Author Topic: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms  (Read 6693 times)

Caesar

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Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« on: August 11, 2017, 03:31:15 AM »
Hi all. I was checking out a lot of info about the Conifer family tree, and found that a surprising number of species produced food, both in temperate regions and in the tropics. Moreover, this topic seemed somewhat neglected, so I decided to make this thread to discuss it. Here we go...


Nuts:

Seemingly the most well-known coniferous food, even this category has some poorly-known species.

Pines - Different species are harvested in different regions, with approximately 17 species bearing large, worthwhile nuts. Few of them are commercially harvested, but they include the following:

Three Eurasian species, the Stone Pine (Pinus pinea), Korean Pine (P. koraiensis), and Chilgoza Pine (P. gerardiana), and three species of Pinyon Pines (P. edulis, P. monophylla, P. cembroides). Another Pinyon bears the largest nuts in the genus (2-3 cm long), P. maximartinezii, not currently harvested on a commercial basis due to its rarity (it's locally harvested, though). The Armand or Chinese White Pine (P. armandii) is to be avoided, as it is the source of Pine Mouth Syndrome.

Araucariads - A family with three surviving genera, Araucaria, Agathis and Wollemia. Everything I found indicated that most - if not every - species in this family is likely to have edible seeds (at least, in the sense that they are non-toxic and digestible). That said, several bear seeds too small to be worthwhile, and of the remainder, most are dioecious, take a long time to reach seed-bearing age and/or are inconsistent bearers (a good crop one year followed by several poor crops, or even empty years).

Wollemia's seeds are small, not really much of a nut. Of the genus Agathis, I've only seen one species explicitly referred to as edible: Agathis montana, having been consumed by the natives of New Caledonia. The source of this claim seems to have disappeared from the net, as I haven't been able to find the website again since last I saw it a few years ago. I did keep a highly modified screenshot of the relevant paragraph for reference purposes, so I'll post it here:



The genus Araucaria has two lineages, one with the single section Eutacta, and another with the three sections Araucaria, Bunya and Intermedia. I suspect most of Eutacta to bear edible seeds, but the only one I could explicitly confirm is Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii). The other lineage bears three well-known starchy nuts in two sections: Bunya Nut (A. bidwillii, sect. Bunya; monoecious), and Monkey Puzzle & Paraná Pine (A. araucana & A. angustifolia respectively, sect. Araucaria; both dioecious). Because the species in the third section (Intermedia), A. hunsteinii, is so closely related, I expected to find that it would make a good crop (with the advantage of being monoecious). No such explicit confirmation turned up in my searches, but I did find that the dimensions of the cone and the nuts were similar to its relatives, being 10x6 inches and 1.5 inches respectively ( http://conifersociety.org/conifers/conifer/araucaria/hunsteinii/ ). Because of this, I would consider A. hunsteinii a likely strong candidate for tropical production of Araucaria Nuts.

Nutmeg Yews - Not closely related to the true Yews, despite the name, Torreya fargesii 's seed can be pressed for oil, and the seeds of T. nucifera, T. californica and T. grandis are edible as nuts.


Fruits:

Species where the cone scales develop into soft, sweet fruit-like tissue.

Yews - Taxus spp. As I've stated in another thread, a mild-flavored edible treat on a lethally toxic tree. Don't try it, not worth it. Nothing to see here, move along.

Strawberry Pine (Microcachrys tetragona) - A small dioecious creeping conifer from Tasmania with strawberry or raspberry-like fruit.

New Zealand Conifer Berries - Collected and consumed by the Maori, sometimes in quantity. The species include Kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides), Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum), Tōtara (Podocarpus totara), Mataī (Prumnopitys taxifolia) and Miro (P. ferruginea).

Chilean Plum Yew (Prumnopitys andina) - Bears tasty grape-like fruit.

Podocarpus spp. - Despite their online reputation, only a few species have toxic berries; most have edible berries to varying degrees (It should be noted that the pollen is cytotoxic, and produces symptoms resembling those of chemotherapy if inhaled in quantity over time). Green Deane suggests that reports of toxicity in Podocarpus macrophyllus come from eating too many berries without removing the core (which is stem matter, likely to be somewhat toxic even if the pulp isn't) ( http://www.eattheweeds.com/podocarpus-your-own-hedge-fund-2/ ). Other species I could confirm as edible (and without the reports of toxicity that P. macrophyllus has) include P. elatus, P. drouynianus, P. spinulosus and P. costalis.

California Juniper (Juniperus californica) - One of the few Juniper berries that can be eaten in their raw state, as they are sweeter, less resinous and not bitter. Juniper fruit used as a spice come from J. communis, J. phoenicea, and possibly J. deppeana and J. drupacea.


Fruit-Nut Combos:

As the title suggests, these are fleshy/fruity-coned species whose seeds can also be consumed as nuts.

Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonii) - While most subspecies are poorly-flavored, several bear agreeable fruit described as "A plum dipped in pine sap". http://earthadvocatesresearchfarm.com/2013/14available-4.html

Podocarpus dispermus - Unlike most of its relatives, even the seed of this species is reportedly edible, when roasted. http://www.wettropics.gov.au/rainforest_explorer/Resources/Documents/factsheets/bushTuckerOfTheWetTropics.pdf

Afrocarpus falcatus & A. gracilior - Insipid to astringent pulp with a resinous nut. Seemingly not the best-tasting edible, but I'd try it. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1073211/


Tips and Needle Teas:

These are species whose needles can be harvested to make tea. Fresh young growing tips can be harvested and consumed as-is (a vegetable of sorts), or used for tea, syrup and other confections. Included in this category are species from the genera Pinus (though Red Pine is alleged to be toxic in some sources; http://survivaltek.com/?p=3989 ), Picea, Abies, Tsuga and Pseudotsuga.

