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ACACIA
NEW—Acacia simplicifolia (=simplex) (5,h) R-ACAC-117. Packet: $6.00
10 seed: $10.00, 50 seed: $35.00
Extremely rare tree or shrub to 40 feet, with broad, oval, pointed 2 - 4" leaves, and small flower-balls followed by 6" pods. Endemic to New Caledonia and Vanuatu, often growing in seashore dunes. Does well in Florida—try it in S. California and Texas. "This tree thrives on abuse. It seems to grow with no water, highly alkaline soil, and strong sunlight. It is remarkable. My trees were submerged in salt water during a storm and did not even blink."—H.P., Florida Keys. Nick seed to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks. Scarce as hen's teeth!
To maximize germination of these expensive seed: Nick seed lightly with a file - just abrade the surface and don't go all the way to the quick - then soak for 15 minutes in a solution made of 1 part household bleach and 8 parts water. Rinse them well. Fold a paper towel into quarters and moisten with distilled water. Squeeze out excess, so it is just damp, and put on a clean plate. Put the seeds (nicked side down) on the towel and cover with plastic wrap, leaving an air space above the seeds. Keep in a warm place (70 - 80°F) and inspect every day. Any seeds that don't swell in a day or two should be re-nicked and re-sterilized. Any seeds that develop mold should be removed and re-sterilized and put on a separate plate - most of these will sprout, too, but this keeps the others clean. When the roots are a half-inch long, plant the seed in a light, well-drained seed-starting mix, and keep warm. If you have had trouble with these in the past, try this method and you are sure to be successful! This method gives high germination.
CHAEROPHYLLUM (kee-ro-FIL-um)
UMBELLIFERAE. Scented annuals, biennials and perennials with divided leaves and small white flowers. Several species are grown for food & flavoring. The seed can be tricky to germinate. Best sown in fall or stratified over winter to germinate in spring. If sown in spring, they will germinate the next spring. Try 4 - 8 weeks cold treatment, and let me know your results.
—Chaerophyllum bulbosum. (c,v) R-CHAER-6. Packet: $2.50
'TURNIP ROOTED CHERVIL'. Biennial or short-lived perennial to 3 - 5 feet, with deeply cut foliage. Europe. Grown for the sweet, aromatic, edible roots, which are like short, fat carrots, about 4 - 5" long, grey or black skinned, with yellow or white flesh. Seldom seen in this country, the boiled roots are highly esteemed in Europe. They have a distinctive aromatic flavor, and are sweet and floury. Needs deep rich soil and frequent waterings. Harvest roots when foliage dies back in summer, though they are said to improve in quality if left in the ground for a month. "The great value of this vegetable... is not only its deliciousness to the epicure but the earliness of its maturity, fully supplying the place of potatoes."—F. Webster.
CIMICIFUGA
—Cimicifuga ramosa atropurpurea. (c,v) R-CIMI-23A. Packet: $3.00
Attractive purple-red palmately-lobed foliage, on a tall hardy perennial to 6 feet, with nodding 16" racemes of small creamy flowers in fall. Kamchatka. Zone 4. Give 6 weeks warm, then 6 - 8 weeks cold, and hold pots over two years.
EUPHORBIA
—Euphorbia pentagona. (d,v) R-EUPH-109. Packet: $3.00
Cactus-like shrub to 10 feet, with many 1 1/2" thick, 5 - 8-angled branches, bright glossy green turning grey with age. Small buff-lavender flowers. S. Africa. Zone 7. CITES App. II endangered species. Seed dormant, try GA-3.
MONODORA (mo-NO-dor-a)
ANNONACEAE. Tropical African trees and shrubs.
—Monodora Myristica. (5) R-MONO-16. Packet: $5.00
Fresh Seed Just Arrived in April 2010: 25 Seed: $15.00, 100 Seed: $40.00
Click for photo » Flower
'CALABASH NUTMEG', 'AFRICAN NUTMEG'. Spectacular rare tree. Amazing fragrant flowers that dangle from the tree on 8" peduncles. Each has three large 4" wings that are red netted creamy yellow, around a globe-shaped cream center. Softball-sized fruits with nutmeg-scented pulp. Tree to 20 - 100 feet, with drooping 20" leaves. W. Africa. The seeds have a nutmeg flavor, and are used as a spice and medicinally.
ROMNEYA (ROM-nee-a)
PAPAVERACEAE. Two species.
—Romneya Coulteri. (d,v) R-ROMN-1. Packet: $3.00
Gram: $6.00, 5 grams: $15.00
'MATILIJA POPPY' (pronounced ma-TEE-lee-ya). A magnificent shrub to 3 - 8 feet, with huge crinkled papery white fragrant flowers to 6" across, with bright yellow stamens, staying open for several days. Divided leathery grey-green foliage. Canyons of south coastal California, but surprisingly hardy and successful in the North if planted by a south-facing wall. GA-3 gives fair germination in 1 - 4 months, or try burning leaves over the flat in fall, may take 2 years to sprout. Difficult but worth it.
TRICHOSANTHES
—kirilowii japonica. (10) R-TRCS-24J. Packet: $3.00
10 grams: $10.00
'KI KARASU-URI'. Egg-shaped yellow 3" fruits on a vigorous perennial vine to 20 - 30 feet, with beautifully-fringed white flowers and 3 - 5-lobed 4 - 5" leaves. Japan. Zone 6. The tuberous roots can be lifted in cold areas, and have been used as a source of starch. Fruits have been eaten prepared, and the seeds are a source of edible oil.
BEANS
—Winged Bean Day Neutral. (10) R-VBEA-WB. $4.00
Psophocarpus tetragonolobus. Tropical perennial vine with winged, four-sided pods and protein-rich seeds. Young pods eaten raw, or cooked like snap beans. The leaves, flowers and roots are all eaten, and the light blue flowers are used for food coloring. Usually this plant can't be grown north of southern Florida because of day-length restrictions, but this variety blooms regardless of day length. Our grower says it is the only one that has produced for him in France. The immature tuberous roots are eaten like potatoes, and are said to be quite tasty. They contain 20% protein dry weight, some 10 - 20 times the protein of other root crops.
TOMATO
—Grandma Aiello's. (40) R-VTOM-GA.
Click for photo »
Medium-sized pink-red heart-shaped fruit with tender skin, juicy and delicious. This rare variety was brought from Calabria Italy by Maria Mazzie Aiello in 1929, and has been grown and saved by her family for three generations. Sent to us by Maria's granddaughter Nicala Aiello. Large indeterminate plants, give support.