This project aims to systematically assess the horticultural potential of southern Western Australia's diverse tuberous flora and to start to commercialise promising species as new vegetable crops.

Western Australia's flora contains an extraordinary number of species that form root tubers. Over 85% of 153 tuberous species recorded in Western Australia occur in the State's South West. This diversity provides an unparalleled resource from which new horticultural crops can be developed. The diversity of the flora is of international significance but it has not been surveyed for potential vegetable crops.

Research conducted by the principal investigator has already revealed that at least one tuberous species from south-west WA (Platysace deflexa) has considerable horticultural potential and market appeal.

P. deflexa produces numerous relatively large tubers and mother plants appear to rapidly recover and sucker following tuber harvest. Tuberous species of Platysace (and other genera) from southern Western Australia were important food sources for indigenous people prior to the introduction of Western culture. Platysace species are in the Apiaceae family, a family that includes other horticulturally-important species such as carrots, parsley, and parsnip.

A demand for native vegetable products was highlighted at the Native Foods Seminar held at the Western Australian Muresk Institute of Agriculture (April 2000) where chefs and suppliers of native foods identified that their industry needed native vegetable foods that could replace traditional vegetables. For further detail on this project contact Dr Geoff Woodall.

Funding body: RIRDC (Rural Industries Research and Development Commisssion)