Edit: The pollen of some Pinus species is also edible raw, and can be used as flour. Some species have bitter-tasting pollen, others have a neutral flavor. The male cones that produce said pollen are also edible when boiled. ( http://www.eattheweeds.com/pines-not-just-for-breakfast-anymore-2/ )

Note: Do not confuse coniferous Hemlock (Tsuga) with Poison Hemlock (Conium, Cicuta, Oenanthe crocata). Perhaps it should go without saying, but I'm saying it anyway. Stay safe, and don't sample wild plants lightly.


Other Gymnosperms:

Ginkgo is often consumed as a nut in Asia, but care should be taken not to overindulge, due to the presence of Ginkgotoxin.

Cycads - No. No matter what you've heard, no species of cycad is edible. Several have been used historically as food, but the cost is neurological damage. Every species in the order has a symbiotic relationship with Cyanobacteria that produce BMAA toxin, absorbed by the plant and concentrated (but not limited) in the seeds. Processing the starch (even from the stem) doesn't get rid of all the toxin. Play it safe... If you want Sago, look for the true Sago Palm (Metroxylon sagu), not a cycad.

Ephedra - Often used medicinally (tread cautiously, there are side effects). The fruit of some species are regarded as edible, tasting mildly sweet.

Gnetum - I would regard this as the only truly edible non-coniferous gymnosperm. Several species in the genus are edible, with G. gnemom bearing edible nuts, and G. africanum having edible nuts, leaves and even roots.


And that is all I could find on the matter of edible gymnosperms.
« Last Edit: December 04, 2017, 10:46:25 PM by Caesar »

Tropheus76

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2017, 01:58:47 PM »
Cool info. I sourced a Chilean Plum Yew earlier and another Brazilian edible pine tree last week. Figured I would give them a try. Never realized there were so many edible pines out there. I figure I have a while til they fruit heheh.

Jose Spain

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2017, 05:25:58 PM »
Here in Spain there is a traditional and important market for piñones (nuts from Pinus pinea), they are part of several dishes and by far the most expensive nuts you can buy here, much more than almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, pecans or cashews. Their taste is really unique and when carefully roasted (to don't burn them) can make a dish of pasta or a stew go into an another league. Due to the high demand, supermarkets started few years ago to sell piñones from China, most likely from one of the species that you mentioned in the post, they are cheaper and not as tasty and aromatic as Mediterranean ones, but still worth to use them in the kitchen. The oil of the pine nuts is quite unstable, so they become rancid relatively quickly in comparison with nuts from dicotyledons.

Pinus pinea is a fast growing, very hard tree, resisting extreme heat and cold without any problem and thriving impressively well in dry, sandy soils. I planted 5 nuts few years ago and they are growing like 2 feet per year, without any fertilisation and bearing 4 months without rain. A good choice for California for sure. High pH is not a problem for them either.

Pinus pinea makes a huge, wide tree though, so a lot of space should be available if somebody would consider having a pino piñonero in his plot, it's not a tree for a backyard.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2017, 05:34:27 PM by Jose Spain »

Ulfr

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2017, 06:24:42 PM »
Great info, thanks for posting :)

Bunya and hoop pines are common here. I can see 8 hoop pines from my computer room window right now haha (they are one of the street trees here) I know lots of people that eat bunya pine seeds but didn't even know hoop pine seeds were edible.

We also have Kauri pines (Agathus) though no idea what species, robusta maybe?

Edit: After some reading, they are indeed Agathus robusta
« Last Edit: August 11, 2017, 06:31:35 PM by Ulfr »

Mike T

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2017, 06:43:12 PM »
There are 4 Agathus in my district and robusta is one. They are huge and aboriginal people ate the seeds as they did bunyas. Local aboriginal people also ate various cycad seeds after leaching the crashed seeds in running water. My local area native Podocarpus and Prumnopitys have edible fruits.

Caesar

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2017, 11:34:19 AM »
Cool info. I sourced a Chilean Plum Yew earlier and another Brazilian edible pine tree last week. Figured I would give them a try. Never realized there were so many edible pines out there. I figure I have a while til they fruit heheh.

Did you get individuals or several each? I think both are dioecious, so you'll need a male and female each to get fruit.


Here in Spain there is a traditional and important market for piñones (nuts from Pinus pinea), they are part of several dishes and by far the most expensive nuts you can buy here, much more than almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, pecans or cashews. Their taste is really unique and when carefully roasted (to don't burn them) can make a dish of pasta or a stew go into an another league. Due to the high demand, supermarkets started few years ago to sell piñones from China, most likely from one of the species that you mentioned in the post, they are cheaper and not as tasty and aromatic as Mediterranean ones, but still worth to use them in the kitchen. The oil of the pine nuts is quite unstable, so they become rancid relatively quickly in comparison with nuts from dicotyledons.

Pinus pinea is a fast growing, very hard tree, resisting extreme heat and cold without any problem and thriving impressively well in dry, sandy soils. I planted 5 nuts few years ago and they are growing like 2 feet per year, without any fertilisation and bearing 4 months without rain. A good choice for California for sure. High pH is not a problem for them either.

Pinus pinea makes a huge, wide tree though, so a lot of space should be available if somebody would consider having a pino piñonero in his plot, it's not a tree for a backyard.

