Only the seeds on this page are limited-access—not to restrict availability, but to encourage successful propagation. (About Reserved Access) All other seeds are unrestricted access.
To receive these seeds, simply write on your request "I agree to the reserved-access terms."
NOTE: We do not supply these seeds unless you include the sentence: "I agree to the reserved-access terms." on your request!
Two types are reserved-access: rare, threatened, or endangered species, and seeds with prolonged, irregular, uncertain, or exacting germination requirements. To insure they reach experienced, qualified propagators, and to weed out "consumer-types", we reserve access to these seeds to those who:
1. Agree to propagate and distribute the plants, and to share their germination results.
2. Agree to distribute solely in the public domain—no patents, trademarks, or other intellectual property.
3. Commercial propagation is encouraged, but in the unlikely event that large-scale commercial distribution is achieved, benefit-sharing along the path towards the source, in accordance with the spirit of the International Convention on Biological Diversity, will be undertaken.
4. Absolutely, positively, NO refunds or replacements for any reason other than out-of-stock!
Thanks for helping insure that we can continue to distribute these special seeds!
ABRONIA (a-BRO-nee-a)
NYCTAGINACEAE. North American sand-loving plants grown for their attractive heads of fragrant flowers. Seed germinates best when husk removed (tedious!). Best in light sandy soil.
NEW—Abronia villosa. (b,v) R-ABRO-25. Packet: $2.50
'DESERT SAND-VERBENA'. Sweet-scented rose to lilac flowers in rounded clusters. Trailing tender perennial with roundish, inch-wide leaves. S. California to Utah. Good in hot, dry, sandy places.
ANIGOZANTHOS (a-nig-o-ZAN-thos)
HAEMODORACEAE. Odd, half-hardy or tender perennials with peculiar woolly flowers and sword-like leaves rising from a thick rootstock. Grow outdoors in California and the South. The cut flowers are excellent fresh or dried. Nectar-seeking birds are attracted to them. Best in well-drained soil, and keep dry during the winter rest. Sow on soil surface, keep moist. May take up to 1 - 3 months to germinate at 60 - 70°F. Hot water soak may help. After 1st spring, leave pots to bake dry in the sun all summer, and more seed will germinate the second spring. Most are easy from seed, and seed is viable for at least ten years. Smoke treatment may help germination.
—Anigozanthos flavidus Yellow Green. (b,h) R-ANIG-9Y. Packet: $2.50
'ALBANY' or 'TALL KANGAROO PAW'. Odd curved yellow green 1 1/4" flowers on branching spikes to 4 - 6 feet, summer to fall. West Australia. The hardiest species. Roots said to be eaten roasted. Germinates in 4 weeks; improved by GA-3.
—Anigozanthos humilis. (b,v) R-ANIG-11. Packet: $2.50
'CAT'S PAW', 'QUOLL'S PAW'. Large clusters of 2" paw-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. The smallest species, with narrow 6 - 8" leaves. Western Australia. GA-3 or smoke may help germination.
—Anigozanthos Manglesii. (b,g) R-ANIG-16. Packet: $2.50
'KANGAROO PAWS'. Stunning, vivid red and green woolly 3" flowers really do resemble kangaroo paws. To 3 - 6 feet, excellent for cut-flowers. Prefers light soil and will not tolerate cold wet areas. The floral emblem of Western Australia. An excellent species, will survive to Zone 8.
ARGEMONE (ar-je-MOE-nee)
PAPAVERACEAE. 'PRICKLY POPPY', 'ARGEMONY'. Showy annuals grown for their magnificent, poppy-like, yellow, white or purple flowers and for the striking foliage. Easily grown, standing hot, dry, barren soils and drought. Sow where they are to stand, or transplant from pots. Seed germinates readily in some species, others need to be fall sown, and some need GA-3. Seed half-life 4 - 5 years. "Handsome and unusual."—Booth.
