GRAINS AND VEGETABLES
Abelmoschus esculentes Okra, Kacang bendi Malvaceae
Long cultivated in parts of Africa and Asia (where it originated), this 6 ft (1.8 m) tall annual was taken to the Americas with slaves from West Africa and has remained a traditional ingredient of many dishes in the USA as deep south.
It is an attractive plant with red-eyed yellow flowers.
Both flower buds and the long starchy immature pods are eaten.
Okra requires a long hot summer for successful growth.
Cultivation: They are mostly grown as summer annuals, requiring fertile, well drained soil, a sheltered position in full sun, and plentiful water.
Propagate from seed.
Rust disease can be a problem: spray with a fungicide.
It is an attractive plant with red-eyed yellow flowers.
Both flower buds and the long starchy immature pods are eaten.
Okra requires a long hot summer for successful growth.
Cultivation: They are mostly grown as summer annuals, requiring fertile, well drained soil, a sheltered position in full sun, and plentiful water.
Propagate from seed.
Rust disease can be a problem: spray with a fungicide.
Capsicum annuum Chili pepper, Lada Solonaceae
Despite the specific name, the plants vary from bushy annuals to quite long-lived shrubs up to 6 ft (1.8 m) tall. The well known Grossum Group includes the main salad peppersÑpimento, bell and sweet peppers.
The Longum Group includes the cayenne peppers and paprika and banana peppers, with elongated and usually curved, moderately hot to very hot fruits.
The Conoides Group includes forms with erect, conical fruits, most small and hot, some grown as ornamentals with multi-colored fruitsRed Missile is a typical example. Its fruit start out creamy white and ripen purple through red. The Cerasiforme Group (cherry peppers) have small, hot, globular to egg-shaped fruit; some of these are also used as ornamentals.The Fasciculatum Group, known as red cone peppers, have clustered, erect, elongated fruits.Within each group there is a range of cultivars of varying shades of red, yellow, green and purple, and in many shapes and sizes.
Cultivation: The larger-fruited chillies and sweet peppers, as well as the shorter-lived of the small chillies, are grown in the vegetable garden, requiring a long, warm, humid season to ripen their fruit. The shrubby chillies require only a sheltered spot against a wall and are easily propagated from cuttings.
The Longum Group includes the cayenne peppers and paprika and banana peppers, with elongated and usually curved, moderately hot to very hot fruits.
The Conoides Group includes forms with erect, conical fruits, most small and hot, some grown as ornamentals with multi-colored fruitsRed Missile is a typical example. Its fruit start out creamy white and ripen purple through red. The Cerasiforme Group (cherry peppers) have small, hot, globular to egg-shaped fruit; some of these are also used as ornamentals.The Fasciculatum Group, known as red cone peppers, have clustered, erect, elongated fruits.Within each group there is a range of cultivars of varying shades of red, yellow, green and purple, and in many shapes and sizes.
Cultivation: The larger-fruited chillies and sweet peppers, as well as the shorter-lived of the small chillies, are grown in the vegetable garden, requiring a long, warm, humid season to ripen their fruit. The shrubby chillies require only a sheltered spot against a wall and are easily propagated from cuttings.
Cucurbita pepo Pumpkin, Labu Cucurbitaceae
Originating in subtropical South America, this species has long-running stems and large, nearly circular leaves that are hardly lobed.
The feature by which it is recognized is the fruit stalk, which is large, not ridged, and of a soft corky texture.
It includes a large group of pumpkins with very hard blue-gray or orange skins, including the gigantic show pumpkins, some of the pumpkins used for livestock feed, and some of the winter squashes including a great variety of shapes, sizes and colors, often with ornamented skins.
Cultivation: Most species of this genus are easy to raise and have the same need of a warm, rich soil. Watering all seedlings well before planting.
They do best planted on raised mounds of soil mixed with well rotted compost and manure.
The feature by which it is recognized is the fruit stalk, which is large, not ridged, and of a soft corky texture.
