Stachys affinis

Stachys affinis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Stachys
Species: S. affinis
Binomial name
Stachys affinis
Synonyms[1]
  • Stachys sieboldii Miq.
  • Stachys tuberifera Naudin

Stachys affinis, commonly called crosne, Chinese artichoke,[2] Japanese artichoke,[2] knotroot,[2] and artichoke betony,[3] is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Lamiaceae, originating from China. Its rhizome is eaten as a root vegetable.

Description

Tubers of Stachys affinis.

The plant is easy to grow, but the tubers are small, convoluted, and indented, so they are considered very tedious and difficult to clean properly. The thin skin ranges from a pale beige to ivory-white colour. The flesh underneath, under proper cultivation, is white and tender. Chinese poets compare it to jade beads. The tubers are harvested in the fall season in the Northern hemisphere.

Culinary use

The flavor of the stem tubers is delicate, and they can be prepared similarly to Jerusalem artichokes in cooking. It is used as a vegetable, in salad compositions, but more so as a garnish. It has a nutty flavor.

In Chinese and Japanese cuisine, the Chinese artichoke is primarily pickled. In particular, its tuber is a part of Osechi, cooked for celebrating Japanese New Year. Dyed red by leaves of red shiso after being pickled, it is called chorogi. In Korea it is called ChoSeokjam.

In French cuisine, its cooked tuber is often served alongside dishes named japonaise or Japanese-styled.

References

  1. ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Stachys affinis". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "Stachys affinis". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  • Stachys affinis in Plants for a Future database
  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Ward, Artemas (1911). The Grocer's Encyclopedia.
  • Crosnes
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