It sounds like a very attractive tree. And I like the idea that some of these might be tastier than others. How do the flavor nuances compare to other pine nuts? You said they're more aromatic?

I'd like to have a couple some day, but I'm not sure how well they'd do for me here in PR. They can take heat, but I've read that some species of Pine Nut drop in productivity if they only get heat without a cold period. I hope that's not the case with this species.


Great info, thanks for posting :)

Bunya and hoop pines are common here. I can see 8 hoop pines from my computer room window right now haha (they are one of the street trees here) I know lots of people that eat bunya pine seeds but didn't even know hoop pine seeds were edible.

We also have Kauri pines (Agathus) though no idea what species, robusta maybe?

Edit: After some reading, they are indeed Agathus robusta

Have you tasted the Hoop Pine seeds? How do they compare to Bunyas? How do the Bunyas taste for that matter? I've read comparisons to pine nuts and potatoes, among other things.


There are 4 Agathus in my district and robusta is one. They are huge and aboriginal people ate the seeds as they did bunyas. Local aboriginal people also ate various cycad seeds after leaching the crashed seeds in running water. My local area native Podocarpus and Prumnopitys have edible fruits.

Have you tasted Podocarpus? What are they like? Also, how would one harvest Agathis nuts? Do the actual cones drop off? I thought they disintegrated on the tree.

I keep asking for taste 'cause I have no direct experience in the matter.  :P

Jose Spain

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2017, 05:24:32 AM »
Quote
It sounds like a very attractive tree. And I like the idea that some of these might be tastier than others. How do the flavor nuances compare to other pine nuts? You said they're more aromatic?

I'd like to have a couple some day, but I'm not sure how well they'd do for me here in PR. They can take heat, but I've read that some species of Pine Nut drop in productivity if they only get heat without a cold period. I hope that's not the case with this species.

I just can compare Spanish pine nuts with Chinese ones, I never tasted other kinds. The Chinese one are less tasty and don't have the strong aroma of Pinus pinea nuts. Spanish piñones are quite expensive (70-120$ per Kilo), Chinese are cheaper but still more expensive than other nuts (~40$ Kilo). I'd like to taste other kind of pine nuts to compare but so far I din't find them here. BTW, another species with edible pine nuts is the Siberian pine Pinus sibirica, its pine nuts are the most popular in Russia.

Regarding your question about growing it Puerto Rico I have my doubts. Here in Spain the pine is typical of Mediterranean coasts, so it produces in locations without any frost, but I don't know how it would do in tropics though, because is not only about cold but also about sunlight hours in winter.

Paulish

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2017, 04:38:26 PM »
Interesting and informative thread, thanks for sharing. I've been looking into pine pollen as well and wondering if anyone has information or experience with which pines are best for pollen harvest. A brief search shows masson/horsetail pine as the most common source. I would tend to imagine something that can might provide a good source of pollen along with another edible component like pine nuts would be ideal but wondering if substantial differences in pollen production and nutrient densities exist.

Caesar

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2017, 10:50:58 PM »
Thanks for the info, I've incorporated it into the original post as an edit. As to which is the best/most-productive/most-reliable source of pollen, I cannot say, but I think it warrants a good long search when I get the chance.

Future

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2017, 05:40:29 PM »
Fascinating thread.  What plant produces the 'common' pine nuts?

Aside: some pines ooze ahead of pollination and the ooze is said to contain testosterone.

BrianL

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2017, 02:51:44 AM »
Bunya Bunya taste pretty good and the seeds are huge for pine nuts.

ScottR

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2017, 11:37:44 AM »
Nice thread you started Caesar, i think nut crop's are are over looked by many people especially growing tree's that can bear a crop. But then again many of these tree's get very big and need room to grow! Interesting thanks for posting 8)

mangomike

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2017, 12:56:23 AM »
I have also been interested in the subject of food-producing conifers.  Here is a link to some work I did for a non-profit sustainability group  a few years back that mentions a number of conifer species incorporated in a food forest design:

https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/food-forest/

I don't think any conifer species would produce enough food per acre to be used as a crop per se, but can be worthwhile components of a more complex system.

Mike T

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #13 on: December 11, 2017, 04:16:26 AM »
Bunyas have a lot in each giant cone but the trees take a long time to produce and are giants. Close bunya relatives were in Europe and South America 160 million years ago.

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #14 on: December 11, 2017, 10:25:09 AM »
We grow gnetum.  The nuts are pretty good prepared like they do in Indonesia.  Both the seeds and the soft, red shell are nice.
Interestingly, we have a male and female plant and the male got squashed by a tree that fell out of the forest.  The female has continued to produce.
Another thing is that it has been difficult to germinate the seeds in the nursery but we do get some volunteers under the tree.  It’s not been easy to airlayer either.
Peter

Tropheus76

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #15 on: December 11, 2017, 02:29:38 PM »
Been trying to grow a few of these in pots before I was going to put them in the ground in Spring. I have had the hardest time getting them to survive. I have tried the Chilean Yew which made it about 2 months in a pot before going brown and A.  angustifolia that I got from a guy in Ocala FL, which all 12 arrived in good shape but when potted, 11 died almost immediately. The survivor has put on almost 6 inches since August but was potted no differently or treated any differently than the others. All had a fairly loose potting soil with perlite, ground pine bark, compost, dirt etc. Standard fare for potting soil. I don't think they were really in the soil long enough for that to matter anyway. I might try again in spring of 2019 and use them to replace whatever losses I have between now and then and just go straight into the ground with the seedlings.

Caesar

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #16 on: May 29, 2018, 07:51:08 PM »
Fascinating thread.  What plant produces the 'common' pine nuts?

