerbuds, young leaves, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Centranthus ruber	red valerian	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	dry to mesic
Helianthus maximiliani	Maximilan sunflower	North America	giant herb	shoots, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Helianthus tuberosus	sunchoke	Eastern North America	giant herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Lemna spp.	duckweed	Worldwide**	microherb	greens	sun	floating aquatic
Matteuccia struthiopteris	ostrich fern	Eurasia, North America	fern	shoots	part to shade	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Nasturtium officinale	watercress	Eurasia**	giant herb	leaves	sun	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Oxyria digyna	mountain sorrel	Eurasia, North America	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Perideridia gairdnerii	yampah	North America	herb	tubers	sun	wet to mesic
Rheum x cultorum	rhubarb	Eurasia	herb	leafstalks	sun	mesic	leaves and roots toxic
Sagittaria latifolia	arrowhead	North America**	herb	tubers, shoots	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Typha spp.	cattail	Worldwide**	grasslike	shoots, root shoots, root starch, flowerbuds, pollen	sun	shallow emergent aquatic to wet
Wolffia spp.	water meal	Worldwide**	microherb	greens	sun	floating aquatic

 

 

 

COLD TEMPERATE: This is a large and highly populated region covering much the eastern and central United States, as well as much of the warmer parts of Canada. Much of Europe and Asia, as some of temperate South America is in this climate type. This region corresponds with USDA Zones 4–7, and Sunset Zones 2–4, 6, 11, and 32–43.
Latin Name	Common Name	Origin	Form	Edible Parts	Sun & Shade	Moisture	Notes
Allium ampeloprasum	perennial leek	Eurasia	herb	whole plants	sun	mesic
Allium cepa aggregatum	multiplier onion	Eurasia	herb	bulbs	sun	mesic
Allium cepa proliferum	walking onion	Eurasia	herb	scallions	sun	mesic
Allium cernuum	nodding wild onion	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	dry to mesic
Allium fistulosum	Welsh onion	Eurasia	herb	scallions	sun	mesic
Allium tricoccum	ramps	North America	herb	whole plants	part to shade	wet to mesic
Allium tuberosum	garlic chives	Asia	herb	greens, flowerbuds	sun to part	dry to mesic
Apios americana	groundnut	North America	vine	tubers, beans	sun to part	wet to mesic
Aralia cordata	udo	Asia	giant herb	shoots	part shade	mesic
Arundinaria gigantea	river cane	North America*	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Asclepias syriaca, A. speciosa	showy & common milkweed	North America	herb	shoots, flowerbuds, young leaves, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Asparagus officinalis	asparagus	Eurasia	herb	shoots	sun	mesic
Asphodeline lutea	yellow asphodel	Eurasia	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Beta vulgaris maritima	sea beet	Eurasia*	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Bunias orientalis	Turkish rocket	Eurasia*	herb	greens, broccolis	sun to part	dry to mesic
Camassia cusickii	camass	Western North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Camassia leichtlinnii	camass	Western North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Camassia quamash	camass	Western North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Camassia scillioides	camass	Eastern North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Cedrella sinensis	fragrant spring tree	Asia	tree	greens	sun	mesic
Centranthus ruber	red valerian	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	dry to mesic
Chenopodium bonus-henricus	good King Henry	Eurasia	herb	greens, shoots, broccolis	sun to part	mesic
Cichorium intybus	chicory	Eurasia*	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Crambe cordifolia	colewort	Eurasia	herb	greens, broccolis	sun	dry to mesic
Crambe maritima	sea kale	Eurasia	herb	greens, broccolis, roots	sun	dry to mesic
Dioscorea japonica	jinenjo	Asia	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Dioscorea opposita	Chinese yam	Asia*	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Diplotaxis muralis, D. tenuifolia	sylvetta arugula	Mediterranean*	shrub, herb	greens	sun to part	dry to mesic
Hablitzia tamnoides	Caucasian spinach	Eurasia	vine	greens, shoots	part shade	dry to mesic
Helianthus maximiliani	Maximilan sunflower	North America	giant herb	shoots, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Helianthus tuberosus	sunchoke	Eastern North America	giant herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Hemerocallis spp.	daylily	Asia	herb	flowerbuds, flowers	sun to part	mesic
Laportaea canadensis	wood nettle	Eastern North America	herb	greens	part to shade	mesic	stings, must be cooked
Lemna spp.	duckweed	Worldwide**	microherb	greens	sun	floating aquatic
Levisticum officinale	lovage	Eurasia	herb	greens, shoots, leafstalks	sun to part	mesic
Lomatium spp.	biscuit root	North America	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Lycium chinense	leaf goji	Asia	shrub	greens, fruits	sun to part	mesic	spiny
Malva moschata	gumbo leaf mallow	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Matteuccia struthiopteris	ostrich fern	Eurasia, North America	fern	shoots	part to shade	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Morus alba	mulberry	Asia*	tree	greens, fruit	sun to part	dry to mesic	must be cooked
Nasturtium officinale	watercress	Eurasia**	giant herb	leaves	sun	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Nelumbo lutea	American lotus	North America**	giant herb	tubers, seeds	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Nelumbo nucifera	Chinese lotus	Eurasia**	giant herb	tubers, seeds	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Oenanthe javanica	water celery	New Guinea, Asia**	herb	greens	sun to part	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Oxyria digyna	mountain sorrel	Eurasia, North America	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Perideridia gairdnerii	yampah	North America	herb	tubers	sun	wet to mesic
Petasites japonicus	fuki	Asia*	giant herb	leafstalks	part to shade	wet to mesic
Phyllostachys spp.	running bamboo	Asia*	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Physalis heterophylla	clammy ground cherry	North America	herb	fruits	sun	mesic
Physalis longifolia	longleaf groundcherry	North America	herb	fruits	sun	mesic
Physalis pruinosa	ground cherry	North America	herb	fruits	sun	mesic
Phytolacca americana	pokeweed	North America*	giant herb	young shoots, cooked in three water changes	sun to part	mesic
Polygonatum commutatum	giant Solomon’s seal	Eastern North America	herb	shoots, tubers	sun to part	mesic
Rheum australe	Himalayan rhubarb	Eurasia	herb	leafstalks	sun	mesic	leaves and roots toxic
Rheum palmatum	turkey rhubarb	Eurasia	herb	leafstalks	sun	mesic	leaves and roots toxic
Rheum x cultorum	rhubarb	Eurasia	herb	leafstalks	sun	mesic	leaves and roots toxic
Rhus typhina	staghorn sumac	North America	shrub	shoots	sun	mesic
Rumex acetosa	French sorrel	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Rumex acetosella	sheep sorrel	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Rumex scutatus	buckler-leaf sorrel	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Sagittaria latifolia	arrowhead	North America**	herb	tubers, shoots	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Sasa kurilensis	running bamboo	Asia*	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Scorzonera hispanica	scorzonera	Eurasia	herb	leaves, roots, broccolis	sun	mesic
Semiarundinaria fastuosa	running bamboo	Asia*	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Sium sisarum	skirret	Asia	herb	tubers	sun to part	wet to mesic
Stachys sieboldii	Chinese artichoke, crosnes	Asia	herb	tubers	sun	wet to mesic
Taraxacum officinale	dandelion	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Tetragonia tetragonioides	New Zealand spinach	Australia	herb	greens	sun	dry to mesic
Tilia spp.	linden, lime, basswood	Eurasia, North America	tree	greens	sun to shade	mesic
Typha spp.	cattail	Worldwide**	grasslike	shoots, root shoots, root starch, flowerbuds, pollen	sun	shallow emergent aquatic to wet
Urtica dioica	stinging nettle	Eurasia, North America	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic	stings
Wolffia spp.	water meal	Worldwide**	microherb	greens	sun	floating aquatic