It includes a large group of pumpkins with very hard blue-gray or orange skins, including the gigantic show pumpkins, some of the pumpkins used for livestock feed, and some of the winter squashes including a great variety of shapes, sizes and colors, often with ornamented skins.
Cultivation: Most species of this genus are easy to raise and have the same need of a warm, rich soil. Watering all seedlings well before planting.
They do best planted on raised mounds of soil mixed with well rotted compost and manure.
Ipomoea batatas Sweet potato Convolvulaceae
From Central America and the Pacific islands, this perennial climber comes in both a white-fleshed and, more recently, an orange-fleshed variety.
It has entire, toothed or 3-lobed leaves and flowers with a lavender to pale purple tube that is darker on the inside.
Plant cuttings in rows 3 ft (1 m) apart in soil that has been fertilized and dug thoroughly; keep the young plants clear of weeds and water well while the tubers grow.
Harvesting ranges from 16 weeks to 40 weeks after planting.
Position: Sunny, Semi-Shaded
Cultivation:They prefer moderately fertile, well-drained soil and a sunny position.
Propagate from seed which has been gently filed and pre-soaked to aid germination, or from
cuttings (for perennial species).
It has entire, toothed or 3-lobed leaves and flowers with a lavender to pale purple tube that is darker on the inside.
Plant cuttings in rows 3 ft (1 m) apart in soil that has been fertilized and dug thoroughly; keep the young plants clear of weeds and water well while the tubers grow.
Harvesting ranges from 16 weeks to 40 weeks after planting.
Position: Sunny, Semi-Shaded
Cultivation:They prefer moderately fertile, well-drained soil and a sunny position.
Propagate from seed which has been gently filed and pre-soaked to aid germination, or from
cuttings (for perennial species).
Lycopersicom Tomato Solanaceae
The fruit are generally red or yellow and vary considerably in size and shape among the numerous cultivars.
At harvest time, vine-ripened fruit are definitely the best.
Among the most widely grown traditional red cultivars are Beefsteak, tall, with large rounded fruit, Grosse Lisse, very sweet with large, soft fruit, and Rouge de Marmande with large, ribbed fruit. Yellow Pear yields big crops of 2 in (5 cm), golden-yellow, pear-shaped fruit. Red Pear is similar except that the fruit are red. The elongated Roma tomatoes, popular in Italy, include Super Roma and Plumito. A novel group in gardens of the West are the eastern European black tomatoes, an example being Black Russian. Cherry tomatoes, sometimes designated by the name Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme, bear long decorative strings of cherry-size red, orange or yellow fruit. Another small-fruited species L. pimpinellifolium is sometimes cultivated and has been used by plant breeders in recent years to introduce new genes to cherry tomatoes.
Cultivation: Tomatoes require a long, warm growing season. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil . Position stakes before planting and set plants about 24 in (60 cm) apart. Keep soil moist but not too wet and feed regularly while fruit are developing.
A variety of pests and diseases attack tomatoes, and disease resistance is one of the main aims of breeders.
At harvest time, vine-ripened fruit are definitely the best.
Among the most widely grown traditional red cultivars are Beefsteak, tall, with large rounded fruit, Grosse Lisse, very sweet with large, soft fruit, and Rouge de Marmande with large, ribbed fruit. Yellow Pear yields big crops of 2 in (5 cm), golden-yellow, pear-shaped fruit. Red Pear is similar except that the fruit are red. The elongated Roma tomatoes, popular in Italy, include Super Roma and Plumito. A novel group in gardens of the West are the eastern European black tomatoes, an example being Black Russian. Cherry tomatoes, sometimes designated by the name Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme, bear long decorative strings of cherry-size red, orange or yellow fruit. Another small-fruited species L. pimpinellifolium is sometimes cultivated and has been used by plant breeders in recent years to introduce new genes to cherry tomatoes.
Cultivation: Tomatoes require a long, warm growing season. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil . Position stakes before planting and set plants about 24 in (60 cm) apart. Keep soil moist but not too wet and feed regularly while fruit are developing.