Aside: some pines ooze ahead of pollination and the ooze is said to contain testosterone.

The source of the common Pine Nut is the Stone Pine (Pinus pinea) but other species of pine are commonly harvested as well.


Nice thread you started Caesar, i think nut crop's are are over looked by many people especially growing tree's that can bear a crop. But then again many of these tree's get very big and need room to grow! Interesting thanks for posting 8)

If it weren't for all the allergies that people have, I'd say nuts have the potential to be an important staple crop, especially the starchy ones. I can't imagine why they're not more commonly planted. And yes, a lot of room to grow indeed. I still have my Bunyas in pots for lack of an adequate locale, though I am very concerned that their tap root may have been permanently stunted by the pot (potentially making them more susceptible than usual to strong winds). ¿Can anyone chime in on this concern?


I have also been interested in the subject of food-producing conifers.  Here is a link to some work I did for a non-profit sustainability group  a few years back that mentions a number of conifer species incorporated in a food forest design:

https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/food-forest/

I don't think any conifer species would produce enough food per acre to be used as a crop per se, but can be worthwhile components of a more complex system.

Thank you for the link, it's got great info! As for productivity, the Araucarias probably produce more than enough to be worthwhile. The more common nut conifers, on the other hand, are probably of more modest production (perhaps that explains the high price of pine nuts and their use as a flavor accent).


We grow gnetum.  The nuts are pretty good prepared like they do in Indonesia.  Both the seeds and the soft, red shell are nice.
Interestingly, we have a male and female plant and the male got squashed by a tree that fell out of the forest.  The female has continued to produce.
Another thing is that it has been difficult to germinate the seeds in the nursery but we do get some volunteers under the tree.  It’s not been easy to airlayer either.
Peter

I failed miserably in my attempt to grow Gnetum, but it's high on my wish list as far as nuts go. I just wish there were an easier way to propagate them

Did the female produce pollen? It hadn't occurred to me that some conifers might be apomictic. Interesting...


Been trying to grow a few of these in pots before I was going to put them in the ground in Spring. I have had the hardest time getting them to survive. I have tried the Chilean Yew which made it about 2 months in a pot before going brown and A.  angustifolia that I got from a guy in Ocala FL, which all 12 arrived in good shape but when potted, 11 died almost immediately. The survivor has put on almost 6 inches since August but was potted no differently or treated any differently than the others. All had a fairly loose potting soil with perlite, ground pine bark, compost, dirt etc. Standard fare for potting soil. I don't think they were really in the soil long enough for that to matter anyway. I might try again in spring of 2019 and use them to replace whatever losses I have between now and then and just go straight into the ground with the seedlings.

I wonder what went wrong with them. I'm not aware of any conifer having particularly sensitive roots. Keep us updated on this, I'd like to see where it goes.

Tropheus76

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #17 on: May 30, 2018, 10:37:04 AM »
I planted the one Angustifolia about a month before I deployed. It seemed to have been doing well before I left. Its on a relatively high spot in the yard so its tap root has plenty of room to grow before hitting ground water. Hopefully with all the rain its doing ok.

KarenRei

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #18 on: May 30, 2018, 03:25:02 PM »
I don't have time to dig it up, but there's some very interesting sites out there about the various pine species used for pine nuts, and their advantages and disadvantages.  There's one from China that's to be avoided, as it tends to leave a metallic aftertaste, and may be associated with some negative health effects.
Já, ég er að rækta suðrænar plöntur á Íslandi. Nei, ég er ekki klikkuð. Jæja, kannski...

KarenRei

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #19 on: May 30, 2018, 05:42:47 PM »
My contribution to this thread.  Note that I haven't curated this data, so there may be duplication, oddness in names, etc.  Format is "Scientific name (English name) [0-to-5 rating]", where the ratings are a mix of PFAF and Useful Tropical/Temperate Plants' opinions.  Note that I've broadened the thread from "other gymnosperms" to "other tracheophytes"  :)  I guess technically I could have gone all the way up to Plantae... ;)

Tracheophyta-Lycopodiophytina--Lycopodiopsida-Lycopodiales-Lycopodiaceae
 * Lycopodium lucidulum (Shining Club Moss) [1]
 * Lycopodium selago (Fir Clubmoss) [1]

Tracheophyta-Lycopodiophytina--Lycopodiopsida-Selaginellales-Selaginellaceae
 * Selaginella tamariscina () [1,5]

Tracheophyta-Polypodiophytina--Polypodiopsida-Equisetales-Equisetaceae
 * Equisetum fluviatile (pipes) [2]
 * Equisetum hyemale (tall scouring-rush) [2]

Tracheophyta-Polypodiophytina--Polypodiopsida-Osmundales-Osmundaceae
 * Osmunda claytoniana (interrupted fern) [2]

Tracheophyta-Polypodiophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Blechnaceae
 * Blechnum spicant (deer fern) [2]

