Gardening with Wilson

I contributed an article on edible tropical flowers in the October 09 issue of the Home Concepts magazine. As most of us are aware, flowers are reproductive structures of flowering plants where their main biological function is to produce seeds needed to perpetuate the species. Available in a wide range of forms and colours, flowers have long been admired and used by humans to beautify their living environment.

Broccoli, cauliflower and artichoke are three common examples where flowers are edible and used as a vegetable. Some flowers are used as a spice to flavour food and there are others, such as the chrysanthemum, which possess medicinal properties. These plants are difficult to grow in Singapore’s tropical climate but there is a range of tropical plants that one can grow easily and they too, produce flowers that have food uses.

In this article, I introduced five different types of edible flowers. They include the banana flower (Musa x paradisiaca), torch ginger (Etlingera elatior), butterfly ginger (Hedychium coronarium), spiral ginger (Costus species) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).

All plants featured in the article can be grown in an outdoor garden with a semi-shaded location that has moist, fertile, well-draining soil and protected from strong winds. The red button ginger (Costus woodsonii) and Japanese honeysuckle can both be grown in containers in sunny location in a high-rise apartment.

Before picking any flower, check whether any pesticides have been applied on the plants. One has to observe the withholding period of the pesticide (time interval after application of the pesticide before any part of the plant can be used for consumption).

It is important to consume all flowers in moderation and always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. They should never replace competent diagnosis or be a substitute for prescription medicine.