www.malaysianherbals.com -COSMOS காஸ்மஸ் பூ (3)

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 Malaysian Herbs

COSMOS- Raja Ulam

இதைக்கூட ஒரு கீரை போல சாப்பிடமுடியும் என்பதை அறிவீர்களா நீங்கள்?
நமது சக அன்பர்கள் இதனை பச்சையாக சாப்பிடும் போது நாம் ஏன் சமைத்தாவது சாப்பிட முயற்சிக்கக் கூடாது?

Cosmos is native to scrub and meadow areas in Mexico where most of the species occur, Florida and the southern United States, Arizona, Central America, and to South America in the north to Paraguay in the south.

Ulam Raja, literally meaning "the King’s salad", was brought by the Spaniards from Latin America, via the Philippines, to the rest of Southeast Asia. Ulam, a Malay word used to describe a preparation that combines food, medicine and beauty is the widely popular Malay herbal salad. As a Malaysian delight, it is served throughout the country from major hotels for tourists to buffet lunches or dinners for the locals. 

Ulam Raja is an annual plant growing up 2m in height. The leaves are soft and pungent while the stem is light green with a purplish hue and succulent. As night falls the leaves fold to close the terminal buds as the plant literally sleeps. The flowers can be found solitary or in loose clusters and are produced on a single stalk on auxiliary heads.

How would you like to own a universe? This will probably never happen but you can grow a plant which produces "showy flowers" in an "orderly arrangement of cosmic proportions". Cosmos is the flower you should grow. Spanish priests grew cosmos in their mission gardens in Mexico. The evenly placed petals led them to christen the flower "Cosmos," the Greek word for harmony or ordered universe. Cosmos, like many of our warm weather annuals such as marigolds, originated in Mexico and South America.

Cosmos belongs to that vast family of plants known as Compositae. Although there are 20 known species of cosmos, two annual species,Cosmos sulphureus and Cosmos bipinnatus, are most familiar to home gardeners. These two species are most easily differentiated by leaf structure and flower colour. The leaves ofC. sulphureus are long, with narrow lobes and hairy margins. The flower colours of this species are always shades of yellow, orange or red. The C. bipinnatus has leaves that are finely cut into threadlike segments. The foliage looks similar to ferns. The flowers are white or various shades of pink to dark rose.

Cosmos sulphureus (Yellow Cosmos) - the species native to the Americas - is my favorite and the one I recommend you try if you have never grown cosmos.. Plants of yellow cosmos can range in height from 4 to 7 feet but the cultivated varieties such as 'Crest Red', 'Ladybird Dwarf Red', 'Ladybird Dwarf Gold', 'Ladybird Dwarf Orange', 'Ladybird Dwarf Lemon', and Yellow Cosmos - Klondyke Mix are not as tall. The flower heads are composed of disc and ray flowers. The disc or centre flowers are yellow: the ray or outer petals range from pale yellow or mustard to orange-scarlet. Red is a relatively recent addition to the colour range ofC. sulphureus. The native species is golden-yellow to orange.

Is C. sulphureus cosmos easy to grow? You bet they are! Here is the cultural information provided by John Thomas of Wildseed Farms who rates C. sulphureus cosmos with an 80 percent planting success: YELLOW COSMOS INFORMATION FROM WILDSEED FARMS

Rich, fertile soils tend to produce unusually tall, lanky plants. Yellow cosmos requires full sun. Sow seed of C. sulphureus in early spring since seedlings are not wintered hardy. The average planting success with this species is 80 per cent. The plant height is 2 - 4 feet depending on culture and variety selected. Plants will germinate in 7 - 21 days when the soil temperature is optimum for germination at 70 - 80 degrees F. Plant seed 1/16 inch deep by raking into the soil. C. sulphureusplants bloom from May - November. Plants should be sheared every 30 days or whenever seed pods predominate. Large areas can be seeded at a rate of 15 pounds per acre C. sulphureus plants bloom approximately 50 - 55 days after germination. Yellow cosmos needs to be replanted each spring for continued success.

Yellow cosmos is easy to start from seed. Rich, fertile conditions are not necessary to grow yellow cosmos, but adequate drainage is. The seeds may be sown outdoors after all danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed to at least 65 degrees F. Scatter the seeds right where the yellow cosmos are to be displayed. Firm or rake seeds into a loose soil -- if the seed is planted too deep, germination can be affected. Keep the soil moist for 5 - 10 days after seeding. Seeds will germinate in 7 - 21 days. If the early spring has been cold, soil temperatures will remain cool also. If the soil temperature is below 65 F., seeds may not germinate as rapidly. Thinning is really not necessary.

Yellow cosmos is a sun-loving annual; it will not produce as many blooms if grown in the shade. Choose a location that receives at least 8 - 10 hours of direct, sunbathing sunlight. Cosmos will perform best if grown in well-drained soil. Yellow cosmos is not a heavy feeder. Excess fertilization will cause plants to produce excessive leaf growth at the expense of flower production.

Uses

Found to have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effects.

 The Malay people believe that the herb is good for

 health and contains anti-ageing properties or a wet

 muda, and that it tones up blood circulation,

strengthens the bones and promotes fresh breath.

Many others like raja ulam tapioca leaves sweet potato leaves and vaathamadakki leaves are eaten raw by Malaysian Malays. They also eat cabbage in plenty and this is also a common dish in their meals.

 Most of the Indians eat Corriander Leaves or Vallarai Leaves or Pudina Leaves as their fresh diet with the combination of yoghurt and onions.
By taking these fresh leaves our body's health is maintained. Our blood circulation is toned up. Our body toxins can be eliminated. Raw onion when eaten raw has a hot feeling whereas when eaten with yoghurt's, acts as an antiseptic agent.
   
    physicianpackiam           

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