Tracheophyta-Polypodiophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Woodsiaceae
 * Athyrium niponicum (Japanese painted fern) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Equisetopsida-Equisetales-Equisetaceae
 * Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail) [2]
 * Equisetum pratense (meadow horsetail) [2]
 * Equisetum sylvaticum (woodland horsetail) [1]
 * Equisetum telmateia (Giant Horsetail) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Marattiopsida-Marattiales-Marattiaceae
 * Angiopteris evecta (Madagascar tree fern) [2]
 * Ptisana salicina (King Fern) [2]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Cyatheales-Cibotiaceae
 * Cibotium chamissoi (Chamisso's manfern) [2]
 * Cibotium glaucum (hapu'u) [2]
 * Cibotium menziesii (hapu'u li) [2]
 * Cibotium barometz (Scythian Lamb) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Cyatheales-Cyatheaceae
 * Cyathea dealbata (Tree Fern) [2]
 * Cyathea medullaris (black tree fern) [2]
 * Cyathea australis (Rough Tree Fern) [1]
 * Cyathea microdonta (creeping treefern) [1]
 * Cyathea vieillardii () [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Cyatheales-Dicksoniaceae
 * Dicksonia antarctica (Tree Fern) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Gleicheniales-Gleicheniaceae
 * Dicranopteris linearis () [1]
 * Diploterigium glaucum () [1]
 * Gleichenia japonica () [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Osmundales-Osmundaceae
 * Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern) [2]
 * Osmunda japonica (Zenmai) [2]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Aspleniaceae
 * Asplenium nidus (Bird's Nest Fern) [2]
 * Asplenium bulbiferum (Hen And Chicken Fern) [1]
 * Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Athyriaceae
 * Diplazium esculentum (vegetable fern) [3]
 * Diplazium proliferum (striped twinsorus fern) [2]
 * Athyrium filix-femina (Lady Fern) [1]
 * Athyrium melanolepis () [1]
 * Athyrium rubripes () [1]
 * Athyrium yokoscense () [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Blechnaceae
 * Stenochlaena palustris () [3]
 * Blechnum orientale () [2]
 * Lomaria spicant (Hard Fern) [2]
 * Sadleria cyatheoides (amaumau fern) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Cystopteridaceae
 * Cystopteris bulbifera (Berry Bladder Fern) [1]
 * Cystopteris fragilis (Brittle Bladder Fern) [1]
 * Cystopteris montana (bulblet bladderfern) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Dennstaedtiaceae
 * Pteridium aquilinum (western brackenfern) [2]
 * Pteridium aquilinum esculentum (western brackenfern) [2]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina-Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Dryopteridaceae
 * Dryopteris carthusiana (spinulose woodfern) [2]
 * Dryopteris dilatata (Shield Fern) [2]
 * Dryopteris expansa (Spiny Wood Fern) [2]
 * Dryopteris filix-mas (Male Fern) [2]
 * Aspidium munitum (Giant Holly Fern) [1]
 * Athyrium squamigerum () [1]
 * Dryopteris crassirhizoma (Crown Wood-Fern) [1]
 * Dryopteris fragrans (Fragrant Woodfern) [1]
 * Dryopteris sieboldii () [1]
 * Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) [1]
 * Polystichum aculeatum (island swordfern) [1]
 * Polystichum munitum (western swordfern) [1]
 * Pycnopteris sieboldii () [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Onocleaceae
 * Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern) [2]
 * Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern) [2]
 * Matteuccia orientalis () [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Polypodiaceae
 * Phymatosorus longissimus () [2]
 * Polypodium vulgare (Common Polypody) [2]
 * Pteris aquilina (Bracken) [2]
 * Arthromeris wallichiana () [1]
 * Drynaria rigidula (Basket Fern) [1]
 * Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Licorice Fern) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Pteridaceae
 * Ceratopteris thalictroides (Swamp Fern) [3]
 * Acrostichum aureum (golden leatherfern) [2]
 * Adiantum capillus-veneris (venus hairfern) [2]
 * Pteris ensiformis (Sword Brake) [2]
 * Cheilanthes pteridioides (southern lipfern) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Polypodiales-Thelypteridaceae
 * Dryopteris thelypteris (Marsh Fern) [1]
 * Thelypteris palustris (Marsh Fern) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Salviniales-Marsileaceae
 * Marsilea drummondii (Common Nardoo) [1]
 * Marsilea mutica (Smooth Nardoo) [1]
 * Marsilea quadrifolia (European waterclover) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Polypodiopsida-Schizaeales-Lygodiaceae
 * Lygodium circinnatum () [2]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Psilotopsida-Ophioglossales-Ophioglossaceae
 * Ophioglossum reticulatum (Adder?s tongue fern) [4]
 * Botrychium ternatum () [2]
 * Botrychium australe (Parsley Fern) [1]
 * Botrychium virginianum (Rattlesnake Fern) [1]
 * Helminthostachys zeylanica (kamraj) [1]
 * Ophioglossum vulgatum (Adder's Tongue) [1]

