PERMACULTURE BASED ON REGIONAL EDIBLE PLANTS

Though the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly
simple.
Bill Mollison
According to anthropology mankind throughout history has eaten around 80 000 different plants as
part of their diet. Today 20 000 of those plants are documented. According to wikipedia there are
another 30 000 not documented. In the Aegean region at least 400 of these grow naturally.
A fraction of what grows around us naturally is being used for food: Out of 50 000 edible plants
currently 20 staple foods make up for 90% of food production to feed the world. Most staple foods
are hybrids, grown out of their natural habitat, prone to pests and diseases, mostly grown by force
through water abuse, fossil fuels and pesticides. This depletes the soil, promotes desertification and
pollution, makes us sick, and will eventually not sustain the human race. To prevent future famine
and social collapse we need to expand the number of plants we view as food.
My aim is to identify what grows around me, and if it is useful, to nurture it and introduce more.
And since Turkey is rapidly approaching a tropical climate, we need to look south for future food
plants, and introduce them here. This short list does not include common species like lemon, olive,
corn, grape and potato et cetera, but rather forgotten food plants. This is a short list, there are many
more.
Many of the plants listed here might not be very tasty nor produce much bulk, but through the sheer
force of diversity they will provide food security and health, as well as heal the soil rather than
depleting it. This blueprint is about food security through individual initiative, to prevent famine
and diet related diseases (i.e. cancer and diabetes), not to produce gourmet food.
Feeding the world through gardening might sound like an insane idea, but fact is that modern
agriculture is not only failing miserably at the same task, but making the problems worse. It is an
increasingly complex problem with an embarrassingly easy solution: All we really need is more
food plants and more gardeners!
Recommended video (soil management):
http://www.backtoedenfilm.com/
Plants for a Future website (info on 7000+ edible plants):
http://www.pfaf.org
My website (400 edible plants in the Aegean region):
http://aegeanedibles.weebly.com/
Facebook:
Fethiye Odd Foods
Mail:
klaspersson1976@hotmail.com
Recommended books:
Trkiye'nin Yabani Besin Bitkileri ve Ot Yemekleri - Ertan Tuzlac.
Edible Plants: An inspirational guide to choosing and growing unusual edible plants - Plants For A
Future.
Food from the fields: Edible wild plants of Aegean Turkey Paperback Evelyn Lyle Kalas.
* = Plants I have identified growing naturally around us.
= Plants I have successfully introduced.

EDGE PLANTS (cacti, shrubs & climbers):

Alcea rosea Hollyhock
240cm
Native. Perennial. Frost hardy. All parts edible. Digestive and respiratory organs.
Aloe vera Aloe
80cm
Native. Perennial and evergreen. Frost hardy. Medicinal and edible in small doses. Purifier,
traditional skin healer.
Asparagus acutifolius Asparagus *
150cm
Native. Perennial and evergreen. Frost hardy. Detox. Spring harvest. Young shoots edible.
Atriplex halimus Saltbush
Native. Perennial evergreen with edible leaves.

200cm

Basella alba Malabar spinach

900cm
Tropical. Perennial. Frost tender. Climber. Edible leaves.
Capparis spinosa Caper *
100cm
Native. Perennial. Frost hardy. Grows directly on stone. Flower buds, leaves, flowers and young
stems edible. Peppery when raw, best when pickled. Digestive system and blood healer. Summer
harvest.
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn
600cm
Native. Perennial. Frost hardy. Deciduous shrub. Edible flowers, fruits and leaves.
Cynara cardunculus Cardoon
200cm
Native. Perennial. Frost hardy. Edible flowers, young leaves, roots and stems. Liver healer.
Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem artichoke
240cm
Native. Perennial. Frost hardy. Edible tubers. Bulk food. Extremely easy to grow, just replant a few
bulbs when harvesting and they will multiply. Compost.
Lycium barbarum Goji
300cm
Native. Perennial. Frost hardy. Deciduous shrub. Edible fruits and leaves. Traditional Chinese
medicine; antibacterial, liver and kidneys. Where frost does not occur fruiting is continuous and
plants do not lose their leaves. Fruits extremely rich in vitamins and minerals.
Opuntia ficus-indica Prickly pear *
500cm
Native cactus. Perennial and evergreen. Frost hardy. Very easy to grow, just cut a pad and stick into
the soil. Edible fruits and pads. Bulk food. Purifier, diabetes.
Phaseolus coccineus Runner bean
300cm
Native. Perennial. Frost tender. Climber. Edible beans. Originally a tropical plant it has become a
popular ornamental plant and cultivated as an annual in temperate climate. Nitrogen fixer.
Sauropus androgynus Katuk
250cm
Tropical. Perennial shrub. Frost tender. Leaf vegetable popular in Asia for high yields and
palatability. Berries, flowers and young shoots also edible.
Smilax aspera Sarsaparilla *
300cm
Native. Perennial and evergreen. Invasive climber. Young leaves and shoots, root and berries edible.
Blood and liver cleanser, powerful detox.