 

 

COOL MARITIME: From San Francisco north to Vancouver and the Alaska panhandle is a narrow, highly populated coastal region. This region corresponds with USDA Zones 8–9, and Sunset Zones 5 and 17. Much of Britain is similar, as are some mild southern hemisphere regions including New Zealand.
Latin Name	Common Name	Origin	Form	Edible Parts	Sun & Shade	Moisture	Notes
Allium ampeloprasum	perennial leek	Eurasia	herb	whole plants	sun	mesic
Allium cepa aggregatum	multiplier onion	Eurasia	herb	bulbs	sun	mesic
Allium cepa proliferum	walking onion	Eurasia	herb	scallions	sun	mesic
Allium cernuum	nodding wild onion	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	dry to mesic
Allium fistulosum	Welsh onion	Eurasia	herb	scallions	sun	mesic
Allium tuberosum	garlic chives	Asia	herb	greens, flowerbuds	sun to part	dry to mesic
Allium ursinum	ramsons	Eurasia	herb	whole plants	part to shade	wet to mesic
Apios americana	groundnut	North America	vine	tubers, beans	sun to part	wet to mesic
Apium prostratum filiforme	wild celery	Australia	herb	stalks	sun	wet to mesic
Aralia cordata	udo	Asia	giant herb	shoots	part shade	mesic
Asparagus officinalis	asparagus	Eurasia	herb	shoots	sun	mesic
Asphodeline lutea	yellow asphodel	Eurasia	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Atriplex halimus	saltbush	Mediterranean, North Africa	shrub	greens	sun	dry to mesic
Berula erecta	water parsnip	North America, Eurasia**	herb	greens	sun	wet
Beta vulgaris maritima	sea beet	Eurasia*	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica napus	“Western Front” kale	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea	wild cabbage	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea	“Colocha”	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea acephala	“Tree Collards”	Eurasia	shrub	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea alboglabra	Gai Lon	Eurasia	herb	greens, broccolis	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea botrytis	“9 Star” perennial broccoli	Eurasia	herb	greens, broccolis	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea ramosa	branching bush kales, “Dorbentons” kale	Eurasia	shrub	greens	sun	mesic
Bunias orientalis	Turkish rocket	Eurasia*	herb	greens, broccolis	sun to part	dry to mesic
Camassia cusickii	camass	Western North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Camassia leichtlinnii	camass	Western North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Camassia quamash	camass	Western North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Camassia scillioides	camass	Eastern North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Canna edulis	achira, edible canna	Andes	giant herb	tubers, shoots	sun to part	wet to mesic
Cedrella sinensis	fragrant spring tree	Asia	tree	greens	sun	mesic
Centranthus ruber	red valerian	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	dry to mesic
Chenopodium bonus-henricus	good King Henry	Eurasia	herb	greens, shoots, broccolis	sun to part	mesic
Cichorium intybus	chicory	Eurasia*	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Colocasia esculenta	taro	New Guinea, Asia	herb	tubers, greens	sun to part	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Crambe cordifolia	colewort	Eurasia	herb	greens, broccolis	sun	dry to mesic
Crambe maritima	sea kale	Eurasia	herb	greens, broccolis, roots	sun	dry to mesic
Cynara cardunculus	cardoon	Eurasia*	herb	leafstalks	sun	dry to mesic
Cynara scolymus	globe artichoke	Eurasia	herb	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic
Dioscorea opposita	Chinese yam	Asia*	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Diplotaxis muralis, D. tenuifolia	sylvetta arugula	Mediterranean*	shrub, herb	greens	sun to part	dry to mesic
Hablitzia tamnoides	Caucasian spinach	Eurasia	vine	greens, shoots	part shade	dry to mesic
Helianthus maximiliani	Maximilan sunflower	North America	giant herb	shoots, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Helianthus tuberosus	sunchoke	Eastern North America	giant herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Hemerocallis spp.	daylily	Asia	herb	flowerbuds, flowers	sun to part	mesic
Laportaea canadensis	wood nettle	Eastern North America	herb	greens	part to shade	mesic	stings, must be cooked
Levisticum officinale	lovage	Eurasia	herb	greens, shoots, leafstalks	sun to part	mesic
Lomatium spp.	biscuit root	North America	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Lycium chinense	leaf goji	Asia	shrub	greens, fruits	sun to part	mesic	spiny
Malva moschata	gumbo leaf mallow	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Marsdenia australis	bush banana, Austral doubah	Australia*	vine	pods, tubers, greens	sun	dry to mesic
Matteuccia struthiopteris	ostrich fern	Eurasia, North America	fern	shoots	part to shade	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Morus alba	mulberry	Asia*	tree	greens, fruit	sun to part	dry to mesic	must be cooked
Nasturtium officinale	watercress	Eurasia**	giant herb	leaves	sun	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Nelumbo lutea	American lotus	North America**	giant herb	tubers, seeds	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Nelumbo nucifera	Chinese lotus	Eurasia**	giant herb	tubers, seeds	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Oenanthe javanica	water celery	New Guinea, Asia**	herb	greens	sun to part	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Opuntia ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. streptacantha	nopale cactus, tuna	Mesoamerica*	cactus	pads, fruit	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Oxalis tuberosa	oca	Andes	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Oxyria digyna	mountain sorrel	Eurasia, North America	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Perideridia gairdnerii	yampah	North America	herb	tubers	sun	wet to mesic
Petasites japonicus	fuki	Asia*	giant herb	leafstalks	part to shade	wet to mesic
Phaseolus coccineus	runner bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans, pods	sun	mesic
Phaseolus lunatus	lima bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans	sun	dry to mesic
Phyllostachys spp.	running bamboo	Asia*	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Physalis peruviana	goldenberry	Andes	herb	fruits	sun	mesic
Phytolacca americana	pokeweed	North America*	giant herb	young shoots, cooked in three water changes	sun to part	mesic
Piper auritum	root beer leaf, hoja santa	Mesoamerica*	shrub	greens, leafstalks	sun to part	mesic
Polygonatum commutatum	giant Solomon’s seal	Eastern North America	herb	shoots, tubers	sun to part	mesic
Rheum australe	Himalayan rhubarb	Eurasia	herb	leafstalks	sun	mesic	leaves and roots toxic
Rheum palmatum	turkey rhubarb	Eurasia	herb	leafstalks	sun	mesic	leaves and roots toxic
Rheum x cultorum	rhubarb	Eurasia	herb	leafstalks	sun	mesic	leaves and roots toxic
Rhus typhina	staghorn sumac	North America	shrub	shoots	sun	mesic
Rumex acetosa	French sorrel	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Rumex acetosella	sheep sorrel	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Rumex scutatus	buckler-leaf sorrel	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Sagittaria latifolia	arrowhead	North America**	herb	tubers, shoots	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Sagittaria sinensis	Chinese arrowhead	Asia**	herb	tubers	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Sasa kurilensis	running bamboo	Asia*	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Scorzonera hispanica	scorzonera	Eurasia	herb	leaves, roots, broccolis	sun	mesic
Semiarundinaria fastuosa	running bamboo	Asia*	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Sium sisarum	skirret	Asia	herb	tubers	sun to part	wet to mesic
Smallianthus sonchifolia	yacon	Andes	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Solanum tuberosum	potato	Andes	herb	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Stachys sieboldii	Chinese artichoke, crosnes	Asia	herb	tubers	sun	wet to mesic
Taraxacum officinale	dandelion	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Tetragonia tetragonioides	New Zealand spinach	Australia	herb	greens	sun	dry to mesic
Tilia spp.	linden, lime, basswood	Eurasia, North America	tree	greens	sun to shade	mesic
Tropaeolum tuberosum	“Ken Aslett” mashua	Andes	vine	tubers, greens	sun	mesic
Typha spp.	cattail	Worldwide**	grasslike	shoots, root shoots, root starch, flowerbuds, pollen	sun	shallow emergent aquatic to wet
Urtica dioica	stinging nettle	Eurasia, North America	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic	stings
Yucca guatemalensis	izote	Mesoamerica	succulent	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	spiny

