When Does Artemisia selengensis Hit the Market? Price, Whether the Leaves Are Edible, and Food Pairing Taboos Explained
Artemisia selengensis is a fairly common wild vegetable in late October, and its underground stems have high edible value. Regular consumption can have the effects of strengthening the stomach and aiding digestion, clearing heat and draining dampness, so many people like to eat it. So when is Artemisia selengensis in season? How much is it per jin? Are the leaves edible? What should it not be eaten with?
Artemisia selengensis is generally available in autumn and winter, with harvest from late October to February of the following year. The underground stems are dug up, the soil is washed off the roots and stems, and then they can be sold on the market. After harvesting the underground stems, cover the bed surface with plastic film to encourage the remaining stem nodes to sprout new plants. From late March to mid-April is the peak harvest period for the aboveground stems. When the Artemisia selengensis stems reach 20 cm in height, cut them with a sharp knife 3 to 4 cm above the ground and tie them in bundles for sale. In spring, when the outdoor temperature is relatively low, the bed surface still needs to be covered with film for insulation after cutting the stems, so that 2 to 3 harvests can be obtained. After each harvest, apply 10 kg of urea per mu. Generally, 1500 to 2000 kg of underground stems and 800 to 1200 kg of aboveground stems can be harvested per mu.
Another method is to harvest Artemisia selengensis at the end of April, then plant one season of hybrid middle-season rice. When the middle-season rice is ripe and harvested, leave the rice stubble low, then open up bed furrows, keep the soil moist, and the underground stems remaining in the field can slowly grow aboveground stems. After the stems emerge, apply fertilizer 1 to 2 times, and harvest the tender stems promptly for sale.
The eating season for Artemisia selengensis runs from autumn and winter through the following spring.
Artemisia selengensis price
The market price of Artemisia selengensis is related to when it hits the market. Generally, the price is relatively high just after it becomes available, and once it is widely available the price drops and tends to stabilize.
It is generally available from October to March of the following year, and when the price is high it can reach 7 to 8 yuan per jin.
Are the leaves edible?
It is better not to eat the leaves of Artemisia selengensis. Artemisia selengensis is a wild vegetable, and it is widely available every year in March in spring (though of course, not in the imperial capital). Artemisia selengensis has a unique fresh fragrance and is mostly stir-fried with cured meat.
In addition, because Artemisia selengensis is a wild vegetable with a sweet taste and no toxicity, it has not been heard that Artemisia selengensis conflicts with anything. At the same time, Artemisia selengensis mainly treats the five types of distension and pathogenic qi, wind-cold dampness of the spleen, and it tonifies the middle and boosts qi, promotes hair growth, and with long-term consumption lightens the body, sharpens hearing and brightens the eyes, and prevents aging. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that in addition to being edible, it also has the functions of clearing heat, draining dampness, and killing parasites. Jiangxi Province produces it abundantly, and it is also found on some lake grass flats in northwestern Hunan Province, southwestern Anhui Province, and southeastern Hubei Province.