Tshiah Tsa Boo Leaves
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Tshiah Tsa Boo varies in size, depending on the age of the plant, and is comprised of upright, lanky stems producing clusters of leaves and flowers. The pale green stems are thick and can grow 30 to 100 centimeters in length and have a square shape with a ridged surface. Attached to the stems are dark green leaves, which typically range from 2 to 7 centimeters in length. The leaves are elliptical and taper to a distinct point, and the edges are serrated. Tshiah Tsa Boo leaves also showcase prominent veining and have a pliable and slightly textured feel. The flowers bear 5 to 8 white petals around one centimeter in length and surround a large golden yellow-orange center. On some species, the yellow center is also filled with tiny yellow tubular flowers that often blend together and are challenging to see from far away. In addition to the leaves and flowers, which appear on the plant year-round, Tshiah Tsa Boo forms sharp, barb-like achenes that contain tiny seeds. These achenes easily stick to surfaces while dropping seeds, contributing to the plant’s spread in the wild. The plants also have a dense root system harvested for medicinal use. Several portions of Tshiah Tsa Boo are foraged for culinary purposes. Young leaves, stems, flowers, and roots are consumed in various cooked preparations, with the leaves, flowers, and stems releasing an earthy, vegetal, grassy, and tangy taste, while the roots have a woody, mineral-forward, and pungent flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Tshiah Tsa Boo is available year-round in Taiwan. The flowers also bloom throughout the year, a distinct trait utilized as a pollination plant for butterflies and bees.
Current Facts
Tshiah Tsa Boo, botanically classified as Bidens alba, is a flowering species belonging to the Asteraceae family. Bidens alba is native to the Americas and has spread worldwide throughout history. The name Tshiah Tsa Boo is a descriptor used throughout Taiwan to describe Bidens alba, and the species was planted across the island in the late 20th century. Since its introduction, Tshiah Tsa Boo has acquired several notable reputations. It was first known among beekeepers as an excellent pollination plant, blooming year-round. The species later showcased aggressive growth habits and can produce over 6,000 seeds on one plant, leading it to become labeled as one of the most invasive plants in Taiwan. Despite these varying reputations, Tshiah Tsa Boo has become embedded into the folklore and culture of Taiwanese communities. It is important to note that Tshiah Tsa Boo is also known as Xiangencao and Xianfeng Grass in Taiwan. Three different varieties of plants with similar characteristics are labeled under these names, making classification and identification sometimes challenging. Tshiah Tsa Boo is also known by many names worldwide, including White-Flowered Ghost grass, Large-Flowered Bidens, Sticky Grass, Beggar Ticks, Jinzhou grass, Spanish needles, Shrimp Claw grass, Pitchfork weed, and Chi Cha. In the modern day, Tshiah Tsa Boo is a relatively obscure wild species in Taiwan, with most residents viewing it as a weed. Some communities use portions of the plant in medicinal and culinary preparations, but the species is not commercially cultivated and is only foraged.
Nutritional Value
Tshiah Tsa Boo has not been extensively studied for its nutritional properties. The species is said to be a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract, calcium to protect bones and teeth, and iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream. In natural medicines, the leaves and roots are primarily infused into herbal tea. It is said the dried leaves have a flavor similar to green herbal tea and are consumed in folk medicine to detox the body, clear heat, soothe sore throats, and act as a natural diuretic. The leaves are also crushed and applied topically to snake bites and skin irritations.
Applications
Tshiah Tsa Boo is a foraged species, and the young shoots, leaves, flowers, and roots are the primary portions of the plant consumed in culinary preparations. Only young and tender parts of the plant are used, and most preparations in Taiwan blanch or cook the elements before eating. Some sources say the young leaves are edible raw and can be used in salads, but more research and discretion should be made on an individual basis before conclusions can be made. Tshiah Tsa Boo is popularly blanched and cooked with eggs to make a simple dish. The leaves and tender stems are also stir-fried with garlic or ginger, developing a rich, green, and mild taste. Tshiah Tsa Boo can be fried similarly to other foraged greens, and the flowers can be finely chopped and folded into rice balls. The greens are also added to soups or stir-fried with meats to enhance overall flavoring. Tshiah Tsa Boo pairs well with other herbs such as mint, parsley, and chrysanthemum, butterfly pea flowers, wolfberries, and red dates. The plants have a short shelf life, and the leaves wilt quickly after harvest. It is recommended to immediately process or cook the foraged plants for the best quality and flavor. The leaves can also be dried for extended use as tea.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Tshiah Tsa Boo is known for its sharp achenes with barbs, commonly referred to as seed pods. These pointed, spiny achenes easily attach to fur and clothing, often breaking apart into smaller, hard-to-remove pieces. In Taiwan, children traditionally made field games out of these barb-covered pods, playfully throwing them on their friends' or classmates' clothes as pranks. Among children, the plant is nicknamed Chacha. Adults also often encounter Tshiah Tsa Boo achenes as they hike, work in fields, forage, or tend to gardens. The barbs can easily irritate the skin and can remain attached to clothing for long distances. Among adults, the plant has earned several nicknames, roughly translating to English as “Crazy Woman plant,” “Mother-in-law plant,” “Fierce Lady plant,” and “Angry or Mad Woman plant.” These nicknames were meant as a humorous reference to the plant’s clingy nature, acting as a metaphor for a clingy loved one or family member.
Geography/History
Tshiah Tsa Boo is a descendant of various species within the Bidens genus, native to Central and South America. These species have been growing wild since ancient times and eventually spread into North America through their prickly seed pods that attach easily to clothing and animal fur. Over time, Bidens species were introduced into Asia and Africa, quickly naturalizing and overtaking native plants of various regions. Tshiah Tsa Boo was planted in Taiwan in 1976. The species was chosen as a pollination plant for beekeeping. Prior to its introduction, Taiwan beekeepers had a nomadic lifestyle, moving across the island to follow the blooming patterns of pollinating plants. Weather often affected the availability of these pollination species, making it challenging for beekeepers to keep their hives alive and producing honey. In 1976, Taiwanese beekeeper Mr. Li Jinzhou discovered Tshiah Tsa Boo at an Australian beekeeping conference. He heard about the species being grown on the Ryukyu Islands and had the ability to bloom year-round. Mr. Jinzhou acquired seeds from the Ryukyu Islands and planted them in fields in Luzhou, Taiwan. Tshiah Tsa Boo flourished on the island and bloomed year-round, becoming one of the most popular pollination plants in Taiwan. Beekeepers planted the species across the island, and Mr. Jinzhou even spoke about the plant at a beekeeping conference in 1981. Tshiah Tsa Boo was planted along the Zhongshan Expressway, the main freeway in Taiwan, and the year-round blooming contributed to a significant increase in honey production. Despite the plant’s year-round blooming, Tshiah Tsa Boo is an aggressive species and began overtaking many of the native plants in Taiwan, also disrupting ecosystems. The species thrives along roadsides, in home gardens, fields, mountainous regions, and in many habitats up to 2,500 meters above sea level. Today, Tshiah Tsa Boo is considered one of the most invasive species in Taiwan, and many growers are working to eradicate the species from their properties. The plant is widely found as a naturalized weed in Taiwan but is still valued by some communities for its medicinal properties. Outside of Taiwan, Tshiah Tsa Boo is known under many names and is present worldwide, especially in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The Tshiah Tsa Boo featured in the photograph above was foraged from a wild plant growing on a farmer’s property near Taipei, Taiwan.