Tracheophyta-Pteridophytina--Psilotopsida-Psilotales-Psilotaceae
 * Psilotum nudum (whisk fern) [2]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Cycadophytina-Cycadopsida-Cycadaceae
 * Cycas circinalis (Sago Palm) [2]
 * Cycas pectinata () [2]
 * Cycas revoluta (sago palm) [2]
 * Cycas rumphii (Sago Palm) [2]
 * Cycas siamensis () [2]
 * Cycas media (Australian Nut Palm) [1]
 * Cycas seemannii () [1]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Cycadophytina-Cycadopsida-Zamiaceae
 * Dioon edule (Chamal) [3]
 * Zamia integrifolia (Florida Arrowroot) [2]
 * Zamia loddigesii () [2]
 * Bowenia spectabilis (Zamia Fern) [1]
 * Encephalartos hildebrandtii () [1]
 * Macrozamia miquelii () [1]
 * Zamia erosa () [1]
 * Zamia lindenii () [1]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Ginkgophytina-Ginkgoopsida-Ginkgoales-Ginkgoaceae (Ginkgo)
 * Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree) [5]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Gnetophytina-Gnetopsida-Ephedrales-Ephedraceae (Ephedra)
 * Ephedra nevadensis (Nevada ephedra) [3]
 * Ephedra americana () [2]
 * Ephedra distachya (Jointfir) [2]
 * Ephedra fragilis () [2]
 * Ephedra gerardiana (Indian jointfir) [2]
 * Ephedra pachyclada () [2]
 * Ephedra torreyana (Torrey's jointfir) [2]
 * Ephedra viridis (green ephedra) [2]
 * Ephedra altissima (High-climbing jointfir) [1]
 * Ephedra equisetina (Mongolian ephedra) [1]
 * Ephedra foliata () [1]
 * Ephedra intermedia (Zhong Ma Huang) [1]
 * Ephedra major (Ma Huang) [1]
 * Ephedra sinica (Chinese joint-fir) [1]
 * Ephedra triandra () [1]
 * Ephedra trifurca (longleaf jointfir) [1]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Gnetophytina-Gnetopsida-Gnetales   Gnetaceae (Gnetum)
 * Gnetum africanum (African jointfir) [4]
 * Gnetum buchholzianum (jointfir) [4]
 * Gnetum gnemon (buko) [3]
 * Gnetum latifolium () [3]
 * Gnetum costatum (Tulip) [2]
 * Gnetum edule () [2]
 * Gnetum formosum () [2]
 * Gnetum gnemonoides () [2]
 * Gnetum klossii () [2]
 * Gnetum leptostachyum () [2]
 * Gnetum macrostachyum () [2]
 * Gnetum montanum () [2]
 * Gnetum neglectum () [2]
 * Gnetum nodiflorum () [2]
 * Gnetum parvifolium () [2]
 * Gnetum tenuifolium () [2]
 * Gnetum urens () [2]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Pinopsida-Pinales-Araucariaceae
 * Araucaria araucana (monkeypuzzle tree) [5]
 * Araucaria bidwillii (bunya bunya) [3,5]
 * Agathis lanceolata (Koghis Kauri) [2]
 * Araucaria angustifolia (Parana pine) [2]
 * Araucaria cunninghamii (Moreton Bay Pine) [2]
 * Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island pine) [2]
 * Agathis moorei (Pacific Kauri) [1]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Pinopsida-Pinales-Cephalotaxaceae
 * Cephalotaxus fortunei (Chinese Plum Yew) [5]
 * Cephalotaxus harringtonii () [4]
 * Cephalotaxus lanceolata (Yunnan Plum Yew) [4]
 * Cephalotaxus sinensis (Chinese Plum Yew) [4]
 * Cephalotaxus oliveri () [3]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Pinopsida-Pinales-Cupressaceae
 * Arceuthos drupacea (Syrian Juniper) [3]
 * Juniperus communis (Juniper) [3]
 * Juniperus deppeana (Aligator Juniper) [3]
 * Juniperus drupacea (Syrian juniper) [3]
 * Juniperus monosperma (oneseed juniper) [3]
 * Juniperus occidentalis (Western Juniper) [3]
 * Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper) [3]
 * Cupressus arborvitae (American Arbor-Vitae) [2]
 * Juniperus californica (California juniper) [2]
 * Juniperus excelsa (eastern juniper) [2]
 * Juniperus horizontalis (creeping-cedar) [2]
 * Juniperus monticola () [2]
 * Juniperus osteosperma (Utah juniper) [2]
 * Juniperus rigida (shore juniper) [2]
 * Juniperus virginiana (Southern Redcedar) [2]
 * Thuja occidentalis (swamp cedar) [2]
 * Calocedrus decurrens (incense cedar) [1]
 * Juniperus ashei (Ashe Juniper) [1]
 * Juniperus recurva (Himalayan Juniper) [1]
 * Thuja orientalis (Biota) [1]
 * Thuja plicata (western red cedar) [1]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Pinopsida-Pinales-Pinaceae
 * Pinus albicaulis (scrub pine) [4]
 * Pinus armandii (Chinese White Pine) [4]
 * Pinus cembra (Swiss stone pine) [4]
 * Pinus cembra sibirica (Swiss stone pine) [4]
 * Pinus cembroides (Mexican Pine Nut) [4]
 * Pinus coulteri (pitch pine) [4]
 * Pinus edulis (twoneedle pinyon) [4]
 * Pinus koraiensis (northern white pine) [4]
 * Pinus parviflora (Japanese White Pine) [4]
 * Pinus pinea (Italian stone pine) [4]
 * Pinus quadrifolia (Parry pinyon) [4]
 * Pinus sabiniana (California foothill pine) [4]
 * Abies balsamea (Balsam Fir) [3]
 * Pinus balsamea (Balsam Fir) [3]
 * Pinus bungeana (lacebark pine) [3]
