STAR FRUIT

OTHER NAMES:

KARAMBOLA

BOTANIC NAME:

Averrhoa carambola

Native to Indonasia/ Srilanka.

Cross section of the fruit resembles a stars, hence its name.

Carambola trees are small, bushy evergreens with drooping branches.

Medium size tree, grows up to a height of 2-3 meters.

Star fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked. It is used for making Pickles.

Sweet and sour tasting fruit can be added as a garnish to salad.

It is a good source of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C has a wide range of positive effects on our health,

These include -

Antioxidant properties,

Boosting the immune system,

Promoting healthy skin, hair, and nails,

Increasing calcium uptake,

Increasing iron absorption....

But....

It is reported that in patients with chronic kidney disease, the consumption of star fruit may cause neurological problems. Presence of Oxalic acid is the reason for such problems.

CHEERA CHEMBU

(ചീര ചേമ്പ് )

OTHER NAMES:

Tahitian spinach,

Tahitian taro.

മക്കളെ പോറ്റി 

BOTANIC NAME:

Xanthosoma brasiliense.

Cheera chembu is a nutritious and delicious leafy vegetable.

Recently introduced in kerala and substituted the position of colacasia leaves.

This particular taro was developed for its yield of edible leaves and stems rather than its tuber as it has the least amount of irritating crystals and does not need a long cooking time – ten minutes is adequate.

The plant is native to the West Indies. It is belived that it was brought to Hawai from Tahiti island ,thus its name came as Tahitian spinach .

The leaves and leaf stems are eaten as a cooked, green vegetable and used for preparing delicious “Thoran”.

The leaves and leaf stems provides protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium and vitamins A, B, and C.

The leaves can be harvested all year round. 

GROWING PERIOD :

Can be planted throughout year.

First harvest can be taken after 4-6 weeks.

PROPAGATION:

Cheera chembu is propagated vegetatively by leaf-bearing small side shoots or suckers. 

It must be planted in a rich, damp, organic soil to grow well.

Sorghum

(Jower)

മണി ചോളം 

Sorghum is a cereal grass, used as a food and feed grain.

Fifth most important cereal in the world.

The crop is heat and drought tolerant.

Can be grown in any type of soil.

According to USDA, sorghum is a powerhouse in terms of nutrients. It can provide Vitamins like  thiamin (Vitamin B1), riboflavin (Vitamin B2),  and niacin(Vitamin B3),  as well as high levels of mangnesium, Iron , Copper, Calcium, phosphorous and Potassium. It contains nearly half of the daily, required intake of Protein and a very significant amount of dietary  Fiber.

A 2018 study conducted by US researchers suggests that sorghum bran rich in polyphenol may have anticancer potential and further research and scientific evidence is required. 

Another research published states that sorghum may have anticarcinogenic and antitumor properties and may prevent metastasis of cancer such as Breast cancer. It may also          anti-oesophageal effects suggests the same study. 

WATER MORNING GLORY (VAYAL CHEERA)

(വയൽ ചീര )

Botanic name: Ipomea aquatica

Family: Convolvulaceae

Other names:

Water spinach, 

River spinach,

water convolvulus,

Chinese spinach,

Chinese Watercress,

Chinese convolvulus,

Swamp cabbage 

Kangkong 

Phak bung 

Kangkung 

Gazun 

Kalmi saag .

Water morning glory semi aquatic leaf vegetable. 

Grows about one foot in height, if it get support  grow up to two meter in height. 

Stems are hollow. 

As its name suggest it is a water loving plant.

Flowers:

 3-5 cm in diameter, white in colour, Trumpet shaped.

Propagation:

By seeds or stem cutting.

Food value:

Tender stems with leaves are used as food.

Detaled studies showed that the Ipomea aquatica leaves contained

Gross energy value of 141.4 Kj/g.

Protein  3%,

Carbohydrate  4.5 %,

 Lipids 0.3 %,

Moisture  78 %,

Ash 1.6 %,

Fibre 1.4 %

Amino acids =4765 mg/100 g

Minerals

 Potassium   444 mg/100 g

 Calcium 163 mg/100g

 Sodium  159.8 mg/100g

 Phosphorus  86 mg/100 g

 Magnesium 52 mg/100 g

 Copper  5.3 mg/100 g

 Zinc 4.1 mg/100 g

 Iron 3.2 mg/100 g

 Manganese  2.3 mg/100 g

Medicinal value:

It is considered as laxative, hence commonly recommended for piles.

It is reported that Ipomea aquatica  provide nerve calming effect in case of sleeplessness, stress, headache and general weakness.

Other uses:

Ipomea aquatic a may be useful in removing heavy metalas and other minarals from contaminated water,such as drainage and municipal wastes.

Foot note: For food purpose never plant this plant near waste dumping areas/ waste burning areas. It will very easily absorb toxic minerals as well as heavy metals and this may leads to health hazards.