This wild forest plant grows between April and June in the moisture-laden mountains of Appalachia. It can be found at higher altitudes from northern Georgia into Canada. But before ramps can be recognized as a real cancer-fighting superhero vegetable, the plant must be grown in a laboratory setting and scientifically analyzed. Whanger and colleagues are experimenting with that. Under the best-case scenario, the research will produce some sort of palatable ramp product that people can eat to reduce their risk of certain virulent cancers.
Selenium is readily available in broccoli, garlic and onions.
Whanger's research has taken him around the world, including five trips to China to study selenium levels there. And his study of ramps has taken him back to the Appalachian hill country where he was born and reared. They serve 'em up with ham and brown beans. Everyone ate the smelly plants, mostly out of self-defense. One of horticultural pioneer Luther Burbank's successes has turned into a nuisance.