Tropical/Subtropical Shade-loving Edibles

Discussion in 'Planting, growing, nurturing Plants' started by Adam, Apr 8, 2012.

  1. Adam

    Adam Junior Member

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    Yes, Michaelangelica, "full shade" is somewhat relative. And I did see a lot of those other forum threads you pulled up. I got some good information from them. But most of those threads contained a lot of plants that can really only take partial shade. I created this thread just to have a list that would be as accurate as possible for full shade plants, whether that be behind a building or under a thick canopy,
     
  2. Adam

    Adam Junior Member

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    Something I just added to the list from a tip from a friend of mine: Alternanthera sissoo, Brazilian spinach. I have heard reports that it can be invasive. Is anyone growing this in Australia?

    Also, vanilla does well in deep shade. Will it grow in subtropical areas with cooler winters?

    Updated list:

    - ginger family (Zingiberaceae Family; ginger, galangal, cardomom, kencur, fingerroot, etcl.) - edible root, used fresh or as spice
    - mushrooms - many edible kinds
    - pineapple - edible fruit
    - coffee - fruit contain "beans" used for making coffee
    - tea (Camellia sinensis) - young leaves used for tea
    - alpine strawberries (subtropical only) - edible fruit
    - comfrey - young leaves technically edible, but mostly used as medicinal plant and nutrient accumulator
    - ferns (e.g. Diplazium esculentum) - mostly ornamental value, but young shoots (fiddleheads) are edible
    - sweet potato - edible roots, leaves, and shoots, but primarily grown for tubers and as ornamental vine
    - pandanus (Pandanus amaryllifolius) - edible leaves used for flavoring
    - wild betel (Piper sarmentosum) - edible peppery flavored leaves
    - cacao (tropical only) - edible beans used to make chocolate
    - sweet leaf aka katuk (Sauropus androgynus) - fast-growing edible shoots and leaves eaten raw or cooked
    - pinto peanut - edible yellow flowers, but mostly grown as legume perennial groundcover
    - palms (e.g. Linospadix monostachya, Chamaedorea tepejilote) - many different species, but some can tolerate shade and have edible fruits, flowers and/or hearts
    - Monster Fruit (Monstera deliciosa) - edible fruit
    - Amorphophallus genus - several species have edible tubers
    - Kava (Piper methysticum) - edible root used as stimulant
    - Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) - edible tubers processed for starch
    - "Queensland" Arrowroot (Canna edulis aka Canna indica) - edible tubers
    - Xanthosoma & Alocasia genuses (various taros) - edible roots/rhizomes
    - Mulberry (Morus genus) - edible berries and leaves (leaves make a great tea)
    - Vanilla (Vanilla genus; tropical only) - dried fruits used for flavoring
    - Brazil Spinach (Alternanthera sissoo) - edible leaves eaten raw or cooked
     
  3. permasculptor

    permasculptor Junior Member

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    for me brazillian spinach is successful but not invasive.Vanilla will grow but not well.
     
  4. aroideana

    aroideana Junior Member

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    Vanilla grew very well in Childers , but stopped and lost growing tip each winter . Grew back well usually from 2 or more lower nodes , and covered a tall jakfruit in a few years . Recently got some Brazilian spinach , not grown it long enough to find best spot.
     
  5. permasculptor

    permasculptor Junior Member

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    I must try both in shadier spots as mine do get a good amount of sun.
     
  6. S.O.P

    S.O.P Moderator

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    Warrigal Greens?
     
  7. garnede

    garnede Junior Member

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    leather leaf mahonia, though it shows some signs of being invasive in bottom land forest.
     
  8. Suveran Starseed

    Suveran Starseed New Member

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    Brazil spinach doesnt thrive in dense shade but prefers dappled shade.

    Other perennial greens for the list are:-
    Ceylon spinach - Basella species both red and green
    New Guinea greens - Abelmoschus manihot
    Okinawan spinach - Gynura crepioides
    All thrive in an understory situation
    All highly nutritious includin good protein levels and polysacharides
    All easy to propagate...can root cuttings of the latter two in water.
    Lets food forest the world :)
    Blessings
    Suvi


     
  9. BananaBender

    BananaBender Junior Member

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    This is very true.
    I have both Elettaria and the other one. They are very easy to tell apart. First off true cardamon leaves dont have any fragrance. Secondly true cardamon grows quite tall whereis the Alpinia is a short bushy thing with fragrant leaves which in my opinion smell nothing like cardamon seeds.
    Ive been growing mine for about 3 years now so should have some viable seeds in the not to distant future.
     
  10. BananaBender

    BananaBender Junior Member

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    I forgot to add Aibika grows pretty well anywhere thats shady. Easy to propagate simply chop a woody stem and push it in the ground and a couple of weeks later is already rooted.
     
  11. Suveran Starseed

    Suveran Starseed New Member

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    Yep Aibika is New Guinea greens and comes in different leaf shapes and red or green stem....closely related to okra, and a great plant to grow....
     
  12. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Senior Member

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    I just replanted a tangerine out of the shade to the sun
    Hasnt grown an inch in 6 years

    Now I need to fill the space so I found this thread again.

    Decisions decisions.
     

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