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Acmella
oleracea
syn. Spilanthes acmella
Toothache plant
Asteraceae
The plant has been sold as Spilanthes acmella ‘Brede McFane’.
It has no particular odor but is memorable in terms of flavor. First impression
is slightly salty and not unpleasant, but this rapidly develops into a
tingling, burning sensation that leaves the mouth numb – hence the
name toothache plant Brède mafane is the key ingredient in le romazava,
the Madagascan national dish.
Sources:
Richters Herbs, Goodwood, Ontario L0C 1A0 Canada.
Horizon Herbs, PO Box 69, Williams, OR 97544.
Pinetree Garden Seeds, PO Box 300, New Gloucester, ME 04260.
References:
Bown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs &
Their Uses. London/New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2001.
Katzer, Gernot. Gernot
Katzer’s Spice Pages [online].
Wikipedia
[online].
Armoracia
rusticana ‘Variegata’
Variegated horseradish
Brassicaceae
Horseradish is invasiveness and the dock-like leaves and insignificant
flowers could never be described as ornamental. What a difference the
variegation makes! The drab green, dock-like foliage is transformed by
ivory marbling into something almost exotic. Variegation is often virus-induced
and therefore weakens a plant, which can be an advantage in invasive species.
Source:
Nichols Garden Nursery, 1190 Old Salem Rd. NE, Albany, OR 97321.
References:
Bown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs &
Their Uses. London/New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2001.
Tucker, Arthur and Thomas DeBaggio. The Big Book of Herbs. Lovemand,
Colorado: Interweave Press. 2000.
Conradina
verticillata
Cumberland rosemary
Lamiaceae
Cumberland rosemary is an endangered native American species from the
SE United States. The common name arose because there are colonies along
the Cumberland River and because the plant has narrow leaves, about one
inch long, that at first glance resemble those of rosemary. The foliage
is also aromatic like rosemary, although to my nose it smells more minty
than rosemary-like. This attractive plant has huge potential as an ornamental.
It is an evergreen shrub, hardy in zones 5-7. This is one of the most
exciting “new” herbs I have come across for many years. Given
that this is a native American species and is endangered – and,
as far as I can tell, is almost entirely unknown as a culinary herb –
it is a MUST for both the Promising Plants program and for the up-coming
conservation program.
Sources:
Gro Wild Inc., 7190 Hill Hughes Rd., Fairview, TN 37062.
Devion Nursery, 5853 Hwy. 182, Opelousas, LA 70570.
References:
Center for Plant Conservation
[online].
Plants for a Future [online].
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [online].
Sideritis
syriaca
Greek mountain tea
Greek mountain tea has aromatic, densely woolly, silvery-grey leaves
and equally woolly stems. Whorls of 6-10 primrose-yellow, tubular flowers
are produced in woolly spikes from summer to autumn. Greek mountain tea
reaches 12-20”. Hardiness is generally given as Z8 or Z8-10 but
in my experience plants can survive lower winter temperatures if kept
on the dry side at the roots and protected from excessive rain and/or
snow lying on the foliage. Like cats, they hate having wet fur!
Source:
Richters Herbs, Goodwood, Ontario L0C 1A0 Canada.
References:
Bown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs &
Their Uses. London/New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2001.
Plants for a Future [online].
Actaea
racemosa
syn.Cimicifuga racemosa
Black cohosh
Black bugbane
Black snakeroot
Squawroot
Ranunculaceae
Besides being valued as a lovely woodland plant for shade gardens black
cohosh has a long medicinal history beginning with this country's earlier
inhabitants. In the past few years black cohosh has become increasingly
popular as the most widely-used natural alternative to hormone replacement
therapy (HRT). The herb's popularity with middle-aged women and gynecologists
grew significantly after the summer of 2002 when a large-scale government-sponsored
clinical trial on HRT was halted. A 2006 clinical trial testing the popular
herb black cohosh is inconsistent with the positive outcomes for treating
menopause symptoms seen in the majority of published clinical trials,
says the American Botanical Council, the leading herbal nonproft research
and education organization.