 * Pinus contorta (prickle-cone pine) [3]
 * Pinus discolor (border pinyon) [3]
 * Pinus flexilis (Limber Pine) [3]
 * Pinus gerardiana (chilghoza pine) [3]
 * Pinus jeffreyi (black pine) [3]
 * Pinus johannis (Johann's pine) [3]
 * Pinus lambertiana (California sugar pine) [3]
 * Pinus ponderosa (blackjack pine) [3]
 * Pinus pumila (dwarf Siberian pine) [3]
 * Pinus remota (papershell pinyon) [3]
 * Pinus torreyana (Soledad Pine) [3]
 * Pinus ayacahuite (Mexican White Pine) [2,5]
 * Pinus monophylla (nut pine) [2,5]
 * Abies alba (silver fir) [2]
 * Abies grandis (balsam fir) [2]
 * Abies lasiocarpa (Subalpine Fir) [2]
 * Larix decidua (European larch) [2]
 * Larix laricina (tamarack) [2]
 * Larix occidentalis (mountain larch) [2]
 * Leucopitys strobus (White Pine) [2]
 * Picea abies (Norway Spruce) [2]
 * Picea asperata (Chinese Spruce) [2]
 * Picea brachytyla (Sargent Spruce) [2]
 * Picea breweriana (Brewer spruce) [2]
 * Picea engelmannii (Mountain Spruce) [2]
 * Picea glauca (White Spruce) [2]
 * Picea glehnii (Sakhalin spruce) [2]
 * Picea jezoensis (Yezo Spruce) [2]
 * Picea mariana (swamp spruce) [2]
 * Picea omorika (Serbian spruce) [2]
 * Picea orientalis (Caucasian Spruce) [2]
 * Picea pungens (silver spruce) [2]
 * Picea purpurea (Purple-Coned Spruce) [2]
 * Picea rubens (red spruce) [2]
 * Picea sitchensis (yellow spruce) [2]
 * Picea smithiana (morinda spruce) [2]
 * Pinus aristata (bristlecone pine) [2]
 * Pinus banksiana (jack pine) [2]
 * Pinus culminicola (Cerro Potosi Pinyon) [2]
 * Pinus densiflora (Japanese umbrella pine) [2]
 * Pinus echinata (shortleaf pine) [2]
 * Pinus halepensis (aleppo pine) [2]
 * Pinus henryi () [2]
 * Pinus massoniana (Chinese Red Pine) [2]
 * Pinus monticola (mountain white pine) [2]
 * Pinus muricata (Bishop's Pine) [2]
 * Pinus nelsonii () [2]
 * Pinus pinaster (Maritime Pine) [2]
 * Pinus roxburghii (Chir Pine) [2]
 * Pinus strobiformis (border limber pine) [2]
 * Pinus strobus (White Pine) [2]
 * Pinus sylvestris (Scot's Pine) [2]
 * Pinus thunbergii (Japanese black pine) [2]
 * Pinus virginiana (scrub pine) [2]
 * Pinus wallichiana (Bhutan pine) [2]
 * Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir) [2]
 * Pinus leiophylla (Chihuahuan pine) [1,5]
 * Abies amabilis (red fir) [1]
 * Abies chinensis (Chinese Hemlock) [1]
 * Abies firma (Momi Fir) [1]
 * Abies fraseri (balsam fir) [1]
 * Cedrus libani (cedar of Lebanon) [1]
 * Larix lyallii (subalpine larch) [1]
 * Larix sibirica (Siberian larch) [1]
 * Pinus fraseri (She Balsam) [1]
 * Pinus merkusii (Merkus pine) [1]
 * Pinus montezumae (Montezuma Pine) [1]
 * Pinus mugo (Dwarf Mountain Pine) [1]
 * Pinus nigra (Austrian Pine) [1]
 * Pinus oocarpa (oocarpa pine) [1]
 * Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) [1]
 * Pinus patula (Mexican Weeping Pine) [1]
 * Pinus pungens (prickley pine) [1]
 * Pinus radiata (Monterey pine) [1]
 * Pinus resinosa (Red Pine) [1]
 * Pinus rigida (Northern Pitch Pine) [1]
 * Pinus serotina (marsh pine) [1]
 * Pinus tabuliformis (Chinese pine) [1]
 * Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine) [1]
 * Pinus tecunumanii () [1]
 * Pinus teocote (Twisted Leaf Pine) [1]
 * Tsuga canadensis (hemlock spruce) [1]
 * Tsuga caroliniana (Carolina hemlock) [1]
 * Tsuga chinensis (Chinese Hemlock) [1]
 * Tsuga heterophylla (western hemlock) [1]
 * Tsuga mertensiana (alpine hemlock) [1]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Pinopsida-Pinales-Podocarpaceae
 * Podocarpus andinus (Plum-Fruited Yew) [3]
 * Podocarpus nivalis (Alpine Totara) [3]
 * Podocarpus totara (totara) [3]
 * Prumnopitys andina (Plum-Fruited Yew) [3]
 * Afrocarpus falcatus (yellowwood) [2]
 * Afrocarpus gracilior () [2]
 * Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (kahika) [2]
 * Dacrydium cupressinum (New Zealand red pine) [2]
 * Dacrydium franklinii (Huon Pine) [2]
 * Dacrydium tetragonum () [2]
 * Lagarostrobus franklinii (Huon Pine) [2]
 * Margbensonia neriifolia (Oleander Podocarp) [2]
 * Microcachrys tetragona () [2]
 * Podocarpus dacrydioides (Kahikatea) [2]
 * Podocarpus elatus (Australian Plum) [2]
 * Podocarpus ferrugineus (Miro) [2]
 * Podocarpus lambertii () [2]
 * Podocarpus latifolius (Broad-leaved Yellowwood) [2]
 * Podocarpus lawrencei (Tasmanian Podocarp) [2]
 * Podocarpus macrophyllus (Kusamaki) [2]
 * Podocarpus neriifolius (Brown Pine) [2]
 * Podocarpus nubigenus (Chilean podocarp) [2]
 * Podocarpus salignus (Willowleaf Podocarp) [2]
 * Prumnopitys ferruginea (Miro) [2]
 * Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) [2]
 * Nageia nagi (Nagi) [1,5]
 * Decussocarpus nagi (Nagi) [1]
 * Podocarpus dispermus (Brown Pine) [1]