—Argemone mexicana. (b,v) R-ARGE-16. Packet: $2.50
'PRICKLY POPPY', 'CHICALOTE', 'DEVIL'S FIG'. Large bright lemon yellow to orange 2 - 3" wide satiny, poppy-like flowers borne profusely on a thistle-like hardy annual to 1 - 3 feet. Attractive blue-green leaves variegated silvery. Tropical America. Good in hot, dry stony places, but thrives in the garden. Sometimes flowers all year here in California, and is sometimes a short-lived perennial. Sow in fall or give GA-3 and 4 months cold to germinate in 4 - 7 months at cold temperatures.
—Argemone platyceras. (b,v) R-ARGE-19. Packet: $2.50 Click for photo » Photo Link » Whole Plant » Flower
Large pure white satiny flowers in summer, sometimes blushed pale yellow, to 4 - 6" across, followed by spiny pods. SW U.S. & México. "Perhaps the finest of the white prickly poppies."—Grey-Wilson. Use GA-3 to germinate in 4 - 12 weeks.
NEW—Argemone polyanthemos. (b,v) R-ARGE-20. Packet: $2.50
'WHITE PRICKLY-POPPY'. Large diaphanous white poppy-like 3 - 4" blooms. Large prickly hardy annual or biennial to 4 feet. Eastern base of the Rockies. Striking in bloom. Seed viable 4 - 5 years. Give GA-3 to germinate in 1 - 12 weeks.
ARUM (AR-um)
ARACEAE. Jack-in-the-pulpit-like tuberous perennials with arrowhead-shaped leaves and interesting spathes. Good pot plants or outdoors in mild climates. Best in part shade and rich soil, with plenty of water while growing. germination prolonged and irregular, hold pots outdoors several years.
—Arum concinnatum tubers see Perishable Items page.
—Arum creticum tubers see Perishable Items page.
—Arum cyrenaicum tubers see Perishable Items page.
—Arum dioscoridis var. syriacum tubers see Perishable Items page.
—Arum italicum Marmoratum tubers see Perishable Items page.
—Arum italicum. (e,g) R-ARUM-12. Packet: $2.50
Foot-long arrowhead-shaped leaves with conspicuous silvery white veins. Large 6 - 12" spathe with lighter veins, followed by attractive clustered bright red berries in fall. England to North Africa. Fairly hardy (Zone 4) perennial to 2 feet. Easy in sun or shade, and good in pots. When blooming it gives off heat and is warm to the touch. Germination prolonged.
—Arum maculatum. (e,g) R-ARUM-16. Packet: $3.00
'CUCKOO-PINT', 'ADAM & EVE'. Green spathes to 10" long, often spotted with purple, in early spring, followed by clustered bright red berries in August and September. Hardy perennial to 1 foot, with 10" arrowhead-shaped leaves, often mottled with purple. Europe. Formerly used as an acrid medicine. The spathe generates heat when blooming. Easy and nice in pots. Germination prolonged.
ASPERULA (as-PER-oo-la or as-per-OO-la)
RUBIACEAE. 'WOODRUFF'. Herbs with whorled leaves and small flowers, grown in the border and rockery for their abundant bloom and for herbal use. Best in part shade and moist soil. Sow seeds in April for summer bloom, and September for early spring bloom. Seed viable over 3 years.
—Asperula odorata. (=Galium odoratum) (c,v) R-ASPR-12. Packet: $3.00
'SWEET WOODRUFF'. Sprawling perennial to 6 - 8", with whorled leaves and white flowers in clusters in May. Eurasia. Useful ground cover for shady places under trees, as it spreads rapidly and smothers itself with bloom. The herbage is not scented when fresh, but on drying it becomes perfumed with a delightful scent which is retained for years. The fresh shoots are steeped in wine and beer, including the famous 'May Wine' drunk on May first in Germany. They are also added to tobacco and snuff, and are placed among clothing. Germination prolonged, 7 months or more, and hold pots over 2 - 3 years for stragglers.