 

 

HOT AND HUMID: This warm band extends from east Texas through the coastal Carolinas. This region corresponds with USDA Zones 8–9 and Sunset Zones 26–28 and 31. This is not a tropical climate, though it features hot humid summers, winter temperatures drop below freezing, sometimes typical subtropical chilling and sometimes quite a bit colder.

Latin Name

Common Name

Origin

Form

Edible Parts

Sun & Shade

Moisture

Nots

Allium ampeloprasum

perennial leek

Eurasia

herb

whole plants

sun

mesic

Allium cepa aggregatum

multiplier onion

Eurasia

herb

bulbs

sun

mesic

Allium cepa proliferum

walking onion

Eurasia

herb

scallions

sun

mesic

Allium cernuum

nodding wild onion

Eurasia

herb

greens

sun to part

dry to mesic

Allium fistulosum

Welsh onion

Eurasia

herb

scallions

sun

mesic

Allium tuberosum

garlic chives

Asia

herb

greens, flowerbuds

sun to part

dry to mesic

Apios americana

groundnut

North America

vine

tubers, beans

sun to part

wet to mesic

Arundinaria gigantea

river cane

North America*

bamboo

shoots

sun to part

mesic

Asclepias syriaca, A. speciosa

showy & common milkweed

North America

herb

shoots, flowerbuds, young leaves, pods

sun

dry to mesic

Asparagus officinalis

asparagus

Eurasia

herb

shoots

sun

mesic

Bunias orientalis

Turkish rocket

Eurasia*

herb

greens, broccolis

sun to part

dry to mesic

Canna edulis

achira, edible canna

Andes

giant herb

tubers, shoots

sun to part

wet to mesic

Cedrella sinensis

fragrant spring tree

Asia

tree

greens

sun

mesic

Colocasia esculenta

taro

New Guinea, Asia

herb

tubers, greens

sun to part

wet to mesic

must be cooked

Crambe cordifolia

colewort

Eurasia

herb

greens, broccolis

sun

dry to mesic

Cynara scolymus

globe artichoke

Eurasia

herb

flowerbuds

sun

dry to mesic

Dioscorea bulbifera

air potato

Asia, Africa, Australia*

vine

tubers

sun

mesic

must be cooked, some forms toxic

Dioscorea opposita

Chinese yam

Asia*

vine

tubers

sun

mesic

must be cooked

Diplotaxis muralis, D. tenuifolia

sylvetta arugula

Mediterranean*

shrub, herb

greens

sun to part

dry to mesic

Helianthus tuberosus

sunchoke

Eastern North America

giant herb

tubers

sun

mesic

Hemerocallis spp.

