Rocalba : Hobby Catalogue

VARIETY DESCRIPTION USES AND PROPERTIES OREGANO Perennial plant measuring around 40 cm in height. Oval-shaped leaves, hol- ding glands that produce essences. Mauve-pink flowers in terminal groups. Due to its strong aroma, it is prevalent in mediterranean cooking and has a wide variety of uses as seasoning. Acts as tonic and digestive aid. CULTIVA- TION: warm climate and moist, sandy soil. Can be grown all the year round. The leaves of the plant are used as a condiment, both dried and fresh; although dried they have much more flavor and aroma. It occupies a preeminent place in Mediterranean cuisine as a condi- ment of very wide application. It has tonic and digestive properties. It has a strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. COFFEE Shrub of 3 - 7 m. Persistent, brilliant, dark-green leaves. First flowers appear after 3 - 4 years. The fruit is a red drupe with 2 seeds. Can be cultivated as an interior plant in temperate climates. CULTIVATION: sow in substratumwith 25 - 28 ºC. Warm climates, not resistant to frost. Needs partial shadow. Clip to 2 - 3m height, to foster ramification and facilitate the haverst. Seasonal blooming: during humid time. It is used for its leaves, which have a pleasant and aro- matic flavor, in salads and as a condiment. The dried leaves can be used as a spice. In home medicine it is used as a depurative, diuretic and refreshing. COMMON CHERVIL Deep-rooted annual plant with a large number of branches measuring some 40-60 cm in height. Flowers form umbels. Leaves are valued for their pleasant aromatic taste and used in salads and as seasoning. In household remedies it is used as blood tonic, diuretic and refresher. CULTIVATION: soils fertilised with hu- mus, shady in summer and sunny in winter. Harvest when leaves measure 5 cm. In addition to its known properties as a central nervous sys- tem and neuromuscular stimulant, coffee also has diuretic and anti-hypertensive properties. PENNYROYAL MINT Perennial herbaceous plant measuring around 40 cm in height. Spear-shaped, aro- matic leaves and lilac flowers, which form a cyme. Has a minty flavour and is used in herbal infusions, either on its own or mixed with other herbs. Has medicinal properties as a stomach tonic, digestive aid and carminative agent. CULTIVATION: humid envi- ronment and fertile soil. The leaves can be used when green, or dried in the shade. Mint flavored, it is used in infusion, alone or mixed with other herbs. It is used in infusions, with relaxing effect. It has medi- cinal properties as a stomach tonic, digestive and carminative. It also has emmenagogue qualities. LIQUORICE Perennial plant. Height: 1,5 - 2 m. Ligneous trunk with regenerating growth every spring. Violet-blue flowers, growing in bunches in foliar axils. The extractable part of the plant is the root, which is dug up in autumn, when the leaves are turning yellow and falling, beginning in the third year after sowing. Use: infusions. Sweet and scen- ted taste. Properties: expectorant, anti-spasmodic, gastrointestinal ulcers. CULTIVA- TION: sandy ground. Prefers climates with a long and warm summer. Exposed to sun. It is mainly used in infusions. Sweet flavor and very perfumed. Properties: expectorant, spasmolytic, against gastrointestinal ulcers, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic. ROSEMARY Perennial shrub which grows to a height of over 1 m . Has a large number of branches, linear leaves and blue or white flowers, which form small terminal spikes. Due to its strong aroma, it has a wide range of uses as seasoning in meat dishes, sauces, etc. Widely used in the perfume industry. CULTIVA- TION: prefers light, limy soils in a sunny position. The leaves and sometimes the flowers are used. It is very rich in active principles. It has a wide application as a condiment for meats and sauces. It is widely used in perfumery. Rosemary has beneficial properties against ulcers and rheumatic pains. It also relieves coughs and is good for the liver. RUE Ligneous perennial plant measuring around 60 cm in height. Very