Common Name: |
Fameflower |
Other Names: |
Jewels of Opar, Cararú |
Botanical Name: |
Talinum paniculatum syn. T. patens |
Genus: |
Talinum |
Family: |
Portulacaceae |
Native Location: |
S USA to C America; widely naturalized in China and Indochina. |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained soil in sun. Tolerates poor soil and drought. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown when ripe or in spring at 15-18°C (59-64°F) |
Harvest: |
Young leaves and stems are picked during the growing season and used fresh. Roots are collected during dormancy and dried for decoctions. |
Height: |
1m (3ft) |
Width: |
60cm (24in) |
Hardiness: |
Min. 15°C (59°F) |
Parts Used: |
Roots, leaves, stems. |
Properties: |
A slightly sour, mucilaginous herb that reputedly has ginseng-like effects. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Root is used in folk medicine in parts of SE Asia as a substitute for ginseng (Panax ginseng, See Ginseng). |
Culinary Uses: |
Young leaves and stems are eaten fresh in salads, added to soups, or cooked briefly as a vegetable. |
Bibliography: |
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 380 |