Not long ago kiwis were considered a curiosity. Today, they're growing in back yards. Jerry Black, owner of the mail-order nursery Oregon Exotics, is always on the lookout for the next kiwi or hardier varieties of plants already growing in North America.
Plant collectors travel the world in hopes of shining new light on forgotten plants.
The Oregon Exotics catalog, published once every two years, is filled with plants most gardeners have never encountered, like Australian desert kumquat, Buddha's hand citron, Tibetan moyii and Himalayan sword fruit. Black collected these plants during his trips around the world. Leaves, juice and rind of this small, citrus tree are incorporated into dreamy dishes. Maca roots resemble tiny pears and can be baked, boiled, dried or eaten raw. The dried roots reportedly contain about 15 percent protein and are high in iodine, iron and essential amino acids.