Chinese Artichoke (Stachys affinis)

Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Stachys affinis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from May to November, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pleasant mild flavour and easily digested, but fairly small and fiddly, they are about 5 - 8cm long and 2cm wide. — Tubers - raw or cooked.; Quite a pleasant mild flavour and easily digested, but fairly small and fiddly, they are about 5 - 8cm long and 2cm wide.; A nutty artichoke-like flavour, it can be eaten raw on its own, be added to salads or be lightly cooked.; The tubers quickly discolour when exposed to the air and are said to lose their flavour if they are peeled.

Habitat & North American Range

Wet and submersed areas; 0-3200 m. Gansu, Hebei, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Xinjiang. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)