Canarina canariensis

(L.) Vatke

Bicacaro, Canary Island bellflower

Campanulaceae Edible: Fruit, Roots, Shoots, Leaves 1,362 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Canarina canariensis is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family Campanulaceae, commonly known as the Canary Island bellflower, and known locally as bicácaro.

Description

A fleshy climber. It can climb 3 m high. It has thick, tuberous roots. The stems are fleshy and branching. The leaves are opposite. The leaves are broad and wedge shaped. They taper to the tip. There are irregular lobes along the edge. They are 4-8 cm long. There are fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are bell shaped and hang down. They are orange to red with darker veins. They are 3-6 cm long. They have 6 petal lobes which curl back. The flower are in the upper axils of leaves. The fruit are black berries. They are edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten raw or made into preserves. The fleshy capsule, roots, young shoots, and leaves are also edible.

Traditional Uses

The fleshy capsule, roots and young shoots are eaten. The fruit are eaten raw or made into preserves.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It grows naturally in Tenerife in the Canary islands. It grows in shady ravines and woodland. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Where It Grows

Australia, Britain, Canary Islands, Europe, Mediterranean,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed planted as soon as they are ripe. It needs a temperature of 15-22°C. It can be grown from cuttings of the base.

Notes

There are 3 Canarina species.

Synonyms

Canarina campanulata

References (8)

Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 323
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 70
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 148 (As Canarina campanula)
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 22
Linnaea 38:700. 1874

Show all 8 references