Sunday, June 26, 2011

I’ve Got to Go and See Dr. Cool!

Not because I am not well, but because I have a plant in my garden I’d like to know more about.

It was given to me by a local farmer friend, identified as “Bracilla rubra” or “Brasilla rubra”, but I cannot find information about it on the web. After the small plant started growing (and growing!), I learned that it had originally come from Dr. Cool and that’s why I need to go and see him.

I was told that this is “the ideal food” – and it may well be. It certainly grows rapidly and it is also an attractive plant, so gardeners may want to have it around even if they don’t eat it. I have tried it – not a particularly wonderful taste, but good enough to add to a salad, and it did not kill me. At least it has not so far. But until I learn more, I think I will stick with known lettuces, arugula and spinach.


It looks good enough to eat, doesn't it? 

Leaf tips turn red-ish; hence, I suppose the "rubra" in its name. 

It pretty much quadrupled in size in a month's time. 

Before I find out more about it, I will keep it in a container on my patio,
accompanied by a variety of other pretty plants.

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