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Growing Beyond Earth: Experimental Plants
2015-16 Fairchild Challenge for Middle and High Schools
GBE1 - Red Romaine Lettuce
Lactuca sativa ‘Outredgeous’ (Asteraceae)– Lettuce is one of the world's
most familiar leafy greens. First domesticated in ancient Egypt over 4000
years ago, lettuce was transported across Eurasia and eventually throughout
the world. ‘Outredgeous’ is a modern variety selected for its attractive purple/
red pigmentation. This was the first plant grown and eaten in space.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE2 - Chinese Cabbage
Brassica rapa var. chinensis ‘Tokyo Bekana’ (Brassicaceae)– This Chinese
Cabbage is a variety of pak choi, a popular green vegetable of China and
Southeast Asia. It belongs to the highly variable Eurasian species, Brassica
rapa. ‘Tokyo Bekana' cabbage has been chosen as one of the next leafy
vegetables to be grown aboard the International Space Station.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE3 - Redleaf Amaranth
Amaranthus tricolor (Amaranthaceae)– Amaranthus originated in tropical
America, but is now grown in gardens worldwide. Amaranthus tricolor, also
known as “red callaloo,” is an important leafy vegetable in the Caribbean,
Africa, and South Asia. The leaves are eaten fresh or cooked.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE4 - Red Orach
Atriplex hortensis var. rubra (Amaranthaceae)– Orach, a spinach relative,
is widely distributed in Eurasia. It has been cultivated for centuries as a leaf
vegetable, especially in the Mediterranean region. In colonial times it was
brought to North America, where it has spread and naturalized in cool parts of
the continent.
30 day edible portion: Leaves
GBE5 - Chard
Beta vulgaris ‘Bright Lights’ (Amaranthaceae)– Chard is an ancient
Mediterranean leafy vegetable that belongs to the same species as beet root.
Beta vulgaris appears to have been domesticated thousands of years ago from
related wild species in Eurasia. This variety is a mix of different types that have
attractive red, pink, orange, and yellow veins and petioles.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
29 September 2015
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Growing Beyond Earth: Experimental Plants
2015-16 Fairchild Challenge for Middle and High Schools
GBE6 - Beet
Beta vulgaris ‘Babybeat’ (Amaranthaceae)– This beet variety is grown for
both its greens and its roots. It maintains a compact size and matures quickly.
Beet greens are consumed as a cooked vegetable, and beet roots are
commonly used in European and Indian cuisine.
30 day edible portion: Entire plant
GBE7 - Strawberry spinach
Blitum capitatum (Amaranthaceae)– This spinach relative is native to cool
regions of North America. Its leaves and bright red fruits are edible raw or
cooked, but are not known to be particularly flavorful.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE8 - Saltwort
Salsoa komarovii (Amaranthaceae)– This species is native to salt marshes
of Siberia and East Asia. It is adapted to saline soil, but can also grow in
ordinary garden soil. It is called “land seaweed” in Japan, where it is
traditionally eaten as a raw or cooked vegetable.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE9 - Spinach
Spinacia oleracea ‘Red Kitten’ (Amaranthaceae)– Spinach is a familiar leafy
vegetable that is grown and eaten worldwide. It originated in the Middle East in
ancient times, and was carried both eastward into Asia and westward into
Europe. As a garden plant, it grows especially well in cold regions, where it can
tolerate frost.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE10 - Bunching onions
Allium fistulosum ‘Parade’ (Amaryllidaceae)– Bunching onion is grown for
its leaves, which are used to flavor salads and cooked dishes. It is native to
China, and is a traditional ingredient in Asian cuisine. It is now grown in
gardens worldwide. This species does not form bulbs.