daylily

Asia

herb

flowerbuds, flowers

sun to part

mesic

Maranta arundinacea

arrowroot

Amazonia

herb

tubers

sun

mesic

Moringa oleifera

moringa

Africa

dieback tree

greens, pods, bark, tubers, seeds

sun

dry to mesic

Moringa stenopetala

African moringa

Africa

dieback tree

greens, pods

sun

dry to mesic

Morus alba

mulberry

Asia*

tree

greens, fruit

sun to part

dry to mesic

must be cooked

Nasturtium officinale

watercress

Eurasia**

giant herb

leaves

sun

emergent floating aquatic to wet

Nelumbo lutea

American lotus

North America**

giant herb

tubers, seeds

sun

deep emergent aquatic

Nelumbo nucifera

Chinese lotus

Eurasia**

giant herb

tubers, seeds

sun

deep emergent aquatic

Opuntia ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. streptacantha

nopale cactus, tuna

Mesoamerica*

cactus

pads, fruit

sun

dry to mesic

spiny

Phaseolus lunatus

lima bean

Mesoamerica

vine

beans

sun

dry to mesic

Physalis peruviana

goldenberry

Andes

herb

fruits

sun

mesic

Phytolacca americana

pokeweed

North America*

giant herb

young shoots, cooked in three water changes

sun to part

mesic

Piper auritum

root beer leaf, hoja santa

Mesoamerica*

shrub

greens, leafstalks

sun to part

mesic

Psophocarpus tetragonobolus

“Day Neutral” winged bean

New Guinea, Asia

vine

beans, tubers, flowers, greens, pods

sun

mesic

Sagittaria latifolia

arrowhead

North America**

herb

tubers, shoots

sun

deep emergent aquatic

Sagittaria sinensis

Chinese arrowhead

Asia**

herb

tubers

sun

deep emergent aquatic

Sechium edule

chayote

Mesoamerica*

vine

fruit, greens, tubers

sun

mesic

Smallianthus sonchifolia

yacon

Andes

herb

tubers

sun

mesic

Typha spp.

cattail

Worldwide**

grasslike

shoots, root shoots, root starch, flowerbuds, pollen

sun

shallow emergent aquatic to wet

Urtica dioica

stinging nettle

Eurasia, North America

herb

greens

sun to part

mesic

stings

 

ARID & HOT: This region covers the low and mid-elevation deserts and hot drylands of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and southwestern California. This region corresponds with USDA Zones 8–10 and Sunset Zones 10, 12, 13, 29, and 30. These are subtropical deserts or somewhat colder. Large areas of Australia and Latin America are in this climate type.
Latin Name	Common Name	Origin	Form	Edible Parts	Sun & Shade	Moisture	Notes
Acacia holosericea, A. murrayana, A victoriae	edible seed acacias	Australia*	tree	dry beans	sun	dry	spiny
Agave parreyi, A. chrysantha, A. deserti, A. utahensis, A. palmeri	hardy agaves	Western North America	succulent	hearts	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Agave salmiana, A. tequilana	tropical agaves	Mesoamerica	succulent	hearts	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Allium tuberosum	garlic chives	Asia	herb	greens, flowerbuds	sun to part	dry to mesic
Cajanus cajan	pigeon pea	Asia	shrub	beans, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Cercidium microphyllum	palo verde	Western North America	tree	beans	sun	dry
Cnidoscolus chayamansa	chaya	Mesoamerica	dieback shrub	greens	sun	dry to mesic	cyanide: must cook
Cnidoscolus palmeri	bull nettle	Mesoamerica	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic	stings
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa	cholla	Western North America	cactus	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	extremely spiny
Cymopteris spp.	gamote	Western North America	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Moringa oleifera	moringa	Africa	dieback tree	greens, pods, bark, tubers, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Moringa stenopetala	African moringa	Africa	tree	greens, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Morus alba	mulberry	Asia*	tree	greens, fruit	sun to part	dry to mesic	must be cooked
Opuntia ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. streptacantha	nopale cactus, tuna	Mesoamerica*	cactus	pads, fruit	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Phaseolus coccineus	runner bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans, pods	sun	mesic
Phaseolus lunatus	lima bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans	sun	dry to mesic
Phaseolus polysanthus	cache bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans	sun	mesic
Plectranthus esculentus	Livingstone potato	Africa	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Tylosema esculentum	marama bean	Africa	vine	beans, tuber	sun	dry
Yucca guatemalensis	izote	Mesoamerica	succulent	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	spiny

 

 

