HERBACEOUS PLANTS Herbaceous Plants Cultivated by Commercially Purchased Seed the Ni-Vanuatu Before European for Subsequent Sale in Markets
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HERBACEOUS PLANTS Herbaceous plants cultivated by commercially purchased seed the ni-Vanuatu before European for subsequent sale in markets. contact were few, and the major- However, we draw attention it y of herbaceous species culti- to the existence of two major vated nowadays, such as onions, herbaceous food plants that are chives, carrots and radishes, local: sugar cane ( Saccharum have been introduced. They officinarum ) and pitpit are generally propagated from (Saccharum edule ). A I N A E C O F O S N E D R A G 222 Genus Allium Family Liliaceae The genus comprises over 600 species spread through the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Among these 25 species are edible and eight are of economic importance. Five species are present in Vanuatu. Species present Allium ampeloprasum L. var. porrum (L.) J. Gay Leek (minor species; see CD-ROM) Allium cepa L. var. ascalonicum Backer Shallot, eschalot (aggregatum group) Allium cepa L. var. cepa L. Onion (common onion group) Allium fistulosum L. Spring onion, bunching onion Allium sativum L. Garlic Allium tuberosum Rottler ex. Sprengler Garlic chive, Chinese chive Of all the introduced Allium species onion is the most valued. Garlic is very uncommon, and garlic chives (or Chinese chives) are mainly eaten by the Asian population. References De Candolle (1883), Encyclopédie des aliments (1997), French (1986), Hanelt (1990) , Ochse & Bakhuizen van den Brink (1980), Phillipps (1982), Rabinowitch & Brewster, eds (1990), Smartt & Simmonds, eds (1995), Viard (1995), Weightman (1989), Zeven & de Wet (1982), Zohary & Hopf (1994). A. fistulosum : the above references plus: Inden & Asahira (1990), PROSEA (1994), Täckholm & Drar (1954). A. sativum : the above references plus: Jayaweera (1981), Philipps & Dahlen (1985). S T N A L P S U O E C A B R E H 223 Bulbs very variable in shape, Complementary food plant, size and colour. Leaves (three to introduced eight) cylindrical and hollow, Allium cepa slightly flattened in cross section, (aggregatum group and 30–50 cm long. Spherical umbel common onion group ) on a long, erect stalk that can reach 1 m in length, bearing Onion, shallot, eschalot 50–2000 greenish or purple flowers. Fruits globular, tiny History (0.5 cm in diameter), containing six black seeds. The eschalot is The onion appeared in the centre distinguished by having several of Asia, probably in Turkestan tiny bulbs closely joined to each and more widely in a region other instead of a single bulb, encompassing Afghanistan, and by flowers that are always Uzbekistan and the Tien Shan greenish. region of Kyrgyzstan. From there it spread to the Mediterranean region very early on. It is one of Morphological variability the most ancient of cultivated The intraspecific variability of plants. The Greeks and the the species is such that it has Romans acquired it, and their not been possible to develop morning snacks then were often a classification of the varieties raw onion and bread. Charle- that are found. The common magne, who held the onion in onion (var. cepa ) can be high regard, ordered that it be distinguished from the eschalot planted throughout his lands. (var. ascalonicum ). Both of th In the 12 century the eschalot these groups are themselves appeared in France, derived from very variable. Around the world the onion. Nowadays the onion a great diversity of onions exists, and the eschalot are cultivated according to bulb shape (elon- in numerous countries. They were gate or round), colour (yellow, introduced to Vanuatu at the end red, white, straw-coloured) and th of the 19 century, and although taste (mild or pungent). For the majority of the onions that example, there is the Italian red are consumed are still imported, onion (a large red onion, quite the Department of Agriculture strong, which keeps well), the is encouraging its cultivation, Spanish onion (coppery yellow, particularly in the southern with a mild and sweet taste) and islands where it grows best, as the white onion (quite mild). do all the other Allium species. The variability of the eschalot is also very great. Moreover, Description numerous onions produced nowadays in North America, Herbaceous plant with an edible Europe and Japan are hybrids. A bulb, made up from the bases of I Since some local businesses in N leaves rolled around each other. A Vanuatu import commercial seed , E C O F O S N E D R A G 224 the ni-Vanuatu plant a variety The plant is very rich in vitamin of seed each year according C. Recent studies have shown to what has just arrived. that regular consumption of onions reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. Mature bulbs Cultivation and of