Sources:
Horizon Herbs, PO Box 69, Williams, OR 97544.
Always Summer Herbs, 199 Magill Rd., Slippery Rock, PA 16057.
Sandy Mush Herb Nursery, 316 Surrett Cove Rd., Leicester, NC 28748.
References:
American Botanical Council. Herbalgram, Issues 71 & 72. P.O.Box
144345, Austin TX 78714.
American Botanical Council Member Advisory. Black Cohosh Clinical
Trial Not Representative of Previous Research Showing Positive Results.
December 21, 2006.
Applequist, Wendy. The Identification of Medicinal Plants, A Handbook
of the Morphology of Botanicals in Commerce. St. Louis: Missouri
Botanical Garden Press, 2006.
Bown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs &
Their Uses. London/New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2001.
Cech, Richo. Making Plant Medicine. Williams, OR: Horizon Herbs,
2000.
Foster, Steven and James A. Duke. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants,
Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co, 1990.
Poliomintha
incana
syn.Hedeoma incana
Rosemary bushmint
Rosemary mint
Frosted mint
Lamiaceae
This is a very aromatic medium-sized shrub (3'); perennial in Zones 8-9
from Arizona (Apache, Navajo and Coconino counties) west to California,
south to Mexico where it thrives in dry, sunny, sandy locations with low
humidity at elevations of 4,000-6,000 feet. The entire plant has a white
coating of minute felt-like hairs. The gray-green mint-scented flat leaves
of Poliomintha incana are similar to those of rosemary.
References:
Bown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs &
Their Uses. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2001.
Elmore, Francis H. and Jeanne R. Janish. Shrubs and Trees of the Southwest
Uplands. Tucson AZ: Southwest Parks and Monument Association, 1976.
Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia II, A Source Book of Edible Plants,
Vista CA: Kampong Publications, 1998.
Kearney, Thomas H. and Robert H. Peebles and collaborators, 2nd ed. with
Supplement by John Thomas Howell, Elizabeth McClintock and collaborators.
Arizona Flora. Berkeley/Los Angeles/London: University of California
Press, 1960.
Staphylea
trifolia
American bladdernut
Staphyleaceae
American bladdernut is a small native tree ranging from Quebec to Ontario
and Minnesota, south to Georgia & Missouri (cultivated since 1640),
hardy in Zones 4-8. It produces abundant 1/3" white bell flowers
on nodding 1 1/2 to 2" long panicles during April & May followed
by inflated balloon-like fruit containing 3-5 hard seeds. The Iroquois
used infusions of the bark as a wash for sore faces and as a (body) wash
to keep children from crying. Seeds are considered to be sacred by the
Meskwaki tribe and used in gourd rattles for dream & medicine dances.
Sources:
Woodlanders, Inc. 1128 Colleton Ave., Aiken,
SC 29801
References:
Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Their Identification,
Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses, 5th ed.
Champaign IL: Stipes Publishing, 1998.
Moerman, Daniel E. Native American Ethnobotany. Portland OR:
Timber Press Inc., 1998.
Wikipedia
[online]
Aloysia
virgata
Almond verbena
Verbenaceae
Almond verbena is a woody perennial. Small white flowers are borne in
4” to 8” axillary racemes. The ethereal sweet almond or vanilla-like
fragrance can stop you in your tracks! Butterflies, bees, and many other
insects enjoy it. This plant is virtually pest-free and prefers full sun
to partial shade and is hardy into USDA zone 8 and possibly root hardy
into zone 7. It has low water requirements and is tolerant of high temperatures.
Sources:
Yucca Do Nursery, P.O. Box 907, Hempstead, TX 77445.
Almost Eden, 1028 East First St., DeRidder, LA 70634.
References:
Arnold, Michael A. Landscape Plants for Texas, Third Edition.