BOMAREA (bo-MAR-ee-a)
LILIACEAE. Tropical American twiners related to Alstroemeria, grown for their clusters of beautiful flowers. Good in the cool greenhouse, or outdoors in part shade in California and the South. Dies back in winter. Germination may be prolonged—try GA-3.
—Bomarea Caldasii. (e,v) R-BOMA-12. Packet: $3.00
Large showy clusters of 2" bell-shaped yellow-orange flowers with dark spots and reddish tepals. Twining vine to 10 - 17 feet, with 6" leaves. Northern S. America. Germinates in 3 - 7 months or so.
CALOCHORTUS (kal-o-KOR-tus)
LILIACEAE. Attractive bulbous plants from W. N. America. The flowers of many are of extraordinary beauty. Best in light soil with good drainage, excessive moisture being detrimental. Most do well in pots. Cold desert species need cool (40 - 50°F) temps. for germination; sowing a. 70°F may be harmful.
NEW—Calochortus ambiguus. (50) R-CALOC-8. Packet: $2.50
'DESERT MARIPOSA LILY'. Large 2" wide white to pinkish flowers spotted in the center. Desert bulb to 1 - 2 feet, in dry rocky soil. Arizona. Germinates irregularly over 6 months or so.
CARDIOCRINUM (kar-dee-o-KRI-hum)
LILIACEAE. Giant Himalayan lilies, grown for their striking display.
—Cardiocrinum cordatum. (d,v) R-CARDI-8. Packet: $3.00 Click for photo » Photo
Gram: $10.00
Large fragrant creamy white 6" flowers in clusters of 4 - 24 blooms. Tall lily to 6 feet, with heart-shaped foot-long leaves. Japan. Zone 6. Shade-lover. Start seed with 3 months cold, then alternate temperatures and hold pots for five years for stragglers.
NEW—Cardiocrinum cordatum v. Glehnii. (50) R-CARDI-8G. Packet: $3.00
Gram: $10.00 Photo Photos
'O-UBA-YURI'. Large fragrant greenish-white 6" trumpets in large clusters on stems to 6 feet. Large heart-shaped leaves. Japan. Zone 6. Germinates the second spring, or give 8 weeks each warm, cool, cold, cool, to germ. in 9 months. GA-3 helps.
—Cardiocrinum giganteum. (d,v) R-CARDI-12. Packet: $3.00
'G1ANT HIMALAYAN LILY'. The most magnificent of all lilies, reaching 9 - 12 feet tall, with racemes of 6 - 20 deliciously scented white flowers, each 6" long and nearly as wide. May & June. Large heart-shaped leaves. Himalayas, in damp, shady forest, 7500 to 10,600 feet. Easily grown in light sandy soil. Hardy to Boston. Sow in fall outdoors to germinate and give top growth the next spring. Flowers in 5 - 6 years.
CIMICIFUGA (si-mi-SI-fu-ga)
RANUNCULACEAE. Tall, stately, North Hemisphere woodland perennials grown for their slender spikes of flowers and handsome foliage, and also for their valuable medicinal roots. Good in part shade.
NEW—Cimicifuga acerina. (20) R-CIMI-2. Packet: $4.00
Slender spikes of white flowers in summer and fall. Hardy perennial to 3 feet, with maple-like leaves. Shady woodlands, Japan. Zone 5.
—Cimicifuga racemosa. (c,h) R-CIMI-21. Packet: $2.50 Click for photo »
'BLACK COHOSH', 'BLACK SNAKEROOT'. Narrow spikes of small white flowers, up to 2 feet long, in July and August. Bold perennial to 8 feet, with shiny, dark green compound leaves. E. N. America. Very showy and good in rich moist soil and part shade. The valuable medicinal roots are one of the best remedies for problems associated with menopause, PMS, ringing in the ears, and depression. Seed needs 2 - 10 weeks warm, then 12 weeks cold to germinate. Hold pots 3 years.