Tracheophyta-Spermatophytina-Gymnospermae-Pinopsida-Pinales-Taxaceae
 * Torreya nucifera (Japanese torreya) [5]
 * Taxus wallichiana (Kaya) [3,5]
 * Taxus baccata (English yew) [3]
 * Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew) [3]
 * Taxus canadensis (Canada yew) [3]
 * Taxus cuspidata (Japanese Yew) [3]
 * Taxus x media (Anglojapanese Yew) [3]
 * Torreya californica (California nutmeg) [3]
 * Taxus globosa (Mexican Yew) [2]
 * Torreya fargesii (Yunnan Nutmeg Yew) [2]
 * Torreya grandis (Chinese Nutmeg Tree) [2]
 * Torreya jackii () [2]

---------------------
« Last Edit: May 30, 2018, 08:52:42 PM by KarenRei »
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Caesar

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #20 on: June 02, 2018, 08:17:14 PM »
Wow! Excellent contribution. That's quite the list! A lot of species to review there for crop use. When using PFAF, I tend to bump up whatever rating they give a plant by at least half a point, as I've noticed them giving moderately low points to plants which I've seen considered as pretty good crops.

I had debated whether to include ferns and had originally decided not to, but the contribution is well appreciated. The idea of eating ferns deserves a lot of research; they're strong and hardy plants that can produce a fair crop and are perennials, but there's a lot of toxicity issues to hash out before considering them safe for long term consumption (though I doubt an occasional plate would do much harm). I guess it's similar to the whole "anonnacin" debate. I know plenty of ferns are habitually eaten and treated as delicacies, but has any particular species been conclusively proven to lack toxicity? I'm hoping there is, so I can add it to my own collection.

Ulfr

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #21 on: June 02, 2018, 08:52:28 PM »
Thought I would add this pic of Bunya nuts here :)



KarenRei

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #22 on: June 02, 2018, 09:11:03 PM »
Wow! Excellent contribution. That's quite the list! A lot of species to review there for crop use. When using PFAF, I tend to bump up whatever rating they give a plant by at least half a point, as I've noticed them giving moderately low points to plants which I've seen considered as pretty good crops.

I had debated whether to include ferns and had originally decided not to, but the contribution is well appreciated. The idea of eating ferns deserves a lot of research; they're strong and hardy plants that can produce a fair crop and are perennials, but there's a lot of toxicity issues to hash out before considering them safe for long term consumption (though I doubt an occasional plate would do much harm). I guess it's similar to the whole "anonnacin" debate. I know plenty of ferns are habitually eaten and treated as delicacies, but has any particular species been conclusively proven to lack toxicity? I'm hoping there is, so I can add it to my own collection.

Databases are fun  ;)  It's a shame that the topic under discussion was one which I hadn't done any data curation on yet.

It's so much more useful when you can correlate, sort, and make formulae / queries on specific fields, rather than just having "info pages" online about each plant individually.  I can do so vastly much more with this data.

One of my most recent "toys" I've added to it is that I took GBIF species-location data and matched it off against NASA climate data  to determine the average climate for each species in the wild (at least the ones in the GBIF database - which is a lot!). I had previously written a system to parse "Range" descriptions, but it had some serious weaknesses (e.g. if the range says that the plant is native to "China", that could be anywhere from the high Himalayas to nearly Siberia to rainforests.  Australia was particularly annoying because I kept getting rainforest species showing up as desert because they'd say something like "Queensland", but it's only rainforest near the coast).  The old system worked, but had a higher failure rate than I'd like, so I'm glad I've got the GBIF data now (it falls back to the old range method for species not in the GBIF database).  I end up with things like... oh, let's pick an obscure species, like Duguetia lanceolata (southeast Brazil):

Winter temps (°C - low, high): 12-24
Avg. temps (°C): 16,1-26,8
Summer temps (°C): 19,3-29,6
Cloudcover (dry season, avg, wet): 54%, 69%, 82%
Days with recorded precipitation (dry, avg, wet): 8,9, 16,8, 25,6
Average hourly insolation (W/m² - minimum, avg, peak): 114, 143, 168
Average humidity (note: the NASA data is a bit quirky.  Dry, avg, wet): 68%, 76%, 81%
Average windspeed (m/s - calm season, avg, windy season): 1,65, 2,11, 2,55
Precipitation (mm/d - dry, avg, wet): 1,39, 4,25, 7,91
Monsoonal rating: 52%

Using this data I have it make climate matches to different predefined environments - e.g. a given species might be an 83% match for an ultratropical rainforest climate, a 93% match for a cerrado environment, a 22% match for a tropical desert environment, etc.  So I can then select plants by their environmental suitability to different conditions.

Did I mention that databases are fun?  :)  BTW, if you're not familiar with GBIF, definitely check it out, it's rather nifty.  For example, here's all of the entries for olea europaea, as an example:

https://www.gbif.org/species/5415040

Next up on the curation list: many dozens of species of cacti...


BTW - when I went through adding "plants containing powerful sugar-free sweeteners" (there's a lot of them, I had no idea!), I was surprised to find that one - the fern Polypodium vulgare - is an Icelandic native.  :)  I'm going to need to keep an eye out for  it.  It's a close relative to the better known Licorice Fern, although neither are actually related to licorice (licorice, too, contains a sugarless sweetening compound, which is what gives it the licorice taste as a side effect).
« Last Edit: June 02, 2018, 09:38:42 PM by KarenRei »
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KarenRei

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Re: Edible Conifers and other Gymnosperms
« Reply #23 on: June 02, 2018, 09:22:54 PM »
Thought I would add this pic of Bunya nuts here :)



I'm going to need to up my priority on curating species like that.  :)
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