eschalot are not used much. production On the other hand the leaves, Vanuatu, like all tropical coun- sold with their immature bulbs, tries, imports the majority of the are much sought after. They are onions that are eaten there, even sold under the name of ‘green though the plant is cultivated in onion’. the gardens, mixed among other plants, from the second year Food plant occasionally eaten, after the harvest of the yams. introduced The Department of Agriculture Allium fistulosum in Tanna set up demonstration plots to promote the cultivation Spring onion, bunching onion of onion. After Independence it continued to encourage onion History growing, suggesting in particular the varieties Red Creole, Tropic This is a cultivar from an Red and Yellow Granex. However, unknown wild species, originally even these varieties which are from Siberia and central China described as ‘tropical’ have great where it was domesticated. The difficulty in forming bulbs, and a first mention of it is in a Chinese mistake in the growing schedule book dating back to 100 BC. It (for example a delay in the date was introduced to Japan around of sowing) can bring disaster to 700 AD. Since then it has been the crop, which is really only the main onion in Asian gardens, possible to grow in winter. The used as a condiment and even onions resulting from seeds can as a vegetable in certain dishes. also be multiplied by vegetative The spring onion reached Europe means. The eschalot is also via Russia in the Middle Ages. propagated vegetatively by It was introduced to Vanuatu transplanting the lateral bulbs. by missionaries. Alimentary uses Description On an international scale the Perennial herbaceous plant with onion is undoubtedly the spec ies a bulb that is not very clearly that is most widely produced differentiated. Bulb not very and most eaten of all the Allium distinct, protected by thin, papery species. The plant is very popular membranes, reddish. Leaves in Vanuatu, and above all is an cylindrical and hollow, circular ingredient in the preparation of in cross section, pointed at their new dishes, corned beef stews, tips, 30–50 cm long. Umbel almost S T spherical, bloom centrifugal, N curries and other casseroles. A L P S U O E C A B R E H 225 3–7 cm in diameter, bearing Alimentary uses small greenish or white flowers, In Vanuatu the leaves with or without bracts, 0.5–1 cm. Fruits without the bulbs are sold in round, 0.5 cm in diameter, with small bundles under the name minute black seeds. of ‘green onion’ ( oignon vert ), like A. cepa var. aggregatum Morphological variability and A. cepa var. ascalonicum . However, they are quite The spring onion has two main uncommon. They are added to varieties: the common spring soups and sauced dishes, and onion, which has a slight swell- they may replace coriander in ing at the base of the leaves, salads. They are often used in and the St Jacques spring onion Asian cuisine but not much which has numerous elongate in others. bulbs that are brownish in colour . In Indonesia and Japan several forms are distinguished according Other uses to the width and colour of the The spring onion is used very leaves. The numerous Japanese much in Chinese medicine, but cultivars are also classified does not seem to be used this according to the type of environ- way by the people of Vanuatu. ment to which they are adapted. Finally, A. fistulosum has been crossed with A. cepa to produce Plant occasionally eaten, fertile hybrids that are propa- introduced gated by seeds. Allium sativum Garlic Cultivation and production History The spring onion tolerates heat Garlic is not found in the wild very well and yields quite well in state apart perhaps from in the northern islands, especially the deserts of Kyrgyzstan. It is Santo. It is grown from seed or believed to have come from an vegetatively. Sowing is followed ancient species ( A. longicuspis by thinning out of the seedlings, Regel) which originated in central and then earthing up in such a Asia. In the earliest times it sprea d way as to produce long, whitened to the eastern Mediterranean. stalks. The total duration of the Dried garlic was found in the growing cycle from sowing to tomb of Tutankhamen (1325 BC) harvest of the bulbs varies from and carbonised bulbs in sites in 140–170 days. No serious diseases Iraq dating back to 2000 BC. The occur in Vanuatu, where spring Egyptians, Greeks and Romans onions may be grown through- used the plant as a therapeutic out the year intercropped with A food, and it has been grown for I root and tuber crops. N an equally long time in India and A E C O F O S N E D R A G 226 China. The Crusaders introduced Cultivation and th e plant and its therapeutic uses production to France, but although its use spread around the countries in This frost-resistant plant likes the Mediterranean ring, it was cool climates.