When I visited the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh (RBGE) in September 2016 I was pleased to find an exhibition of portraits of Nepalese plants, many of which were edible and information was even provided on food and other uses of the plants shown! The exhibition celebrates the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Britain and Nepal and the even longer botanical relationship of the gardens with Nepal (see http://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/21610).
The exhibition features drawings made by a group of 6 RBGE artists that visited Nepal in 2015 as well as a Nepalese artist. See also http://www.mdhardingtravelphotography.com/single-post/2016/08/13/Bicentenary-UK—Nepal
My album of pictures show the edible and fibre plants on display!
Gaultheria fragrantissima has aromatic leaves and edible fruits eaten fresh and distilled into an alcoholic drink
The national flower of Nepal, Rhododendron arboreum…although not mentioned at the exhibition, the flower petals are eaten and in some areas the petals are pickled by simply mixing with salt and chili!! One day :)
Myrica esculenta, the Kafal tree, a relative of a common plant found in bogs here, bog myrtle (pors) has “delicious” fruits
Bauhinia purpurea, Korailo is a leguem with multiple food uses: flower buds and young fruits are cooked as a vegetable or pickled and its seeds are also fried and eaten
Leucosceptrum canum, Bhusure is used as an insecticide, ripe fruits are eaten by children and the flowers yield a yellow food colouring
Thysolaena latifolia (Tiger grass) is an important fibre plant
Midway through the exhibition was a short film from the visit of the RBGE artists
Herbarium specimen of a nettle species (Urtica)
This is one that I’ve tried unsuccessfully in Malvik. Allo or Girardinia diversifolia is known as the Himalayan Nettle and is an important fibre plant..
Articles made with Himalayan Nettle
A backstrap loom used to weave Himalayan Nettle
The paper on which this portrait is painted is made from this plant, Daphne bholua (Lokta paper)
Mahonia napaulensis (Jamane mandro) berries are eaten fresh or dried.
Girardinia diversifolia (Himalayan Nettle; Allo) is a potentially useful plant for the forest garden. The young leaves, inflorescenses and seeds (roasted) are eaten). It’s a large clump-formimg perennial reaching 3m in damp woodlands. It’s also an important fibre plant, like stinging nettle.
I have a feeling it won’t prove hardy here, we’ll see….
Perennial vegetables, Edimentals (plants that are edible and ornamental) and other goings on in The Edible Garden
