Plants with multiple edible parts: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:02, 5 August 2012

Besides their initial use, crops can also be used for other tasks. Indeed, one of the principles of permaculture is that every plant should have at least 3 uses. Is this the same as "Stacking Functions"?^{[verification needed]}) Depending on the plant in question and the environment it is used in, these other functions can be:

use as insect repellent: some herbs can also repel insects.
shade: under a fruit trees can be a great place to sit, especially in summer.
companion plants: some plants can stimulate the growing of other plants
enriching the soil, through nitrogen fixation, organic matter or encouraging soil organisms
forming attractive and fragrant flowers and leaves: these can be pleasing to people, and stimulate local biodiversity (attract/maintain pollinators)
Some plants have more than one plant part that can be eaten; ie fruit aswell as leaves, stems, flower heads, ...

Plants which are well known for one purpose sometimes have other valuable uses which are neglected. For example:

Plants known for their fruits sometimes have leaves and shoots which are appetizing and healthy as vegetables, for example chayote, grape, some varieties of squash

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 {{lang|[[Tumbuhan serba guna|Bahasa Indonesia]]}}
-One of the principles of [[permaculture]] is that every plant should have [[multi-purpose plant|multiple uses]] (at least 3? Is this the same as "Stacking Functions"?{{fact}})
+Besides their initial use, crops can also be used for other tasks. Indeed, one of the principles of [[permaculture]] is that every plant should have at least 3 uses. Is this the same as "Stacking Functions"?{{fact}}) Depending on the plant in question and the environment it is used in, these other functions can be:
+* use as insect repellent: some herbs can also repel insects.
-As well as the obvious and important use of providing food in various forms, they may provide other functions, such as:
-* [[herbs]], which add a lot of flavor and pleasure to the experience of eating, make simple and healthy food taste better (which can save money through buying more simple, basic foods rather than pre-prepared flavored foods), are best used fresh from the garden, and are best available on a whim, rather than having to plan and buy ahead.
-* insect repellents: some herbs also repel insects.
 * shade: under a fruit trees can be a great place to sit, especially in summer.
-* [[companion plant]]s: This is the belief/principle that certain plants grow better together.
+* [[companion plant]]s: some plants can stimulate the growing of other plants
 * enriching the soil, through [[nitrogen fixation]], organic matter or encouraging [[soil organisms]]
-* attractive and fragrant flowers and leaves. These can be pleasing to people, and stimulate local biodiversity (attract/maintain pollinators)
+* forming attractive and fragrant flowers and leaves: these can be pleasing to people, and stimulate local biodiversity (attract/maintain pollinators)
-* another type of food, from a different plant part, or the same plant part at a different stage of maturity.
+* Some plants have more than one plant part that can be eaten; ie fruit aswell as leaves, stems, flower heads, ...
 Plants which are well known for one purpose sometimes have other valuable uses which are neglected. For example: