Saccharum edule

Saccharum edule is a species of grass in the genus Saccharum, the sugarcanes. It is cultivated in tropical climates in southeastern Asia and the unopened flower heads are eaten. It has many common names which include duruka, Fiji asparagus, dule (Fiji), pitpit (Melanesia) and naviso.

Description

Saccharum edule is a perennial plant that grows in vigorous clumps that grow to a height of 1.5 to 4 metres (4 ft 11 in to 13 ft 1 in).^[1] Although the plant resembles sugarcane from a distance, the stem is much narrower and the leaves thinner and more flexible. The large flower panicles do not open but remain inside their leaf sheaths forming a dense mass.^[2] Saccharum edule is part of the Saccharum officinarum species complex and its genome has been investigated.^[3]

Distribution

Saccharum edule originated in Southeastern Asia and is also grown on various Pacific Islands at heights ranging from sea level to high altitudes. It needs a growing temperature of 20 °C (68 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F) and an annual rainfall of 1,500 to 3,000 millimetres (59 to 118 in).^[1]

Uses

The unopened flower heads of Saccharum edule are gathered and used as a vegetable, eaten either raw or cooked.^[1] In Fiji, a number of different varieties occur and some grow wild along the riverbank. Children enjoy gathering, roasting and eating the flower heads of the early season red duruka, and later the different varieties of white duruka as they mature in rotation. The flower heads are widely sold in local markets for use as a vegetable. A purple duruka which flowers twice a year has been introduced and become popular and it is proposed that a canning operation be set up to sell this as "Fijian asparagus".^[2] The plant is also used for erosion control.^[2]

References