Potato Orchid
Gastrodia sesamoides
Basic Information
Family: Orchidaceae
Genus: gastrodia
Plant ID (slug): gastrodia-sesamoides
Numeric ID: 765
USDA Hardiness: Coming soon
Ratings
Physical Characteristics
Gastrodia sesamoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Distribution
Australia, New Zealand.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: Root - raw or cooked. It resembles a beetroot in flavour but is watery and insipid[46, 61, 144, 173]. The root can be up to 15cm long and 4cm thick[193]. Leaves. Eaten by the Australian Aborigines in Tasmania[193].
Medicinal Uses
None known
Known Hazards
None known
Detailed Information
Additional Information
Title: Gastrodia sesamoides Potato Orchid PFAF Plant Database
Meta Description: Gastrodia sesamoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.