30 day edible portion: Entire plant
29 September 2015
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Growing Beyond Earth: Experimental Plants
2015-16 Fairchild Challenge for Middle and High Schools
GBE11 - Ashitaba
Angelica keiskei ‘koidzumi’ (Apiaceae)– Ashitaba is a leaf vegetable that
originated on Hachijō-jima, a small and remote Japanese island. Its leaves are
eaten raw or cooked, and its consumption is traditionally believed to be linked
to a variety of health benefits.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE12 - Samphire
Crithmum maritimum (Apiaceae)– Native to the rocky Atlantic,
Mediterranean, and Black Sea coasts of Europe, samphire can tolerate a wide
range of growing conditions. It was historically harvested from the wild and
eaten as an inexpensive food. Samphire now persists in gardens as a rare leaf
vegetable. It can be eaten raw or cooked.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE13 - Carrot
Daucus carota ‘Mokum’ (Apiaceae)– The carrot is part of a widespread and
diverse Eurasian species, Daucus carota. It was domesticated as a root
vegetable in the Middle East, probably about 2000 years ago. Modern, orangecolored varieties began to appear in Europe in the 17th century, and are now
grown worldwide. This is an early-producing variety.
30 day edible portion: Root
GBE14 - Escarole
Cichorium endivia ‘Natacha’ Asteraceae– Escarole is a broad-leaved form of
endive, a popular salad green in Europe. Although its exact geographic origin
is unclear, it was domesticated from a wild chicory species, probably in the
Middle East or South Asia.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE15 - Shungiku
Glebionis coronaria (Asteraceae)– Shungiku is native to the Mediterranean
region, but was carried eastward centuries ago. Its leaves have become a
popular ingredient in East Asian cuisine, eaten raw or lightly cooked.
Worldwide, it is also grown for its attractive, daisy-like flowers.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
29 September 2015
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Growing Beyond Earth: Experimental Plants
2015-16 Fairchild Challenge for Middle and High Schools
GBE16 - Leaf lettuce
Lactuca sativa (Asteraceae)– Lettuce is an ancient vegetable, domesticated
in Egypt over 4000 years ago. Today there are thousands of kinds of lettuce
grown in gardens worldwide. Leaf lettuce varieties, like this one, are mostly
used in salads.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE17 - Red malabar spinach
Basella alba ‘Rubra’ (Basellaceae)– Malabar spinach is a tropical vine native
to India and Southeast Asia. It is an important leaf vegetable in its native
range, and in Africa and Polynesia. The leaves may be eaten raw, but are
usually cooked in curries and other seasoned dishes.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE18 - Upland cress
Barbara verna (Brassicaceae)– A relative of watercress, upland cress grows
in drier garden environments. Its leaves have a more intense, spicy flavor.
Native to Europe, it is grown as a cool season crop
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE19 - Misome
Brassica ‘Misome’ (Brassicaceae)– Misome is a modern hybrid of Japanese
leafy green vegetables, selected for its fast growth and its ability to tolerate
warm temperatures. It is eaten raw or cooked.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE20 - Kale
Brassica oleracea ‘Toscano’ (Brassicaceae)– Kale has been grown across
Europe for thousands of years, and is now a popular garden vegetable
worldwide. This is an old Italian variety known for its rich flavor. It is usually
cooked, but the young leaves may be eaten raw.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
29 September 2015
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Growing Beyond Earth: Experimental Plants
2015-16 Fairchild Challenge for Middle and High Schools
GBE21 - Kale
Brassica oleracea ‘Starbor’ (Brassicaceae)– This is a curly-leaf variety of
kale that is popular for its high yield and pleasant flavor. Young leaves can be
eaten raw, and older leaves are cooked. Kale was domesticated in Europe
thousands of years ago.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE22 - Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes ‘Quickstar’ (Brassicaceae)– Kohlrabi is
a type of cabbage grown for its edible leaves and swollen stems. It first
appeared in colder parts of Europe during the Middle Ages. This variety is a
fast-growing, compact type.