MILD MEDITERRANEAN: Southern and central California has a mild climate well suited to perennial vegetables. This region corresponds with USDA Zones 8–10 and Sunset Zones 7–9, 14, 15, 16, and 18–25. Much of Australia, southern South America, soutern Africa, and of course the Mediterranean are similar.
Latin Name	Common Name	Origin	Form	Edible Parts	Sun & Shade	Moisture	Notes
Abelmoschus esculentus	perennial okra	Africa	shrub	pods, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Acacia holosericea, A. murrayana, A victoriae	edible seed acacias	Australia*	tree	dry beans	sun	dry	spiny
Agave parreyi, A. chrysantha, A. deserti, A. utahensis, A. palmeri	hardy agaves	Western North America	succulent	hearts	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Agave salmiana, A. tequilana	tropical agaves	Mesoamerica	succulent	hearts	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Allium ampeloprasum	perennial leek	Eurasia	herb	whole plants	sun	mesic
Allium cepa aggregatum	multiplier onion	Eurasia	herb	bulbs	sun	mesic
Allium cepa proliferum	walking onion	Eurasia	herb	scallions	sun	mesic
Allium fistulosum	Welsh onion	Eurasia	herb	scallions	sun	mesic
Allium tuberosum	garlic chives	Asia	herb	greens, flowerbuds	sun to part	dry to mesic
Apium prostratum filiforme	wild celery	Australia	herb	stalks	sun	wet to mesic
Aponogeton distachios	water hawthorn	Africa**	herb	flowerbuds, greens	sun	emergent floating aquatic
Aralia cordata	udo	Asia	giant herb	shoots	part shade	mesic
Asparagus officinalis	asparagus	Eurasia	herb	shoots	sun	mesic
Asphodeline lutea	yellow asphodel	Eurasia	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Atriplex halimus	saltbush	Mediterranean, North Africa	shrub	greens	sun	dry to mesic
Berula erecta	water parsnip	North America, Eurasia**	herb	greens	sun	wet
Beta vulgaris maritima	sea beet	Eurasia*	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica napus	“Western Front” kale	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea	wild cabbage	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea	“Colocha”	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea acephala	“Tree Collards”	Eurasia	shrub	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea alboglabra	Gai Lon	Eurasia	herb	greens, broccolis	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea botrytis	“9 Star” perennial broccoli	Eurasia	herb	greens, broccolis	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea ramosa	branching bush kales, “Dorbentons” kale	Eurasia	shrub	greens	sun	mesic
Bunias orientalis	Turkish rocket	Eurasia*	herb	greens, broccolis	sun to part	dry to mesic
Camassia cusickii	camass	Western North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Camassia leichtlinnii	camass	Western North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Camassia quamash	camass	Western North America	herb	bulbs	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Canna edulis	achira, edible canna	Andes	giant herb	tubers, shoots	sun to part	wet to mesic
Carica pentaloba	babaco	Andes	tree	fruit	sun	mesic
Cedrella sinensis	fragrant spring tree	Asia	tree	greens	sun	mesic
Centranthus ruber	red valerian	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	dry to mesic
Chenopodium bonus-henricus	good King Henry	Eurasia	herb	greens, shoots, broccolis	sun to part	mesic
Cichorium intybus	chicory	Eurasia*	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Cnidoscolus chayamansa	chaya	Mesoamerica	shrub	greens	sun	dry to mesic	cyanide: must cook
Colocasia esculenta	taro	New Guinea, Asia	herb	tubers, greens	sun to part	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Crambe cordifolia	colewort	Eurasia	herb	greens, broccolis	sun	dry to mesic
Crambe maritima	sea kale	Eurasia	herb	greens, broccolis, roots	sun	dry to mesic
Crotolaria longirostrata	chipilin	Mesoamerica*	shrub	greens	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Cucurbita ficifolia	figleaf gourd, chilacayote	Mesoamerica	vine	fruit, seeds	sun	mesic
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa	cholla	Western North America	cactus	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	extremely spiny
Cynara cardunculus	cardoon	Eurasia*	herb	leafstalks	sun	dry to mesic
Cynara scolymus	globe artichoke	Eurasia	herb	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic
Cyperus esculentus sativus	chufa	Africa, worldwide	grasslike	tubers	sun	wet to mesic	sterile strain of global weed
Dioscorea japonica	jinenjo	Asia	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Dioscorea opposita	Chinese yam	Asia*	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Dioscorea trifida	cush cush yam	Amazonia	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Diplotaxis muralis, D. tenuifolia	sylvetta arugula	Mediterranean*	shrub, herb	greens	sun to part	dry to mesic
Dolichos lablab	lablab bean	Africa	vine	beans, pods, flowers, greens, tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Eleocharis dulcis	water chestnut	Asia**	grasslike	corms	sun	shallow emergent aquatic to wet
Ensete ventricosum	enset	Africa	giant herb	starchy trunk, tuber	sun	mesic
Hablitzia tamnoides	Caucasian spinach	Eurasia	vine	greens, shoots	part shade	dry to mesic
Helianthus maximiliani	Maximilan sunflower	North America	giant herb	shoots, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Helianthus tuberosus	sunchoke	Eastern North America	giant herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Hemerocallis spp.	daylily	Asia	herb	flowerbuds, flowers	sun to part	mesic
Hibiscus acetosella	cranberry hibiscus	Africa	shrub	greens	sun	mesic
Ipomoea batatas	sweet potato, boniato	Amazonia	herb	tubers, greens	sun to part	mesic
Levisticum officinale	lovage	Eurasia	herb	greens, shoots, leafstalks	sun to part	mesic
Lycium chinense	leaf goji	Asia	shrub	greens, fruits	sun to part	mesic	spiny
Malva moschata	gumbo leaf mallow	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Marsdenia australis	bush banana, Austral doubah	Australia*	vine	pods, tubers, greens	sun	dry to mesic
Moringa oleifera	moringa	Africa	dieback tree	greens, pods, bark, tubers, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Moringa stenopetala	African moringa	Africa	dieback tree	greens, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Morus alba	mulberry	Asia*	tree	greens, fruit	sun to part	dry to mesic	must be cooked
Nasturtium officinale	watercress	Eurasia**	giant herb	leaves	sun	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Nelumbo lutea	American lotus	North America**	giant herb	tubers, seeds	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Nelumbo nucifera	Chinese lotus	Eurasia**	giant herb	tubers, seeds	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Oenanthe javanica	water celery	New Guinea, Asia**	herb	greens	sun to part	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Opuntia ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. streptacantha	nopale cactus, tuna	Mesoamerica*	cactus	pads, fruit	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Oxalis tuberosa	oca	Andes	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Oxyria digyna	mountain sorrel	Eurasia, North America	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Perideridia gairdnerii	yampah	North America	herb	tubers	sun	wet to mesic
Petasites japonicus	fuki	Asia*	giant herb	leafstalks	part to shade	wet to mesic
Phaseolus coccineus	runner bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans, pods	sun	mesic
Phaseolus lunatus	lima bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans	sun	dry to mesic
Phaseolus polysanthus	cache bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans	sun	mesic
Phyllostachys spp.	running bamboo	Asia*	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Physalis peruviana	goldenberry	Andes	herb	fruits	sun	mesic
Physalis pruinosa	ground cherry	North America	herb	fruits	sun	mesic
Piper auritum	root beer leaf, hoja santa	Mesoamerica*	shrub	greens, leafstalks	sun to part	mesic
Plectranthus esculentus	Livingstone potato	Africa	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Psophocarpus tetragonobolus	“Day Neutral” winged bean	New Guinea, Asia	vine	beans, tubers, flowers, greens, pods	sun	mesic
Rheum australe	Himalayan rhubarb	Eurasia	herb	leafstalks	sun	mesic	leaves and roots toxic
Rheum palmatum	turkey rhubarb	Eurasia	herb	leafstalks	sun	mesic	leaves and roots toxic
Rheum x cultorum	rhubarb	Eurasia	herb	leafstalks	sun	mesic	leaves and roots toxic
Rumex acetosa	French sorrel	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Rumex acetosella	sheep sorrel	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Rumex scutatus	buckler-leaf sorrel	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Scorzonera hispanica	scorzonera	Eurasia	herb	leaves, roots, broccolis	sun	mesic
Sium sisarum	skirret	Asia	herb	tubers	sun to part	wet to mesic
Smallianthus sonchifolia	yacon	Andes	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Solanum muricatum	pepino melon	Andes	herb	fruits	sun	mesic
Solanum tuberosum	potato	Andes	herb	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Solonostemon rotundifolius	hausa potato	Africa	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Stachys sieboldii	Chinese artichoke, crosnes	Asia	herb	tubers	sun	wet to mesic
Taraxacum officinale	dandelion	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Tetragonia tetragonioides	New Zealand spinach	Australia	herb	greens	sun	dry to mesic
Tilia spp.	linden, lime, basswood	Eurasia, North America	tree	greens	sun to shade	mesic
Tropaeolum tuberosum	“Ken Aslett” mashua	Andes	vine	tubers, greens	sun	mesic
Tropaeolum tuberosum	mashua	Andes	vine	tubers, greens	sun	mesic
Typha spp.	cattail	Worldwide**	grasslike	shoots, root shoots, root starch, flowerbuds, pollen	sun	shallow emergent aquatic to wet
Ullucus tuberosus	ulluco	Andes	vine	tuber, greens	sun	mesic
Urtica dioica	stinging nettle	Eurasia, North America	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic	stings
Yucca guatemalensis	izote	Mesoamerica	succulent	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	spiny

