Hi Dell and all, *Ipomoea aquatica* is an important vegetable in Vietnam where I was born. It is eaten widely by the poor because the plants grow vigorously in waterways. In some poor villages, it makes up the bulk of vegetable/foodstuff consumed. There are some nutrients like important vitamins that one can extract by eating these plants. They are both eaten raw and cooked. Raw *I. aquatica*has a very crispy texture and distinctive flavor. However, there is fear that the milky latex contain toxins and the plants have been shown to accumulate toxic by products of biological activities such as waste/sewage treatment. Another fear is that eating the raw tissue will give you an intestinal fluke parasite called Fasciolopsis. It is common where pigs are raised. The flukes will encyst on aquatic vegetation, waiting for the next animal that chomps on those leaves. In the US it seems to be an invasive weed where it is warm and wet. *Houttuynia cordata* is also eaten in southern Vietnam, but only the leaves not rhizomes. The smell is very distinctive and to me it's quite different from cilantro. It serves as an important herb condiment along with mint and Thai basil in Vietnamese cuisine. It has an interesting property of partially preventing the blood from clothing. Herbalists take advantage of this property and prescribe it for certain ailments. During war-time, soldiers must be very careful to not eat these plants, which I'm told is hard for some because it makes up an important part of the cuisine. I have too made the mistake of planting these in the ground. The rhizomes go very deep and you must dig very deep down and get every.single.piece in order to get rid of the plant. *Allium tricoccum* is cultivated in many parts of the country and is celebrated with it's own festival. It is native to the eastern US and probably need a cold winter dormancy. I would like to grow it here in the mild climate of central CA but have not been brave enough to try. Has anyone tried growing it in wild climates? It is sold here in the spring and is one of those items that dissappear quickly from the grocery special produce shelf. Thanks for these fascinating topics. Nhu Berkeley, CA, USA ----- http://www.flickr.com/photos/xerantheum/ On Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 3:28 PM, Dell Sherk <dells@voicenet.com> wrote: > Dear Jim and Tsuh Yang, > > I have grown water spinach, Ipomoea aquatica, in the vegetable garden, so > it > doesn't need a lot of water. I have always been confused by reports that > "morning glories" are poisonous. > > Houttuynia cordata --- this has been a menace in my herb garden where I > made > the mistake of planting it. It is very invasive, smells awful (not nearly > so > nice as cilantro which it is supposed to resemble) and cannot be weeded > out. > I resorted to painting each bit that sprouted, with an herbicide, but next > year will tell the tale. > > On the subject of edible alliums, Allium tricoccum - ramps or wild leeks - > are a seasonal folk food in parts of West Virginia. I have eaten them > boiled > and could hardly recommend them except to those folks who are fond of great > chunks of raw garlic - not exactly the same taste, but the same kind of > intensity. But I hear that they are being served as a delicacy in fine > restaurants. Does anyone know if it is possible to cultivate these bulbs? I > have a source and would like to try. > >