CLEOME
—Cleome serrulata. (c,h) R-CLEO-22. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $9.00
'ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEE PLANT', 'TU'MI' (Hopi name). Rosy lavender 1/2" flowers in dense racemes from June to August. Annual to 2 - 3 feet with trifoliate leaves. N. America. Grown as a bee-crop for a century. Excellent cut flower or annual hedge. The boiled leaves and flowers are eaten, tasting like mustard. The Hopi allow it to seed in their corn fields for spring greens, and they use it in making prayer-sticks. The Tewa of the Rio Grande make pottery paint with it. The Ramah Navaho boil the young plants 1 - 2 hours and discard the water. They use a cold infusion of the leaves as a deodorant. The Nightway god-impersonators drink a tea made of 'a few seeds' to gain a strong voice. Attracts butterflies. Sow in fall or give cold treatment and plant out when the ground is still cold. Strong sunlight may help. "If seed isn't scattered in fall or patted onto thawing soil in earliest spring, the soil is too warm and the seed does not germinate."—D.S. Larkin, Utah, 1/2001.
COLCHICUM (KOL-chi-kum)
LILIACEAE. Crocus-like cormous perennials from the Mediterranean & Central Asia, most blooming in late summer and fall, after the narrow leaves wither. Good in full sun. "Colchicums are most charming and interesting plants of easy culture."—L.H. Bailey. Seed often slow to germinate.
—Colchicum autumnale. (c,v) R-COLC-2. Packet: $2.50
'AUTUMN CROCUS', 'MEADOW SAFFRON'. Showy purple or white flowers to 4" across, blooming in autumn. Hardy perennial with narrow, foot-long leaves. Europe. Zone 5. The corms and seeds are the source of colchicine, used in the treatment of gout and to induce chromosome doubling in plant breeding. Give seed warm/cold/warm, and seedlings will straggle in over 1 - 3 years.
EUPHORBIA
Dormant species may need cold, nicking, or GA-3.
—Euphorbia enopla. (e,g) R-EUPH-40. Packet: $2.50
'BOKNOORS'. Cactus-like succulent shrub to 1 - 3 feet, with many 2" thick, 6 - 7 -angled branches with red to purple 1 - 2" spines. Flowers have striking dark red bracts. S. Africa. Zone 7. CITES Appendix II endangered species. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Euphorbia inermis. (e,f) R-EUPH-70. Packet: $2.50
Clumps of foot-long, finger-like, succulent, knobby stems rise from a thick caudex to 6" across. Small woolly-white flowers in spring and summer. S. Africa. Zone 9. CITES App. II endangered species. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks, and GA-3 may help.
—Euphorbia schoenlandii. (d,g) R-EUPH-136. Packet: $2.50
Weird 8" thick stems with spiny tubercles, sometimes resembling a green pineapple. May reach 4 feet tall, rarely branched. S. Africa. CITES Appendix II endangered species. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
FRITILLARIA (fri-ti-LAR-ee-a)
LILIACEAE. Hardy North Hemisphere bulbs with odd, often checkered, nodding bell-shaped flowers. Most do well in any rich garden soil & part shade.
NEW—Fritillaria acmopetala. (10) R-FRIT-4. Packet: $2.50
Large nodding bell-shaped shiny green-yellow 1 1/2" flowers with chocolate-purple markings, April and May. Hardy bulb to 16", with narrow grey-green leaves. W. Asia. Zone 6. Germinates at cold.
NEW—Fritillaria persica. (20) R-FRIT-32. Packet: $4.00
Maroon-violet nodding 34" bells in tall spikes of up to 50 blooms, April and May. Hardy bulb to 2 - 3 feet, with grey-green leaves. E. Mediterranean. Zone 5. Germinates at cold temperatures.
