References Mavrodiev et al., 2004
Plant Smallanthus sonchifolius
Origin From the Andes, introduced into the Philippines in 2000.
Morphological features/ Identification marks
― Roots/tubers Crisp, sweet-tasting tuberous root.
― Stem
― Leaf
― Flower/Fruits
Genetic Makeup
References Cruz et al., 2007
Plant Hemerocallis spp.
Origin Unknown origin
Morphological features/ Identification marks
― Roots/tubers
― Stem
― Leaf
― Flower/Fruits Flowers of members in sections Fulvae Nakai and Capitatae Nakai in the genus Hemerocallis are orange-yellow, fragrant lemon-yellow flowers in section Hemerocallis.
Genetic Makeup Diploid and triploid. x = 11 basic chromosome number, 2n = 33
References Kang and Chung, 2000; Ting, 1988.
Plant Stachys affinis
Origin
Morphological features/ Identification marks
― Roots/tubers Tubers are similar to those of S. palustris, but shorter and thicker, i.e. branching surface rhizomes, oblong tubers divided into segments, sometimes even 20 cm long and 2 cm broad.
― Stem
― Leaf Broader leaves
― Flower/Fruits
Genetic Makeup 2n = 66
References Tundis, et al., 2014; Roy et al., 2013; Łuczaj et al., 2011
Plant Tacca
Origin Southeast Asia
Morphological features/ Identification marks
― Roots/tubers Tuberous rhizome with eyes, starchy, similar like potatoes, 10–15 cm diameter in general, reaches 30 cm in good rich soils, 70–340 gm weight in general, pale yellow skin, dull whitish flesh, raw form bitter and inedible in nature.
― Stem Perennial herb
― Leaf A single petiole, 60–90 cm long, deeply lobed 3 segment possessing 30 cm leaf blades, pinnate.
― Flower/Fruits Long-stalked inflorescence, which may arise from basal tuber, green flower umber, 3–4 cm long, with usually 6 bracts, inner bracts purplish and thread like. Ovoid, yellowish and smooth berry.
Genetic Makeup 2n = 30
References Anil and Palaniswami, 2008; www.nzdl.org site with book title “Root crops” authored by Kay, D.E. (1987); Baldwin and Speese, 1951.
Plant Cochlospermum spp.
Origin Latin America, Africa, the Indian Sub-continent, and Australia.
Morphological features/ Identification marks
― Roots/tubers
― Stem
― Leaf
― Flower/Fruits
Genetic Makeup
References www.wikipedia.org
Plant Sphenostylis stenocarpa
Origin Ethiopia
Morphological features/ Identification marks
― Roots/tubers 5–7.5 cm long with 50–150 g weight, spindle-shaped tubers externally similar to sweet potatoes possessing white and watery flesh.
― Stem Vigorous, herbaceous, climbing vine of 1.5–2 m height.
― Leaf Trifoliate leaves 14 cm in length and 5 cm in breadth. 2.5 cm-long mauvish-pink, purple or greenish-white colored conspicuous flowers on stout axilliary peduncles.
― Flower/Fruits Linear, flat, glabrous seed pods 25–30 cm long and 1–1.5 cm broad, raised margins, 20–30 ellipsoid, rounded or truncated seeds with creamy-white or brownish-yellow, dark brown, sometimes with black marbling color.
Genetic Makeup
References www.nzdl.org site with book title Root crops’ authored by Kay, D.E. (1987)
Plant Sagittaria sagittifolia
Origin China
Morphological features/ Identification marks
― Roots/tubers 4–6 small subterranean tuberous rhizomes.
― Stem 0.6–1.2 m tall robust, perennial, aquatic plant.
― Leaf Smooth, broad sagittate leaves
― Flower/Fruits Long-peduncled, glabrous, racemose, simple or branched. Erect inflorescence with white, whorled, flowers on a purple-spotted base. The flat carpels crowded into globular head.
Genetic Makeup
References www.nzdl.org site with book title “Root crops” authored by Kay, D.E. (1987)
Plant Hitchenia caulina
Origin India
Morphological features/ Identification marks
― Roots/tubers Normal-sized as of an orange, white fleshed and covered with fibrous roots.
― Stem Herb with a leafy stem, 0.9–1.2 m high.
― Leaf Oblong-lanceolate, fibrous leaves 30–50 cm long and 7.5–10 cm breadth.
― Flower/Fruits Yellow flowers with long peduncle on a central spike.
Genetic Makeup
References www.nzdl.org site with book title “Root crops” authored by Kay, D.E. (1987)
Plant Eleocharis dulcis
Origin First cultivated in Southeast China
Morphological features/ Identification marks
― Roots/tubers Subterranean rhizomes of two types. The young white, scaly, brown corms become sub-globose, 1–4 cm long, somewhat flattened on maturity.
― Stem Dark chestnut-brown coloured outer skin, usually rounded or onion-shaped, 1–4 cm diameter, crisp and white flesh.
― Leaf Variable, annual, stout, tufted, aquatic, sedge plant with numerous upright tubular septate stems of 0.9–1.5 m and 50–100 per plant.
― Flower/Fruits Lack leaves
Genetic Makeup 50 insignificant flowers at top of stems, achenes are found.
References Www.nzdl.org site with book title “Root crops” authored by Kay, D.E. (1987)
Plant Icacina senegalensis
Origin Indigenous to West and Central Africa
Morphological features/ Identification marks
― Roots/tubers A large, underground fleshy tuber like large turnips or beetroots and variable size, 30–45 cm in length, with 30 cm diameter and 3–25 kg weight. The greyish tubers with thin skin enclosing white flesh, usually speckled with yellow spots.
― Stem Shrubby perennial, variable form. The 1 m aerial stems are light green in color with glabrous or pubescent erect leafy shoots.