 

 

LOWLAND MONSOON AND HUMID TROPICS: Lowland Hawaii and south Florida are proper tropical climates, completely free of frost all year. This region corresponds with USDA Zones 10–12 and Sunset Zone 25. This climate type could cover monsoon and humid tropical lowlands throughout the world.
Latin Name	Common Name	Origin	Form	Edible Parts	Sun & Shade	Moisture	Notes
Abelmoschus esculentus	perennial okra	Africa	shrub	pods, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Abelmoschus manihot	edible hibiscus	New Guinea	shrub	leaves	sun	mesic
Adansonia digitata	baobab	Africa	tree	leaves, fruit, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Agave salmiana, A. tequilana	tropical agaves	Mesoamerica	succulent	hearts	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Allium fistulosum	Welsh onion	Eurasia	herb	scallions	sun	mesic
Allium tuberosum	garlic chives	Asia	herb	greens, flowerbuds	sun to part	dry to mesic
Alocasia macrhorrhizos	giant taro	New Guinea, Australia, Asia, Pacific	giant herb	starchy trunk, leaves	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Alternanthera sissoo	sissoo spinach	Amazonia	herb	greens	part shade	mesic
Aponogeton distachios	water hawthorn	Africa**	herb	flowerbuds, greens	sun	emergent floating aquatic
Aponogeton madagascarensis	water yam	Africa**	herb	tubers	sun	submerged aquatic
Artocarpus altilis	breadfruit	New Guinea, Asia	tree	fruit, nuts	sun	mesic
Artocarpus heterophylla	jakfruit	Asia	tree	young fruit as veg, fruit, nuts, greens	sun	mesic
Bambusa spp.	clumping bamboo	Asia	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Basella alba	Malabar spinach	Asia	vine	greens	sun	mesic
Cajanus cajan	pigeon pea	Asia	shrub	beans, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Canna edulis	achira, edible canna	Andes	giant herb	tubers, shoots	sun to part	wet to mesic
Carica papaya	papaya	Mesoamerica	tree	fruit	sun	mesic
Ceratopteris thalyctroides	water hornfern	Asia**	fern	greens	sun to shade	submerged aquatic to wet
Chamaedora tepijelote	tepijelote	Mesoamerica	palm	flowerbuds	part to shade	mesic
Cnidoscolus chayamansa	chaya	Mesoamerica	shrub	greens	sun	dry to mesic	cyanide: must cook
Cnidoscolus palmeri	bull nettle	Mesoamerica	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic	stings
Cnidoscolus stimulosus	spurge nettle	Eastern North America	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic	stings
Coccinia grandis	ivy gourd, perennial cucumber	Africa, Asia*	vine	greens, fruit	sun	mesic
Colocasia esculenta	taro	New Guinea, Asia	herb	tubers, greens	sun to part	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa	cholla	Western North America	cactus	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	extremely spiny
Dendrocalamus spp.	clumping bamboo	Asia	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Dioscorea alata	white yam	Asia	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Dioscorea bulbifera	air potato	Asia, Africa, Australia*	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked, some forms toxic
Dioscorea esculenta	Asiatic lesser yam	Asia	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Dioscorea trifida	cush cush yam	Amazonia	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Dolichos lablab	lablab bean	Africa	vine	beans, pods, flowers, greens, tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Eleocharis dulcis	water chestnut	Asia**	grasslike	corms	sun	shallow emergent aquatic to wet
Euryale ferox	gorgon plant	Asia**	giant herb		sun	deep emergent floating aquatic
Gigantochloa spp.	clumping bamboo	Asia	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Gnetum africanum	African jointfir	Africa	woody vine	greens	shade	?
Gnetum gnemon	jointfir	Asia	tree	greens, nuts	part to shade	mesic
Gynura crepioides	Okinawa spinach	Asia	herb	greens	sun to part	mesic
Hibiscus acetosella	cranberry hibiscus	Africa	shrub	greens	sun	mesic
Ipomoea aquatica	water spinach	Asia**	herb	greens	sun	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Ipomoea batatas	sweet potato, boniato	Amazonia	herb	tubers, greens	sun to part	mesic
Lemna spp.	duckweed	Worldwide**	microherb	greens	sun	floating aquatic
Leucaena esculenta	guaje	Mesoamerica	tree	fresh beans	sun	dry to mesic
Manihot esculenta	cassava, yuca, manioc	Amazonia	shrub		sun	dry to mesic	some forms require processing to remove cyanide
Maranta arundinacea	arrowroot	Amazonia	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Momordica charantica	bitter gourd	Asia	vine	fruit	sun	mesic
Moringa oleifera	moringa	Africa	tree	greens, pods, bark, tubers, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Moringa stenopetala	African moringa	Africa	tree	greens, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Morus alba	mulberry	Asia*	tree	greens, fruit	sun to part	dry to mesic	must be cooked
Musa x paradisica	banana, plantain	New Guinea, Asia	giant herb	fruits, flowerbud	sun	wet to mesic
Nasturtium officinale	watercress	Eurasia**	giant herb	leaves	sun	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Nastus elatus	clumping bamboo	Asia	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Nelumbo nucifera	Chinese lotus	Eurasia**	giant herb	tubers, seeds	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Opuntia ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. streptacantha	nopale cactus, tuna	Mesoamerica*	cactus	pads, fruit	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Phaseolus lunatus	lima bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans	sun	dry to mesic
Piper auritum	root beer leaf, hoja santa	Mesoamerica*	shrub	greens, leafstalks	sun to part	mesic
Plectranthus esculentus	Livingstone potato	Africa	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Psophocarpus tetragonobolus	“Day Neutral” winged bean	New Guinea, Asia	vine	beans, tubers, flowers, greens, pods	sun	mesic
Psophocarpus tetragonobolus	winged bean	New Guinea, Asia	vine	beans, tubers, flowers, greens, pods	sun	mesic
Sagittaria sinensis	Chinese arrowhead	Asia**	herb	tubers	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Sauropus androgynous	katuk	Asia	shrub	greens	part to shade	mesic
Sechium edule	chayote	Mesoamerica*	vine	fruit, greens, tubers	sun	mesic
Sesbania grandiflora	hummingbird tree	Asia  *	tree	flowers	sun	dry to mesic
Setaria palmifolia	highlands pitpit	New Guinea	grass	shoots	sun	mesic
Solanum melongena	eggplant	Asia, Africa	shrub	fruits	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Solonostemon rotundifolius	hausa potato	Africa	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Sphenostylis stenocarpa	African yambean	Africa	vine	tubers, beans, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Telfairia occidentalis	fluted gourd	Africa*	vine	greens, nuts	sun	mesic
Trichostigma octandrum	Haitian basket vine	Mesoamerica, Amazonia, Florida, Caribbean	shrub, vine	greens	sun to shade	mesic
Triglochin spp.	Australian arrowgrass	Australia**	grasslike	tubers	sun	shallow emergent aquatic
Wolffia spp.	water meal	Worldwide**	microherb	greens	sun	floating aquatic
Xanthosoma brasiliense	belembe, taioba	Amazonia	herb	greens	sun to part	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Xanthosoma saggitifolium	cocoyam	Amazonia	herb	tubers	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Xanthosoma violaceum	violet-stem taro	Amazonia	herb	greens	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Yucca guatemalensis	izote	Mesoamerica	succulent	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	spiny