NEW—Fritillaria tubaeformis. (d,v) FRIT-46. Packet: $3.00
Large dark red, bell-shaped, somewhat checkered 2" flowers in April and May. Hardy bulb to 10". SW Alps. Zone 6. Germination is irregular at cold to cool temperatures.
KADSURA (kad-SU-ra)
SCHIZANDRACEAE. Twining E. Asian shrubs.
NEW—Kadsura japonica. (10) R-KADS-13. Packet: $3.50
10 grams: $10.00
Fresh seed stored moist and refrigerated for rapid germination.
'EVERGREEN MAGNOLIA VINE'. Creamy yellow 3/4" cup-shaped flowers in summer, followed by showy red fruits on female vines. Evergreen climber to 12 feet, with dark green lustrous 4" leaves that sometimes turn red in autumn. Japan. Zone 7. Grow several to have both sexes. "A plant of extraordinary beauty in autumn when the clusters of scarlet fruit are ripe... in autumn no plant is more beautiful."—Sargent.
LEUCHTENBERGIA (look-ten-berg-EE-a)
CACTACEAE. A single endangered species.
—Leuchtenbergia principis. (e,g) R-LEUCH-4. Packet: $2.50
Peculiar cactus with elongated grey-green tubercles tipped with papery 4" spines. Somewhat resembles an Agave. Reaches 2 feet tall, with golden-yellow 3" flowers. México, where is is used medicinally. A CITES Appendix I endangered species, cannot be sent out of the U.S. Well-drained soil. Can bloom in 4 - 5 years. Use GA-3 to germinate in 3 - 4 weeks.
LUNARIA (loo-NAR-ee-a)
CRUCIFERAE. Old fashioned annuals and perennials grown for their attractive, sweet-scented flowers and the large, flat, silvery pods used in dried arrangements. Easily grown, standing poor soil, part shade, and drought. Reseeds well. Sow early in spring or fall in mild climates.
—Lunaria rediviva. (10,h) R-LUNA-4. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $10.00, 10 grams: $16.00
'PERENNIAL HONESTY'. Handsome hardy perennial to 4 - 7 feet, with larger and lighter-colored flowers than L. annua, and with pods much longer than wide. Blooms in May & June. Europe. An odd and interesting counterpart to the common species. "A stately plant."—I. Grabo. Seed highly dormant, needs to be sown in fall for outdoor conditions.
MAIANTHEMUM (my-AN-the-mum)
LILIACEAE. Low rhizomatous perennials with white flowers. Related to lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria). Easy in shady places.
NEW—Maianthemum dilatatum. (d,v) R-MAIA-12. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 80% Tested: 8/09, Gram: $7.50, 5 grams: $15.00
'BEAD-RUBY'. Tiny white flowers in 2" spikes, followed by golden to red 1/4" berries. Hardy perennial to 4 - 16", with large, heart-shaped 2 - 8" leaves. Moist shady woods, Pacific Northwest to East Asia. The berries were eaten by the Indians, and the plant was used for a wide variety of medicinal purposes. Seed germinates in 3 - 5 months warm.
MANDRAGORA (MAN-dra-GOR-a)
SOLANACEAE. Famous hardy stemless perennials of myth, magic and medicine. Good in the border or wild garden in well-drained soil and part shade.
—Mandragora turcomanica. (5,g) R-MANDR-23. Packet: $7.00 OUT OF STOCK
Click for photo »
10 seed: $12.00, 25 seed: $25.00, 50 seed: $40.00 OUT OF STOCK
An extremely rare species, said to be possibly extinct in the wild, and fewer than 300 plants in cultivation. Large purple and cream bell-shaped flowers in the center of a rosette of large 1 - 2 foot crinkled leaves with white mid-ribs. Fruits like a yellow-orange tomato. Makes big rosettes a yard or more across, from a thick, branching, alkaloid-rich root. Originally native to only a small area of NE Iran and adjacent Turkmenistan, where local villagers would harvest them for medicine, or transplant them to gardens for the highly aromatic leaves and fruits. Some have proposed this as a source of 'soma', and it has been used as an aphrodisiac. Seed has been primed with GA-3, and will give good germination in 1 - 3 months or so.
