Achira (Canna edulis) is an Andean root crop that enjoys a tropical climate. Recognizable as a relative to Canna indica, which also produces an edible rhizomes, Canna edulis can produce 2 to 3 foot edible rhizomes! Primarily it is used for starch production, but smaller roots can be quite tender when well cooked. This plant is quite stunning in the garden and has potential as a landscaping crop with ‘survival’ food potential.
OUR WORK
The Utopian Seed Project has been growing Achira in Western NC for a couple of years and is working with plant stock from board member, Yanna Fishman. The specific cultivar is unknown and we are interested in promoting this crop as a food source as well as exploring additional varietal potential.
Canna edulis aka Achira is a Andean tropical perennial that we can grow in North Carolina as a temperate annual. Achira produces a large edible rhizome that could become a significant root crop as our climate warms. It`s also a beautiful landscaping plant!
This is the first video of a Utopian Seed Project series called, Meet-the-Plant, where plant experts introduce you to less known plants (in North Carolina) that have food production potential.
In this video, Brandon Ruiz, founder of CLT Herbal Accessibility Project and The Utopian Seed Project board member, gives a historical, botanical and culinary overview of Canna edulis aka Achira.
Learn more at utopianseed.org
A few shots from the #experimentalfarm today @frannysfarm
1. Pigeon Peas aka Gandules from @brujobrandon
2. Red Turkish Okra from sustaining sponsor, @twoseedsinapod
3. Taro
4. Moringa
5. Chaya
6. True Potato Seed grown potatoes from @cultivariable
7. Yacon in the foreground and some Japanese beetle chewed Achira aka Canna edulis in the background.
#growyourownfood #experimentalroots #chaya #yacon #achira #pigeonpea #gandules #moringa #tps
Canna edulis aka Achira: a beautiful #andeanrootcrop that produces tropical red leafed foliage and large underground rhizomes. Known primarily for it`s large starch molecules, Canna edulis is used in Colombia to make Achira Biscuits (bizcochos de Achira), which are boarded onto the @slowfood_international Ark of Taste.
If any Colombian cooks or bakers want to experiment then please get in touch!
Thanks to @sowtrueseed for helping with the harvest!
#experimentalfarm #experimentalroots #achira #cannaedulis #canna #starch #arkoftaste #communitysupported
This year we are growing #Achira from our traditional rhizome with beautiful red variegated leaves, but also from seeds given to us by @feels_like_far
The seed grown achira is smaller and has single color green leaves, but it`s already flowering! Excited to hopefully save some seeds for the first time.
#cannaedulis #seedsaving #regionaladaptation #tuspachira
Achira (Canna edulis) is a traditional Andean root crop that can be eaten raw but is often turned into a flour. Here we peeled and sliced the roots and dehydrated them at 135F for 8hrs until they fully dried. Next we ran them through a coffee grinder to make a fine flour. Now we can experiment with the Colombian tradition of making Achira Biscuits, as archived on the @slowfood_international Ark of Taste.
#achira #cannaedulis #andeanrootcrop
Excited to see how Canna edulis aka achira performs in WNC. It has the potential to form large edible tubers, and unlike many of the Andean root crops (i.e. oca), does not have a photo sensitive period to contend with. Plus it`s a stunning ornamental.
#achira #cannaedulis #edibleexperiments #experimentalroots #diversity
TESTING A THEORY
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