Cunninghamii Gastrodia (Gastrodia cunninghamii)

Family: Orchidaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Gastrodia cunninghamii is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from July to August. 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 full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Sweet and mealy. — The root is up to 40cm long, as thick as an adults finger, and full of starch.

Habitat & North American Range

Dark shaded places in deep woods, usually in beech forests, on North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)