MONODORA (mo-NO-dor-a)
ANNONACEAE. Tropical African trees and shrubs.
NEW—Monodora Myristica. (5) R-MONO-16. Packet: $5.00
Fresh Seed Just Arrived in April: 25 Seed: $15.00, 100 Seed: $40.00
Click for photo » Flower
'CALABASH NUTMEG', 'AFRICAN NUTMEG'. Spectacular rare tree. Amazing fragrant flowers that dangle from the tree on 8" peduncles. Each has three large 4" wings that are red netted creamy yellow, around a globe-shaped cream center. Softball-sized fruits with nutmeg-scented pulp. Tree to 20 - 100 feet, with drooping 20" leaves. W. Africa. The seeds have a nutmeg flavor, and are used as a spice and medicinally.
PARIS (PAR-is)
LILIACEAE. Eurasian Trillium-like perennials.
NEW—Paris quadrifolia. (25) R-PARI-24. Packet: $3.00
'HERB PARIS', 'LOVE APPLE', 'TRUE LOVE'. Sends up a single stem with four 6" leaves, from the center of which blooms a single greenish-white flower with long spidery sepals that remain while the blue-black berry ripens. Hardy perennial to 8 - 16", for cool moist woodlands. Eurasia. Zone 5. Unusual in that some years it doesn't send up a shoot, but the rhizome persists. Odd medicinal uses, allegedly aphrodisiac. Give seed warm, cold, warm.
PHYTOLACCA
—Phytolacca insularis. (d,v) R-PHYO-12. Packet: $3.00
Rare Korean endemic, a large plant to over 10 feet tall, with reddish stems. The leaves contain an anti-viral protein. Listed as endangered by the Korean government. GA-3 gives some germination in 1 - 4 months.
SMILAX (SMI-lax)
LILIACEAE or SMILACACEAE. Woody or herbaceous vines from thick roots, grown for their handsome foliage. Seeds may be difficult to germinate; hold pots several years. Attractive and worth the effort.
NEW—Smilax china. (10) R-SMIX-12. Packet: $3.00
5 grams: $7.50
'PA-CH'IA'. Yellow-green flowers in clusters followed by red berries in fall. Deciduous vine to 16 feet, with round, shining, pointed 3" leaves. Japan and Korea. Zone 6. Young shoots and leaves eaten, leaves used as tea, & root used in Chinese medicine.
STYLIDIUM (sti-LID-ee-um)
STYLIDIACEAE. Odd, mostly Australian plants, with styles that spring up when touched. Dainty, attractive, 4-petaled flowers. GA-3 or smoke helps germination.
The International Triggerplant Society
—Stylidium affine. (100) R-STYD-4. Packet: $2.50 Flower Plant and Flowers Photos and info
'QUEEN TRIGGERPLANT'. Four-petaled white flowers flushed lilac, in spikes to 6 - 30", above narrow basal leaves. S.W. Australia. Smoke or GA-3.
—Stylidium brunonianum. (500) R-STYD-8. Packet: $2.50 Flower Whole Plant Info
'PINK FOUNTAIN TRIGGERPLANT'. Spikes of pink flowers on stems to 1 1/2 feet, with odd, whorled needle-like leaves. S.W. Australia. Seed germinates best with smoke treatment or GA-3.
STYPANDRA (sty-PAN-dra)
LILIACEAE. Australian perennials grown for their lovely blue 6-petaled flowers. Half hardy perennials with narrow leaves. Mild climates.