Not yet in print.
Ricciardi, Gabriela A.L., Torres, Ana M., et al. Essential oil of Aloysia
virgata var. platyphylla (Briquet) Moldenke from Corrientes
(Argentina), published in Flavour and Fragrance Journal Volume
20, Issue 6. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Boehmeria
nipononivea ‘Kogane
Mushi’
Golden ramie
Uticaceae
Japanese ramie (Boehmeria nipononivea) is very similar in appearance
to its Chinese cousin, but is of smaller stature and more ornamental use
in the garden. It is also reported to be more cold-hardy. A new selection
of Japanese ramie called `Kogane Mushi', or simply golden ramie, has marbled
leaves of green and gold variegation and makes a beautiful color contrast
in the summer and fall garden. Japanese ramie is hardy into USDA zone
6.
Source:
Plant Delights, Inc. 9241 Sauls Rd., Raleigh, NC 27603.
References:
Levetin, Estelle and Karen McMahon. Plants and Society. Williams
C. Brown Publishers. 1996.
Lewington, Anna. Plants for People. Oxford University Press.
1990.
Simpson, Beryl B. and Molly C. Ogorzaly. Economic Botany. McGraw-Hill.
1991.
Camptotheca
acuminata
Chinese tree of joy
Chinese tree of love
Happy tree of China
Nyssaceae
The Chinese tree of joy is a fast growing deciduous tree that was first
introduced into the United States by the USDA in 1911. In its native lands
it is valued as an ornamental tree and for its medicinal qualities, which
the Chinese have employed for many centuries. In addition to its wonderful
ornamental qualities, the tree of joy has proven itself useful in modern
medicine. Its bark, roots, seeds, and leaves yield a potent alkaloid known
as camptothecin. This promising drug has been used to treat various types
of cancer. Camptotheca acuminatas is hardy in USDA zone 8 and south.
Source:
Woodlanders, Inc., 1128 Colleton Ave., Aiken, SC 29801.
References:
Lowery, Lynn R. Camptotheca acuminata. American Nurseryman. March
1, 1995.
PhytoMedical/Plant Derived Drugs [online}. 9-Nitro-Camptothecin.
Oenanthe
javanica ‘Flamingo’
Variegated water dropwort
Variegated water parsley
Variegated water celery
Apiaceae
Water parsley is a low, spreading herbaceous perennial with pinnate leaves,
much like its cousins parsley and celery. It has tiny white flowers that
are borne in umbels. It can grow in very boggy or average soils, can be
eaten, and has medicinal qualities. Keeping it in an area of average moisture
will help to keep it in bounds. The variety 'Flamingo' has beautiful variegation.
The small serrated leaflets are colored in cream, green, and pink. This
variety is purported to be tamer than the green form, but I can attest
to the fact that it is still very vigorous.
Sources:
Goodwin Creek Gardens, PO Box 83, Williams, OR 97544.
Hughes Water Gardens, 25289 SW Stafford Rd., Tualatin, OR 97062.
References:
Bown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs &
Their Uses. London/New York: Dorling Kindersley. 2001.
Plants
for a Future [online].
Stephens, James M. Water
Celery - Oenanthe javanica D.C. or O. stolonifera Wall. 1994 [online].
Salvia
coccinea ‘Brenthurst’
Brenthurst Texas sage
Lamiaceae
The species Salvia coccinea is well known for its brilliant red
flowers. Salvia coccinea ‘Brenthurst.’ S. ‘Brenthurst’
displays most unique and very attractive deep coral or salmon-colored
flowers on foot long racemes well above the dark green, slightly hairy
foliage. The flowers themselves have a subtle two-tone effect as the upper
lip of the corolla is slightly lighter—almost whitish— in
color than the broader and darker colored lower lip beneath. Like the
species, this plant should be considered a tender perennial for all but
the more mild climates.
Source:
Select Seed, 180 Stickney Hill Rd., Union, CT 06075.
