Herb latin name: Streptopus streptopoides


Synonyms: Smilacena streptopoides, Streptopus brevipes


Family: Convallariaceae



Edible parts of Streptopus streptopoides:

Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked. A cucumber flavour. Fruit - raw or cooked. A watermelon flavour.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
30 cm
(11 3/4 inch)

Flowering:
July to
August

Habitat of the herb:

Dense coniferous mid-montane woods. Moist woods, river banks and alder thickets.

Propagation of Streptopus streptopoides:

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as soon as it is received. The seed, especially if it has been stored, can be very slow to germinate, sometimes taking 18 months or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady part of the greenhouse or cold frame. It will normally take 2 or more growing seasons before the roots are large enough to plant out - this is best done when the plant is dormant in the autumn. Division as the plant comes into growth in early spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first year, planting them out in the following spring.

Cultivation of the herb:

Dense coniferous mid-montane woods. Moist woods, river banks and alder thickets.

Medicinal use of Streptopus streptopoides:

None known

Known hazards of Streptopus streptopoides:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.