A variety of pests and diseases attack tomatoes, and disease resistance is one of the main aims of breeders.
Manihot esculente Tapioca, Ubi Kayu Euphorbiaceae
A variable species, cassava is a shrubby perennial 3-10 ft (1-3 m) high with palmately lobed leaves of up to 9 lance-shaped leaflets.
The roots, which radiate from the base of the plant, may grow up to 4 ft (1.2 m) long and contain about 30 per cent starch.
Cassava meal, obtained from the tuberous roots, is used in soaps and puddings, to preserve meat and sauces and as a glue.
A form of sugar, various alcoholic drinks and acetone are other end products.
Cyanide is also obtained from the roots.
Cultivation: The plants require a warm wet growing season followed by a dry period.
Excellent drainage is required. Propagate from cuttings of mature stem about 6 in 15 cm long.
The roots, which radiate from the base of the plant, may grow up to 4 ft (1.2 m) long and contain about 30 per cent starch.
Cassava meal, obtained from the tuberous roots, is used in soaps and puddings, to preserve meat and sauces and as a glue.
A form of sugar, various alcoholic drinks and acetone are other end products.
Cyanide is also obtained from the roots.
Cultivation: The plants require a warm wet growing season followed by a dry period.
Excellent drainage is required. Propagate from cuttings of mature stem about 6 in 15 cm long.
Metroxylum sagu Sago palm, Sagu Palmae
Sago palm is indigenous to the South Pacific region where it occurs as a fresh water swamp tree. Large hectareage of sago exists in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Sabah
Sago palm produces tillers or suckers. The original palm dies after producing a huge terminal inflorescence with formation of fruits and then one or more of the suckers takes over.
A sago palm trunk contains starch. The starch can be extracted. A mature sago palm often attains an overall height of some 10 _ 15 m. The trunk can weight well over one tonne with a diameter of 40-50 cm without leaf sheaths 10-12 years after planting.
A healthy sago palm has a crown of 12 to 18 fronds. The fronds are arranged in spiral ascending manner. The rate of leaf formation is one per month.
The palm possesses complete and male flowers and only flowers once, at the final stage of life, forming an enormous terminal inflorescence.
The flowering period lasts about two months and the time taken from development of the inflorescence to the formation of ripe fruits is about two years. Sago palms are cross-pollinated . Sago palm grew well in various soil either with a high water table.
The trunk is harvested for starch extraction. Sago flour is a valuable source of carbohydrates and widely used by the local food industries. It is also used in the manufacturing of monosodium glutamate high fructose syrup, Glucose, maltose, dextrose and caramel.
In decaying trunks, grubs, especially Rhynchophorus spp., may grow. These are considered a delicacy by all sago growers. The grubs are eaten fresh or roasted. The young shoots of 4-5 years old sago palm produce shoots or palm heart or cabbage that can be eaten as food. The roots are used for medicinal purpose for the relieve of fever and headaches. Ripe fruit is edible with a sourly bitter taste. It can also be used as medicinal purpose to decrease high blood pressure.
Sago palm produces tillers or suckers. The original palm dies after producing a huge terminal inflorescence with formation of fruits and then one or more of the suckers takes over.
A sago palm trunk contains starch. The starch can be extracted. A mature sago palm often attains an overall height of some 10 _ 15 m. The trunk can weight well over one tonne with a diameter of 40-50 cm without leaf sheaths 10-12 years after planting.
A healthy sago palm has a crown of 12 to 18 fronds. The fronds are arranged in spiral ascending manner. The rate of leaf formation is one per month.
The palm possesses complete and male flowers and only flowers once, at the final stage of life, forming an enormous terminal inflorescence.
The flowering period lasts about two months and the time taken from development of the inflorescence to the formation of ripe fruits is about two years. Sago palms are cross-pollinated . Sago palm grew well in various soil either with a high water table.
The trunk is harvested for starch extraction. Sago flour is a valuable source of carbohydrates and widely used by the local food industries. It is also used in the manufacturing of monosodium glutamate high fructose syrup, Glucose, maltose, dextrose and caramel.
