Topic: wierd new tubers

[misterphil]

Whilst browsing, I came across this link:

http://www.permaculture.co.uk/mag/Articles/Plant_Profile_Part2.html

Has anyone any experience of the plants discussed? :

• quamash
• Oxalis tuberosa
• hardy YAM, Dioscorea batatas

As someone who can't resit a wierd plant where a normal one would do, it has me interested, I must admit!

Dos anyone know of suppliers in the UK?

[Palustris]

Quamash is Camassia esculenta, dead easy to grow and bulbs are freely available in Autumn. I don't think we paid more than 99p for 10, but don't quote me on that. Never tried eating them though. Flowers rather like a paler smaller agapanthus so nice even if you do not like the taste. Sets copious seed, but probably takes about 3 years to reach flowering size.
The others I have not tried.

[jennym]

Don't know about Camassia esculenta, but have tried Dasheen (or called Taro), Clocasia esculenta and the tubers are eaten like potato, they have a chestnutty sort of taste. I am going to have a go at growing these this year, (from tubers bought at greengrocers) but I wouldn't eat the leaves, just the tubers. Links here:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MV059  and  http://waynesword.palomar.edu/vege1.htm

Note: I understand that Cammassia esculenta should NOT be eaten by pregnant women as it may induce contractions, I do not know about Clocasia esculenta however, it would be wise to check this.

[bupster]

Chiltern seeds sell Dioscorea batatas, and http://www.unusualherbsandedibles.co.uk/edibles/ sell oxalis tuberosis. Thanks for link! Now yet more stuff to buy.... No sign of quamash yet. Might try US sites.

[bupster]

http://www.unusualherbsandedibles.co.uk/edibles/ do quamash too! Just found their website today. Oh dear....

[mat]

see http://www.edulis.co.uk/

under the "Nursery" tab, there is a link to their comprehensive catalogue.  They give information on each item - and they sell more than you would ever imagine

A good book is "Growing unusual vegetables" see http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1899233113/qid=1142429271/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-4147204-7104439

This book inspired me to buy loads from Edulis (they are close to me, and I luckily they also went to the potato day) (though I didn't buy the items you list)

mat