Maquarie Island Cabbage

Maquarie Island Cabbage

Scientific Name:
Stilbocarpa polaris

Family:
Araliaceae

Varieties:

• Default (ID: 82)

Introduction

Stilbocarpa polaris, commonly known as Macquarie Island cabbage, is a perennial megaherb native to the subantarctic islands of New Zealand, including the Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes, and Macquarie Islands. It belongs to the family Araliaceae, although some sources may place it in the Apiaceae family. This plant is significant for its unique adaptations to harsh subantarctic environments and its historical use as a food source by early explorers and castaways.

Characteristics

• Physical Characteristics: Stilbocarpa polaris features large, fleshy, kidney-shaped leaves with irregular, toothed margins and hairy surfaces. The leaves can grow up to 35 cm in size. The plant produces yellow or purple flowers arranged in compound umbels, each about 5 mm in diameter.
• Growing Conditions: It thrives in cold, wet environments typical of subantarctic islands, often growing on rocky banks or in dense vegetation. In controlled environments like the Dunedin Botanic Garden, it can adapt to warmer and drier conditions but may not produce significant blooms.
• Lifecycle: The plant spreads via prostrate rhizomes, forming masses up to 2 meters in diameter and height.

Why is this crop useful for space?

Stilbocarpa polaris could be beneficial for space cultivation due to several factors: - Hardiness: Its ability to thrive in harsh environments suggests potential resilience in controlled space environments. - Nutritional Value: Historically used as a food source, it could provide essential nutrients in space missions where fresh produce is scarce. - Adaptability: Its adaptability to different conditions might allow it to grow in various controlled environments, such as hydroponic or aeroponic systems.

However, specific research on its suitability for space cultivation is lacking.

History of Cultivation in Space (if there is any)

There is no documented history of Stilbocarpa polaris being cultivated in space. Most space cultivation experiments focus on crops like lettuce, radishes, and microgreens due to their fast growth rates and known nutritional benefits. While Stilbocarpa polaris has potential due to its hardiness and nutritional value, it has not been explored in space agriculture to date.