Tropaeolum majus Nasturtium

350cm
Tropical. Perennial. Frost tender. Climber. Edible stems, leaves and flowers.
Vitex agnus-castus Hemp tree *
300cm
Native. Perennial. Frost hardy. Medicinal. Edible seeds and leaves. Summer harvest. Also called
females plant due to its' hormone regulating properties.
Cajanus cajan Pigeon pea
Tropical. Perennial.

350cm

Cnidoscolus chayamansa Mayan tree spinach

600cm

TREES (for protection, shade, natural mulch and seasonal food):

Ilex paraguariensis - Yerba mate
1500cm
South American origin, evergreen tree with edible leaves. Popular as a beverage.
Ziziphus jujuba Jujube
Traditional Chinese medicine.
Moringa oleifera Moringa
Tropical food plant. Bulk food.
Artocarpus altilis Breadfruit
Tropical food plant. Bulk food.
Gingko biloba Gingko
Asian medicinal plant.
Argania spinosa Argan
Argan oil.
Azadirachta indica Neem
2000cm
Tropical food-, medicine- and companion plant. Oil and mulch is a natural pest repellent. Tender
shoots and flowers are edible.
Adansonia digitata Baobab
2500cm
Tropical. A 25 meter tall tree with edible leaves and fruits that stores water in the trunk. It is
promoted to have the potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development,
and support sustainable land care.
MAIN PRODUCE:
Allium ssp. - Onion
An underestimated and abused food plant. Most onions are perennials, and can be used as cut and
regrow plants if the bulb remains in the ground. Also regrows readily from kitchen scraps. These are
my favourites:
Egyptian walking onion
Chives
Garlic
Scallion

Alternanthera sissoo Brazilian spinach

30cm
Tropical. Perennial. Frost tender. Edible ground cover.
Amaranthus Amaranth *
annual, native, invasive, summer harvest. Smaller wild amaranth is a common weed in our region,
ancient staple food of native Americans. Seeds are used as a cereal, very nutritious but not properly
medicinal, the tiny seeds are commonly and expensively sold as health food, could and should
replace wheat as staple food. Hardier, healthier, gluten free.
Amaranthus cruentus Red amaranth
200cm
As a young green, colorful and tasty, traditionally the highly colored flower bracts are used to make
corn bread red. Mature plant produces showy, thickly flowered tops.
Amaranthus hypochondriacus Golden giant
120cm
Native to South America, probably the easiest grain plant to grow in the home garden, as it is highly
adaptable and gives terrific yields of delicious golden seeds.
Amaranthus tricolor Chinese spinach
100cm
This is a drought and heat tolerant vegetable that is grown for the red leaves that can be cooked up
like spinach. Fast growth in summer soils. Flavor mild, color comely.
Amaranthus viridis Calalu *
50cm
This is a drought and heat tolerant vegetable that is grown for the dark green leaves, which are used
extensively in African and Vedic cooking traditions.
Chenopodium ssp.
Annual/perennial, native, summer
Chenopodium bonus-henricus Good King Henry
Perennial spinach. Frost hardy. Edible flowers, leaves and seeds. Was replaced by commercial
annual spinach due to bigger leaves.
Chenopodium album Lambs quarter *
Native, annual, self seeding, invasive, common summer weed.
Cyperus esculentus Tiger nut
90cm
Native. Perennial. Edible leaves and tubers. A widespread weed from the tropics to temperate
climates. Leaves can be used for weaving hats and matting et c.
Plantago ssp. - Plantain *
Plantago major - Broadleaf plantain
10cm
perennial, native. Disputedly the most common weed and healthiest human food on Earth, fibrous
and bland taste, ancient medicinal, expels parasites, wound healer, antibiotic, antidote, and much
much more.
Rheum officinale Rhubarb
Perennial with edible stems. Frost hardy.
Rumex ssp.
Urtica dioica Stinging nettle *