In decaying trunks, grubs, especially Rhynchophorus spp., may grow. These are considered a delicacy by all sago growers. The grubs are eaten fresh or roasted. The young shoots of 4-5 years old sago palm produce shoots or palm heart or cabbage that can be eaten as food. The roots are used for medicinal purpose for the relieve of fever and headaches. Ripe fruit is edible with a sourly bitter taste. It can also be used as medicinal purpose to decrease high blood pressure.
Oryza sativa Rice, Padi Graminae
Family:Gramineae .Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of about 20 species of aquatic or swamp-dwelling, annual or perennial grasses in this genus, occurring wild in warmer parts of Africa, Asia and Australia. They have loose panicles of compressed flowering spikelets that ripen to edible grains. The only species to have been domesticated, rice is thought to havebeen cultivated in China for about 5,000 years. Today, almost all of east Asia is wholly dependent upon rice as a staple food
Cultivation: Rice needs a long hot growing season and requires abundant water. The seeds are sown in nursery beds or trays and when about 6 in (15 cm) high they are transplanted in spring to a well-fertilized level plot or paddy which must be submerged under water about 2-4 in (5-10 cm) deep for a large part of the summer growing season. When the rice is ready to harvest, the water is drained from the field. For ornamental purposes, rice can be grown in pots that are submerged in shallow water in a sunny position near a water feature or pond.
Cultivation: Rice needs a long hot growing season and requires abundant water. The seeds are sown in nursery beds or trays and when about 6 in (15 cm) high they are transplanted in spring to a well-fertilized level plot or paddy which must be submerged under water about 2-4 in (5-10 cm) deep for a large part of the summer growing season. When the rice is ready to harvest, the water is drained from the field. For ornamental purposes, rice can be grown in pots that are submerged in shallow water in a sunny position near a water feature or pond.
Zea mays Sweet corn, Jagung Gramineae
This robust, erect annual grass grows to 12 ft (3.5 m) tall and has arching, lance-shaped, waxy leaves.
It produces terminal panicles of male racemes to 8 in (20 cm) in length, and female inflorescences of the same length.
The flowers are followed by cobs with usually yellow, sweet, edible grains.
Golden Beauty is a much-admired cultivar.
Cultivation: Grow in full sun in fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Propagate from seed .
They may be prone to aphids. This genus consists of 4 species of annual and, rarely, perennial grasses from Central America. They bear terminal male panicles with solitary ÔearsÕ; the female inflorescences have numerous spikelets in rows on a thick axis.
The female flowers have a long silky style enclosed within a husk; these are followed by a cob of fleshy kernels. There are ornamental cultivars as well as the cereal crops; these are grown for their variegated leaves and multicolored cobs.
It produces terminal panicles of male racemes to 8 in (20 cm) in length, and female inflorescences of the same length.
The flowers are followed by cobs with usually yellow, sweet, edible grains.
Golden Beauty is a much-admired cultivar.
Cultivation: Grow in full sun in fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Propagate from seed .
They may be prone to aphids. This genus consists of 4 species of annual and, rarely, perennial grasses from Central America. They bear terminal male panicles with solitary ÔearsÕ; the female inflorescences have numerous spikelets in rows on a thick axis.
The female flowers have a long silky style enclosed within a husk; these are followed by a cob of fleshy kernels. There are ornamental cultivars as well as the cereal crops; these are grown for their variegated leaves and multicolored cobs.
Conditions of Use and Important Information: This information on the above herb is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects.
The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. These supplements mentioned are not intended to cure, treat, diagnose or prevent disease. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only.
Kelab Rakan-Rakan Herba KK Sabah does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence.
Site design and webmaster : Ganesan. T Questions or concerns can be directed to the webmaster at [email protected]
The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. These supplements mentioned are not intended to cure, treat, diagnose or prevent disease. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only.
Kelab Rakan-Rakan Herba KK Sabah does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence.
Site design and webmaster : Ganesan. T Questions or concerns can be directed to the webmaster at [email protected]