 

 

LOWLAND ARID TROPICS: Proper lowland arid tropics are absent from the US and Canada but an important climate type worldwide in Asia, Africa, Latin America and parts of Australia.
Latin Name	Common Name	Origin	Form	Edible Parts	Sun & Shade	Moisture	Notes
Abelmoschus esculentus	perennial okra	Africa	shrub	pods, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Acacia holosericea, A. murrayana, A victoriae	edible seed acacias	Australia*	tree	dry beans	sun	dry	spiny
Adansonia digitata	baobab	Africa	tree	leaves, fruit, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Agave salmiana, A. tequilana	tropical agaves	Mesoamerica	succulent	hearts	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Allium tuberosum	garlic chives	Asia	herb	greens, flowerbuds	sun to part	dry to mesic
Cajanus cajan	pigeon pea	Asia	shrub	beans, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Cercidium microphyllum	palo verde	Western North America	tree	beans	sun	dry
Cnidoscolus chayamansa	chaya	Mesoamerica	shrub	greens	sun	dry to mesic	cyanide: must cook
Cnidoscolus palmeri	bull nettle	Mesoamerica	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic	stings
Cnidoscolus stimulosus	spurge nettle	Eastern North America	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic	stings
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa	cholla	Western North America	cactus	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	extremely spiny
Dolichos lablab	lablab bean	Africa	vine	beans, pods, flowers, greens, tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Leucaena esculenta	guaje	Mesoamerica	tree	fresh beans	sun	dry to mesic
Manihot esculenta	cassava, yuca, manioc	Amazonia	shrub		sun	dry to mesic	some forms require processing to remove cyanide
Moringa oleifera	moringa	Africa	tree	greens, pods, bark, tubers, seeds	sun	dry to mesic
Moringa stenopetala	African moringa	Africa	tree	greens, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Morus alba	mulberry	Asia*	tree	greens, fruit	sun to part	dry to mesic	must be cooked
Opuntia ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. streptacantha	nopale cactus, tuna	Mesoamerica*	cactus	pads, fruit	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Phaseolus lunatus	lima bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans	sun	dry to mesic
Plectranthus esculentus	Livingstone potato	Africa	herb	tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Sesbania grandiflora	hummingbird tree	Asia  *	tree	flowers	sun	dry to mesic
Sphenostylis stenocarpa	African yambean	Africa	vine	tubers, beans, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Tylosema esculentum	marama bean	Africa	vine	beans, tuber	sun	dry
Yucca guatemalensis	izote	Mesoamerica	succulent	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	spiny

 