120cm

perennial, native, local winterweed, invasive, nutrient abundance, ancient medicinal, immune
system, antihistamine, eczema, allergy, hay fever, compost, fiber, dye.
Malva sylvestris Mallow *
50cm
perennial, native, invasive, local winterweed, invasive, guts and respiratory system
Althaea officinalis Marsh mallow
perennial, native, ancient medicinal plant, respiratory and digestive organs.
Arctium lappa Burdock
annual, self seeding, invasive, powerful cleanser and detox.
Brassica oleracea oleracea Wild cabbage
perennial, native, frost hardy. The ancestor of cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli hybrids.
Beta vulgaris maritima Wild beet
perennial, native, frost hardy. The ancestor of beetroot, sugarbeet and chard.
Crambe maritima Sea kale
perennial, native, frost hardy.
Colocasia esculenta Taro
perennial, tropical. Edible roots and leaves.
Camassia quamash - Camassia
Staple food of native Americans.
Cichorium intybus Chicory
Perennial, native, self seeding, invasive, bulk food, extremely easy to grow-super food.
Sonchus oleraceus Sow thistle *
Silybum marianum Milk thistle *
Aralia nudicaulis Wild sarsaparilla
40cm
perennial, traditional medicine of North American natives.
Armoracia rusticana Horseradish
Perennial. Self seeding. Frost hardy.

70cm

Diplotaxis tenuifolia Perennial wall rocket

perennial, native.
Nigella sativa Black cumin
40cm
annual, native. According to the prophet Mohammed the seeds cure everything but death, expels
parasites, diuretic, digestive, stimulant, gut, respiratory, menstrual, repellent.
Foeniculum vulgare Fennel
Perennial and evergreen. Frost hardy.

150cm

Apios Americana Ground nut

Perennial vine with edible beans and tubers. Nitrogenfixer.

Stachys affinis Chinese artichoke

Perennial. Frost hardy.

50cm

Levisticum officinale Lovage

Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort
Cyperus esculentus Tiger nut
Perennial. Edible leaves and tubers.
Bunias orientalis - Turkish rocket *
Perennial. Native. Invasive.

50cm

EDIBLE GROUND COVER:

Trifolium pratense *
perennial, frost hardy, native.
Trifolium repens *
perennial, frost hardy, native.
Trigonella foenum-graecum Fenugreek
annual, self seeding, native.
Polygonum cognatum - Madimak
perennial, native.
Portulaca oleracea Purslane *
30cm
annual, native, self seeding, invasive. Local summerweed, reputedly favourite food of Ghandi,
antibacterial, fever, skin, tonic, expels parasites, improves brain function, Omega 3, nutrient
abundance.
Lamium ssp. - Deadnettle *
Perennial/annual, self seeding, native, winter harvest.
Stellaria media Chickweed *
Anagallis arvensis *
EDIBLE COMPANION PLANTS/WILD LIFE ATTRACTORS:
Achillea millefolium Yarrow
60 cm
perennial, native, potent medicinal, cold, fever, kidneys, menstrual, compost.
Bellis perennis Daisy *
20cm
perennial, native, ancient medicinal, wound healer, liver, eczema, rheumatism, cancer
Borago officinalis Starflower
60cm
annual, native, fever, respiratory, kidneys, companion plant, soup thickener.
Calendula arvensis Calendula *

30cm

annual, native, local winterweed, potent medicinal, stimulant, skin healer, antiseptic, inflammation,
companion plant.
Fragaria vesca Wild strawberry
perennial, native, diuretic, tonic, rheumatism.

30cm

Tagetes patula French marigold

30cm
annual, self seeding, digestive, respiratory system, companion plant.
Tagetes lucida Mexican tarragon
Papaver rhoeas Field poppy *
60cm
annual, native, local summerweed. Ancient medicinal, cough, sedative, painkiller, syrup, dye, ink,
thrives on disturbed soil.
Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot
Taraxacum officinale Dandelion *
50cm
perennial, native, local winterweed. ancient medicinal, diuretic, liver, gallbladder, tonic, detox, skin
complaints, warts, antibacterial, gallbladder, compost.
Chrysanthemum coronarium Chop suey *
Matricaria chamomilla Chamomile *
Primula veris Primrose
30cm
endemic perennial, painkiller, sedative, cramp, rheumatism, fever, inflammation, diuretic
Viola odorata Violet
Symphytum officinale Comfrey
Salvia officinalis Sage
60cm
evergreen, ancient medicinal, mouth, teeth, antiseptic, compost, repellent and much much more.
Echinacea purpurea Coneflower
The most commonly grown medicine plant on the planet.
TROPICAL (some extremely food economic plants from tropical climate, need protection
from frost):
Ipomoea batatas Sweet potato
Perennial, invasive, climber, edible leaves and tubers, frost tender. staple food of native American
Indians. Foilage will die with frost, tubers can survive in well protected soil and regrow in summer.
Manihot esculenta Cassava
Needs preparation before consumed.
Psophocarpus tetragonolobus Winged Bean
200cm
Perennial. Frost tender. Climber. Edible roots, stems, leaves and seedpods. Widely cultivated as a
food plant in the tropics and sub-tropics.

Tamarindus indica Tamarind

Suptropical Africa. Evergreen. Edible fruits.

1800cm