30 day edible portion: Leaves and swollen stem (entire aboveground plant)
GBE23 - Komatsuna
Brassica rapa var. perviridis (Brassicaceae)– This is a Japanese mustard
spinach plant that has been cultivated for hundreds of years. It is now widely
grown in East Asia, where it is eaten as a raw or cooked vegetable.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE24 - Mizuna
Brassica rapa var. japonica (Brassicaceae)– Mizuna belongs to a
widespread species that originated in the Mediterranean region. Centuries ago
it was carried into China, and then to Japan, on trade routes. It is now a
popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE25 - Tatsoi
Brassica rapa var. narinosa (Brassicaceae)– Tatsoi is a form of Chinese
cabbage that has a long history of cultivation in Japan. It is a fast-growing
variety that does well in cool climates. Its leaves are eaten raw or cooked.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
29 September 2015
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Growing Beyond Earth: Experimental Plants
2015-16 Fairchild Challenge for Middle and High Schools
GBE26 - Chinese cabbage
Brassica rapa var. pekinensis ‘Minuet’ (Brassicaceae)– This is a type of
Chinese cabbage that is widely grown and eaten throughout East Asia. It forms
dense heads of leaves. This variety is more compact than others.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE27 - White wall rocket
Diplotaxis erucoides (Brassicaceae)– White wall rocket is a leaf vegetable
that grows naturally in the western Mediterranean region. It is similar to
arugula, but with a more spicy flavor. It is occasionally grown outside its native
range as a salad green.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE28 - Sylvetta
Diplotaxis tenuifolia (Brassicaceae)– Sylvetta is a weedy, resilient plant that
has escaped cultivation in many parts of the world. It is native to Eurasia,
where it has been grown for centuries as a leaf vegetable. It is now a popular
salad green, similar to arugula
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE29 - Arugula
Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa (Brassicaceae)– Arugula is a popular salad
vegetable throughout the world. There are records of arugula cultivation in
ancient Rome, and it is still an important element of the cuisine in Italy and
other Mediterranean countries. Arugula has a distinctive, spicy flavor.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE30 - Persian cress
Lepidium sativum (Brassicaceae)– Persian cress is an ancient food plant
that appears to have originated in the Middle East. Since ancient times, the
aromatic seeds have been used for a variety of medicinal purposes. Today, it is
grown worldwide as a salad green.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
29 September 2015
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Growing Beyond Earth: Experimental Plants
2015-16 Fairchild Challenge for Middle and High Schools
GBE31 - Radish
Raphanus sativus ‘Cherriett’ (Brassicaceae)– This species apparently
originated in Southeast Asia, but was domesticated in Europe thousands of
years ago. Ancient Greeks knew of many varieties, suggesting it was already
well established in cultivation. Today, thousands of varieties of radishes are
grown worldwide. Mostly used as a root vegetable, the leaves are also edible.
30 day edible portion: Entire plant
GBE32 - Fine leaf basil
Ocimum basilicum ‘Pluto’ (Lamiaceae)– Basil has been cultivated for at
least 5,000 years. It is apparently native to India, but was brought to Europe
and Southeast Asia in ancient times. Now it is an integral part of the cuisine in
those regions. There are hundreds of known varieties grown in gardens
worldwide. This variety remains compact and is well suited to small spaces.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE33 - Molokhia
Corchorus olitorius (Malvaceae)– Molokhia is a leaf vegetable from North
Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Its earliest culinary history appears to
be in ancient Egypt, but it is now an important part of regional cuisine in parts
of Africa and the Middle East. This species is also called “jute,” the name for its
strong fibers that are used to make rope.
30 day edible portion: Leaves
GBE34 - Minutina
Plantago coronopus (Plantaginaceae)– Minutina is native to Europe and
North Africa, but has been carried to temperate regions worldwide. It has a
long history of use as a leaf vegetable, especially in cold regions, where it
produces edible greens even in winter. Young leaves are eaten raw, usually
mixed with other kinds of salad greens.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE35 - Sorrel
Rumex acetosa (Polygonaceae)– Native to Eurasia, sorrel has been
cultivated for centuries. It has become an important leaf vegetable in many
parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its young leaves are eaten raw, and older
leaves are cooked. The leaves have an unusual, sour flavor.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
29 September 2015
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Growing Beyond Earth: Experimental Plants
2015-16 Fairchild Challenge for Middle and High Schools
GBE36 - Purslane
Portulaca oleracea ‘Goldberg Golden’ (Portulacaceae)– Purslane is a
tough, adaptable plant that grows almost everywhere as a weed. It probably
originated in Europe and was carried around the world by early travelers.
Some botanists have suggested that it was brought to North America by
Vikings. Purslane is eaten raw or cooked. This is a variety selected for garden
cultivation.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
GBE37 - Watercress
Nasturtium officinale (Brassicaceae)– Watercress is an aquatic or semiaquatic plant from Eurasia. It has been eaten as a leaf vegetable since ancient
times. Today, it is cultivated in moist soil or standing water in many parts of the
world.
30 day edible portion: Entire aboveground plant
29 September 2015
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