Rosmarinus
officinalis ‘Capercaillie’
Lamiaceae
This is a rosemary from Downderry Nursery in England. I am impressed by
this creeping or prostrate rosemary. It was first introduced about 2-3
years ago from Scotland but I haven’t as yet ascertained where it
originally came from. The Scottish name ‘Capercaillie’ actually
refers to an endangered wood grouse (Tetrao urogallus). Characteristics
of this Scottish grouse are mimicked in this rosemary’s habit of
growth, as 2-3-foot long, evergreen branches seem to emanate from the
plant’s crown in a roughly fan-like manner.
Amaranthus
cruenthus xpowelli
Hopi red dye amaranth
Amaranthaceae
This plant is native to Mexico and Central America. It is a naturally
occurring hybrid. Native people use the flower heads to make a red dye
to color “piki” bread (a ceremonial cornbread), wool, cotton
and baskets. The black seeds are edible; they can be sprouted, popped,
cooked whole or ground into a high protein gluten-free flour. Young leaves
are cooked as a potherb. It is a tall, bushy annual which grows to 6 feet
tall with oblong to lanceolate purple-green leaves. Tiny flowers with
crimson bracts are in upright, many-branched terminal panicles up to 18
inches tall.
Source:
Native Seeds/SEARCH, 526 N. 4th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705.
Seeds of Change, PO Box 15700, Santa Fe, NM 87506-5700.
Companion Plants, 7247 N. Coolville Ridge Rd., Athens, OH 45701.
Territorial Seed Co. PO Box 158, Cottage Grove, OR 97424
References:
Colton, Mary-Russell Ferrell. Hopi Dyes. Museum of Northern Arizona
Press, 1978.
Liles, J.N. The Art and Craft of Natural Dyeing: Traditional Recipes
for Modern Use. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press, 1990.
Coreopsis
tinctoria
Dyer’s tickseed
Asteraceae
Coreopsis tinctoria is an annual dye plant native to the western
two thirds of North America. The pigments produce yellows, oranges and
reds depending on many variables. Disk flowers are maroon, and ray flowers
are all maroon to all yellow through varying amounts of maroon at the
base and yellow at the tip. I grow the maroon form of this dye plant simply
because it is more unusual than the many yellow and yellow with maroon
forms. The dye pigments are not appreciably different among the various
forms.
Sources:
Maroon form: Seeds of Change, PO Box 15700, Santa Fe, NM 87506-5700
Yellow form: Richter’s Herb Specialists, Goodwood, ON LOC 1AO, Canada.
Maroon and variegated forms: Thompson and Morgan, PO Box 1308, Jackson,
NJ 08527-0308.
References:
Cannon, John and Margaret. Dye Plants and Dyeing. Portland, Oregon:
Timber Press, 1994.
Liles, J.N. The Art and Craft of Natural Dyeing: Traditional Recipes
for Modern Use. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press, 1990.
Cotinus
coggygria
Smoketree
Smokebush
Anacardiaceae
Smoke tree is a source of the classic dye pigment young fustic, which
gives a clear yellow with tin and alum mordants. This dye has been used
since the Middle Ages as an over-dye on fabric dyed with indigo or woad
to obtain Saxon Green. Other colors produced with different mordants include
pink, orange-tan and gingery-tan. Twigs, wood chips, bark chips or sawdust
are used as the pigment source. Cotinus coggygria is a large shrub to
small tree, to 15 feet x 15 feet when mature. Flowers are small but are
borne on 6- to 8-inch showy, terminal panicles adorned with long hairs
that give the visual effect of smoke.
Sources: many retail nurseries.
References:
Bliss, Anne. Handbook of Dyes From Natural Sources. New York:
Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1981.
Cannon, John and Margaret. Dye Plants and Dyeing. Portland, Oregon:
Timber Press, 1994.
Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Their Identification,
Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses, 5th ed.
Champaign IL: Stipes Publishing, 1998.
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