Kh'merican Backyard Gardening. Vegetables and Herbs

Gynura scandens O.Hoffm. is  an all green slightly velvety variety. Commonly known as Okinawa Spinach is one of the most treasures herb among Hmong people and its community. This herbs is used in many Hmong traditional dishes. It is also used in conjunction with other herbs to aid mom with new birth in a 30 days postpartum regimen. In the USA, It is a must have herb in backyard growing of very Hmong household and community. This variation of Gynura species overall feels, looks, growths habits,  environmental needs are the same.  From my personal experience, I believe G. Scandens is closely related to G. Crepioides.   Both are covered with fine fuzzy hairs and feel somewhat velvety.  Native to China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and neighboring countries. Cultivate in many other countries for its culinary and medicinal value. Tender leaves and shoots is harvested and eaten raw or cooked.  It is rich iron, calcium,  potassium,  and vitamin...

(Sedum sarmentosum). Its features lends it the common name Stringy or Trailing Stonecrop, while the blooms lend it the names Yellow Moss, Star Sedum, or Gold Moss.  Among the Hmong community it is used in conjunction with herbs for medicinal purpose to treat fatigue during the early stages of pregnancy.  A native of the tropical Asia.  An edible ground-cover plant. It's a crisp and tender succulent like plants.  My family use it in many Khmer dishes. Soups, Salads, or as wraps in dipping paste/sauce (Khmer Pesto).

(Glinus Oppositifolius) cây càng tôm,  ប្រមាត់ដី literally translated to "Earth-Bile". Also know as Sweetjuice.  The Khmers uses it in stew or a quick blanched as wraps in dipping sauce (Khmer Pesto). A native to Cambodia.  An Annual thrive in the summer season.  It is found growing in different soils and conditions. Sandy, moist, and drought field  It's a small sprawling bitter medicinal leafy green that grow flush to the ground. Whole plant is fuzzy and bitter.  It's an all basal leaflets. Bears white or pinkish flowers. 

Goji Berry or Wolfberry is the fruit of either Lycium Chinense or Lycium Barbarum. The two are closely related species of Boxthorn in the nightshade family,  Solanaceae. Lycium Chinense is grown in the southern part of China,  and  Lycium Barbarum is grown in northern part of China. A hardy perennial in USDA zone 5-9. It's an edible shrubs.  Goji Berry is an excellent choice for live fencing, bordering a property. New branches are easily break off for upkeep and pruning.  Berries,  tender leaves and young shoots is harvest for consumption.  Tender leave and shoots is an excellent substitute for Melientha Suavis/ស្លឹកព្រិច. Use in Khmer traditional Soups, Stews,  and Stir Fry. It is rich with  vitamin C  and other nutrients NUTRITION: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/45108487?fgcd=&manu=&format=&count=&max=25&offset=&sort=default&order=asc&qlookup=WILDERNESS+POETS%2...

ស្លាបកណ្ដូប or Lathyrus latifolius, also known as  foreverlasting Pea. Among the  Khmers,  it is known as Slab Con-Dobe, or The 80s Leafy Green (in reference to the time of discovery). The sprawling of an ombre white and fuchsia pea like flowers against a backdrop of its lush green tender shoot is an undeniable greeting along the roadside. An eye-catching sights that eventually lead a family of a Khmer refugees into a new discovery of a wild edible in a foreign land called USA in the early 80s.  Without any knowledge of this foreig plant an elder lady lived in Washington State named it based on the apparent of its leaflets and stems, Slab Con-Dobe. In translation,  Wing Grassshopper wing. One household at a time as the name spread, and making its way into the Khmer's  Kitchen till the present day. Four decades later the Khmers still foraging for this wild edible flowers and tender shoot as an occasion called for. This is one of many wild food foraging...