Bicacaro, Canary Island bellflower
Canarina canariensis

Family: Campanulaceae

What it is like

A fleshy climber. It can climb 3 m high. It has thick, tuberous roots. The stems are fleshy and branching. The leaves are opposite. The leaves are broad and wedge shaped. They taper to the tip. There are irregular lobes along the edge. They are 4-8 cm long. There are fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are bell shaped and hang down. They are orange to red with darker veins. They are 3-6 cm long. They have 6 petal lobes which curl back. The flower are in the upper axils of leaves. The fruit are black berries. They are edible.

There are 3 Canarina species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows naturally in Tenerife in the Canary islands. It grows in shady ravines and woodland. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Canary Islands, Europe, Mediterranean

How it is used for food

The fleshy capsule, roots and young shoots are eaten. The fruit are eaten raw or made into preserves.

Edible parts

Fruit, roots, shoots, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed planted as soon as they are ripe. It needs a temperature of 15-22°C. It can be grown from cuttings of the base.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Canarina campanulata;