—Stypandra glauca. (d,v) R-STYP-4. Packet: $2.50
'NODDING BLUE-LILY'. Clusters of bright blue starry, pendant 1/2" flowers. Half hardy perennial to 1 - 3 feet, with leafy stems, sometimes sprawling, with narrow 4 - 8" leaves. Australia. Zone 8 or 9. Germinates with smoke or fall sowing.
STYRAX (STY-rax)
STYRACACEAE. Warm-region shrubs & trees grown for their showy white flowers. Prefers light soil & protection from cold.
NEW—Styrax japonicus. (10) R-STAX-16. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $7.50
'JAPANESE SNOWBELL'. Fragrant white, nodding bell-shaped 1/2" flowers in small clusters, followed by 1/2" fruits. Small tree to 30 feet, with graceful spreading branches. Japan, China. The hardiest, to Zone 5. The fruits are said to have been eaten. Hold pots or flats several years; slow.
NEW—Styrax japonicus var. rubricalyx. (10) R-STAX-16R. Packet: $2.50
Rare variety with pale pink flowers and red calyces. Zone 5. Very nice.
NEW—Styrax Obassia. (5) R-STAX-32. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $7.50
'FRAGRANT SNOWBELL'. Fragrant bell-shaped inch-long white flowers in long pendulous racemes in June. Small tree or shrub to 30 feet, with large 10" leaves. Japan. Zone 6. Prechill 2 - 3 months.
TETRATHECA (te-tra- THEE-ka)
TREMANDRACEAE. Australian evergreen shrubs grown for their nodding bell-shaped flowers. Best in part shade and rich moist soil.
—Tetratheca hirsuta. (e,v) R-TETR-18. Packet: $3.00
Bright rose bell-shaped flowers in spring. Small evergreen shrub to 2 feet, with tiny, downy 1/2" leaves. W. Australia. Choice. Soak seed, remove aril, and use smoke or GA-3 to germinate.
THOMASIA (TOM-a-SEE-a)
STERCULIACEAE. Small showy Australian shrubs.
—Thomasia quercifolia. (c,v) R-THOM-36. Packet: $2.50
'OAK-LEAVED THOMASIA'. Nodding white five-petaled flowers blushed pink towards the dark reddish center. Shrub with fuzzy, lobed, oak-like leaves. S. Australia. Smoke treatment may help.
TRICHOSANTHES (tri-ko-SAN-theez)
CUCURBITACEAE. Tendril -climbing annual or perennial vines grown for food and medicine. Easy in a warm sunny spot and rich soil.
—Trichosanthes cucumeroides. (10) R-TRCS-10. Packet: $3.00
10 grams: $15.00
'KARASU-URI'. Vermillion-red egg-shaped 3" fruits on a vigorous perennial vine to 15 feet, with 3 - 5-lobed 4 - 6" leaves. White flowers with beautifully-fringed petals. Japan. Zone 7. Forms a large tuberous root that has been used for starch, and can be lifted and stored over winter in cold climates. The immature fruits are preserved in salt and miso, and the ripe fruits used as soap. Has some of the most peculiar-looking seeds I've ever seen!
—Trichosanthes kirilowii var. japonica. (10) R-TRCS-24J. Packet: $3.00
10 grams: $10.00
'KI KARASU-URI'. Egg-shaped yellow 3" fruits on a vigorous perennial vine to 20 - 30 feet, with beautifully-fringed white flowers and 3 - 5-lobed 4 - 5" leaves. Japan. Zone 6. The tuberous roots can be lifted in cold areas, and have been used as a source of starch. Fruits have been eaten prepared, and the seeds are a source of edible oil.
TROPAEOLUM
—Tropaeolum speciosum. (5,v) R-TROP-40. Packet: $4.00
'FLAME FLOWER'. Vermillion-red 1 1/2" flowers followed by bright blue berries. High-climbing vine to 10 feet or more, with 5 - 7-lobed leaves. Chile. Zone 8. Give seed 4 weeks warm, then shift to cold, and leave at cold till stem shows, up to 3 months.