resistant, with blue-green leaves and yellow flowers. Has a strong aroma and spicy, bitter flavour, used in moderation as seasoning in salads and cheese. CUL- TIVATION: prefers limy soil and sunny positions. It is used as a condiment for salads and cheeses. It contains substances of certain toxicity, so it should be used in modera- tion. It has emmenagogue properties. RHUBARB Vivacious plant with thick rhizome. Big, webbed basal leaves; long fleshy red petioles. Cluster flowers in green colour. Leaves dry and fall in winter. Really long living plant. CULTIVATION: in deep, fertile and loose soil. Fre- quent watering. The leaf blades are potentially toxic, due to their high oxalic acid content; but the petioles (stems) are perfectly edible and are used mainly in compotes, and in the form of salad if raw. SAGE Shrub-like plant which measures around 60 cm in height. Grey-green, oval-sha- ped, rough leaves and purple flowers, which form axillary glomerulus. Due to its strong and pleasant aroma, it is an essential seasoning for roasted dishes and sauces. Has notable medicinal properties as a digestive aid, tonic, diuretic and antirheumatic. CULTIVATION: prefers loose soils in a sunny position. With an intense and pleasant aroma, it is an indispensable condiment for roasts and sauces. It has remarkable medici- nal properties such as digestive, tonic, diuretic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, antiseptic, hypoglycemic and antispasmodic. SANGUISORBA Perennial rhizomatose plant. 3 to 12 pairs of eliptic leaflets with serrated edges. Red flowers in spherical flower heads. Leaves have a scent similar to walnuts and cucumber. Perfect for salads, as a vegetable, or in soups. Also used to scent vinegar. CULTIVATION: calcicole plant, exposed to sun, drained ground. The nutty, cucumber-scented leaves are eaten in salads, as a vegetable, in soups or in sauces. Used to flavor vinegar. SOY BEAN Soy is an annual plant, 40-60 cm in height. Edamame is of Japanese origin, for which immature soy pods are used and boiled in salted water. If the pods are allowed to yellow, the bean becomes hard and dry, and can then be used to make tofu or miso. CULTIVATION: It needs heat to develop; keep the soil cool, but not waterlogged. It contains vitamin C, vitamin B3, potassium, calcium, magne- sium and iron, ideal to prevent osteoporosis and arthritis. In cooking it is used as an appetizer. THYME Small shrub measuring around 25 cm in height. Everlasting dark green leaves, grey on the bottom side, purple flowers, which form small conical bunches. Wide variety of uses as seasoning and in making essences. Has medicinal properties as a stimulant, antiseptic and antispasmodic. CULTI- VATION: prefers dry atmospheres and light soils in a sunny position. It is used as a condiment of very diverse application in cooking, in obtaining essences. It is highly valued for its medicinal pro- perties: it is a powerful antiseptic on ulcers and wounds, has anti-inflammatory properties, is stimulating, tonic, antiseptic and antispasmodic. VALERIAN Straight, hollow-stemmed perennial plant measuring 1 m in height. The fo- liage consists of numerous petiole leaflets. The flowers, which are very per- fumed, are grouped in terminal umbels. Has notable properties as a sedative and antispasmodic. The roots are cut in spring and dried in the shade. CUL- TIVATION: requires moist soils and a humid environment. It has remarkable calming and anxiolytic properties, balancing the nervous system. It is also antispasmodic. The part of the plant used are the roots, which are cut in spring and dried in the shade. SUMMER PURSLANE Annual plant measuring around 15 cm in height. Oblong, fleshy leaves and ye- llow flowers with no petiole. Used as seasoning in creams and salads, etc. As a medicinal plant it has diuretic properties. CULTIVATION: well aired, fertile soil. It can be consumed as a vegetable or soup. It has a slightly sour and salty taste. It is a remedy against constipation and inflammation of the urinary system. 159 TECHNICAL INFORMATION TECHNICAL INFORMATION