TROPICAL HIGHLANDS – MONSOON TO HUMID: Within the United States and Canada, this region occurs only in Hawaii over although worldwide it is an important climate type. My definition is anything over 1500 meters elevation, including African, Latin American, New Guinean, and Asian highlands with sufficient moisture.
Latin Name	Common Name	Origin	Form	Edible Parts	Sun & Shade	Moisture	Notes
Allium fistulosum	Welsh onion	Eurasia	herb	scallions	sun	mesic
Allium tuberosum	garlic chives	Asia	herb	greens, flowerbuds	sun to part	dry to mesic
Alocasia macrhorrhizos	giant taro	New Guinea, Australia, Asia, Pacific	giant herb	starchy trunk, leaves	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Arracacia xanthorhiza	arracacha	Andes	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Bambusa spp.	clumping bamboo	Asia	bamboo	shoots	sun to part	mesic
Brassica oleracea	“Colocha”	Eurasia	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Brassica oleracea acephala	“Tree Collards”	Eurasia	shrub	greens	sun	mesic
Cajanus cajan	pigeon pea	Asia	shrub	beans, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Canna edulis	achira, edible canna	Andes	giant herb	tubers, shoots	sun to part	wet to mesic
Carica pentaloba	babaco	Andes	tree	fruit	sun	mesic
Chamaedora tepijelote	tepijelote	Mesoamerica	palm	flowerbuds	part to shade	mesic
Cnidoscolus chayamansa	chaya	Mesoamerica	shrub	greens	sun	dry to mesic	cyanide: must cook
Coccinia grandis	ivy gourd, perennial cucumber	Africa, Asia*	vine	greens, fruit	sun	mesic
Colocasia esculenta	taro	New Guinea, Asia	herb	tubers, greens	sun to part	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Crotolaria longirostrata	chipilin	Mesoamerica*	shrub	greens	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Cucurbita ficifolia	figleaf gourd, chilacayote	Mesoamerica	vine	fruit, seeds	sun	mesic
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa	cholla	Western North America	cactus	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	extremely spiny
Dioscorea alata	white yam	Asia	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Dioscorea bulbifera	air potato	Asia, Africa, Australia*	vine	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked, some forms toxic
Dolichos lablab	lablab bean	Africa	vine	beans, pods, flowers, greens, tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Eleocharis dulcis	water chestnut	Asia**	grasslike	corms	sun	shallow emergent aquatic to wet
Ensete ventricosum	enset	Africa	giant herb	starchy trunk, tuber	sun	mesic
Erythrina edulis	chachafruto	Andes	tree	beans	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Helianthus tuberosus	sunchoke	Eastern North America	giant herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Hibiscus acetosella	cranberry hibiscus	Africa	shrub	greens	sun	mesic
Ipomoea batatas	sweet potato, boniato	Amazonia	herb	tubers, greens	sun to part	mesic
Lycium chinense	leaf goji	Asia	shrub	greens, fruits	sun to part	mesic	spiny
Manihot esculenta	cassava, yuca, manioc	Amazonia	shrub		sun	dry to mesic	some forms require processing to remove cyanide
Maranta arundinacea	arrowroot	Amazonia	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Moringa stenopetala	African moringa	Africa	tree	greens, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Morus alba	mulberry	Asia*	tree	greens, fruit	sun to part	dry to mesic	must be cooked
Musa x paradisica	banana, plantain	New Guinea, Asia	giant herb	fruits, flowerbud	sun	wet to mesic
Nasturtium officinale	watercress	Eurasia**	giant herb	leaves	sun	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Nelumbo nucifera	Chinese lotus	Eurasia**	giant herb	tubers, seeds	sun	deep emergent aquatic
Oenanthe javanica	water celery	New Guinea, Asia**	herb	greens	sun to part	emergent floating aquatic to wet
Opuntia ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. streptacantha	nopale cactus, tuna	Mesoamerica*	cactus	pads, fruit	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Oxalis tuberosa	oca	Andes	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Phaseolus coccineus	runner bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans, pods	sun	mesic
Phaseolus lunatus	lima bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans	sun	dry to mesic
Physalis peruviana	goldenberry	Andes	herb	fruits	sun	mesic
Piper auritum	root beer leaf, hoja santa	Mesoamerica*	shrub	greens, leafstalks	sun to part	mesic
Psophocarpus tetragonobolus	“Day Neutral” winged bean	New Guinea, Asia	vine	beans, tubers, flowers, greens, pods	sun	mesic
Psophocarpus tetragonobolus	winged bean	New Guinea, Asia	vine	beans, tubers, flowers, greens, pods	sun	mesic
Rungia klossii	rungia	New Guinea	herb	greens	sun	mesic
Sechium edule	chayote	Mesoamerica*	vine	fruit, greens, tubers	sun	mesic
Smallianthus sonchifolia	yacon	Andes	herb	tubers	sun	mesic
Solanum melongena	eggplant	Asia, Africa	shrub	fruits	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Solanum tuberosum	potato	Andes	herb	tubers	sun	mesic	must be cooked
Sphenostylis stenocarpa	African yambean	Africa	vine	tubers, beans, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Telfairia occidentalis	fluted gourd	Africa*	vine	greens, nuts	sun	mesic
Tropaeolum tuberosum	“Ken Aslett” mashua	Andes	vine	tubers, greens	sun	mesic
Tropaeolum tuberosum	mashua	Andes	vine	tubers, greens	sun	mesic
Ullucus tuberosus	ulluco	Andes	vine	tuber, greens	sun	mesic
Xanthosoma saggitifolium	cocoyam	Amazonia	herb	tubers	sun	wet to mesic	must be cooked
Yucca guatemalensis	izote	Mesoamerica	succulent	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	spiny

 

 

TROPICAL HIGHLANDS – ARID: Arid highland over 1500 meters elevation,from Ethiopia tothe Mexican altiplano and beyond.
Latin Name	Common Name	Origin	Form	Edible Parts	Sun & Shade	Moisture	Notes
Allium tuberosum	garlic chives	Asia	herb	greens, flowerbuds	sun to part	dry to mesic
Cajanus cajan	pigeon pea	Asia	shrub	beans, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Cnidoscolus chayamansa	chaya	Mesoamerica	shrub	greens	sun	dry to mesic	cyanide: must cook
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa	cholla	Western North America	cactus	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	extremely spiny
Dolichos lablab	lablab bean	Africa	vine	beans, pods, flowers, greens, tubers	sun	dry to mesic
Manihot esculenta	cassava, yuca, manioc	Amazonia	shrub		sun	dry to mesic	some forms require processing to remove cyanide
Moringa stenopetala	African moringa	Africa	tree	greens, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Morus alba	mulberry	Asia*	tree	greens, fruit	sun to part	dry to mesic	must be cooked
Opuntia ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. streptacantha	nopale cactus, tuna	Mesoamerica*	cactus	pads, fruit	sun	dry to mesic	spiny
Phaseolus lunatus	lima bean	Mesoamerica	vine	beans	sun	dry to mesic
Sphenostylis stenocarpa	African yambean	Africa	vine	tubers, beans, pods	sun	dry to mesic
Yucca guatemalensis	izote	Mesoamerica	succulent	flowerbuds	sun	dry to mesic	spiny