Family:  Ginseng (Araliaceae)
Hardiness:  All temperate zones.

Deciduous perennial shrub to small tree native to China  .  Highly ornamental, with narrow compound leaves and masses of fragrant, white flowers.  Leaves turn bright red in the fall.  Widely used in native medicine, the plant is known to treat everything from coughs to cancer.  Plant prefers full sun to part shade and moist soils.  We provide dried berries that preserve the germinability of the seed longer than if the seeds are cleaned out of the berry.  To use, soak the berries overnight, then smash them (it's easy) and float off the fruit and plant the seeds.  Sow seeds in the fall to early spring.  Slow and spotty germ is normal, so do not prematurely discard flats.  We've tested this seed and it is good! 

100 dried berries/pkt.,  Open Pollinated

(Mountain Angelica, Shining Angelica)
Herbaceous perennial mountain angelica hardy to 0 degrees F. Native to the Western US and Canada. Sharply-toothed foliage gives rise to spreading umbels with ball-like, creamy rosettes. Shining angelica root medicinally interchangeable with Angelica archangelica. Plant prefers part shade and moist, acid soils. Sow in fall or early spring for germination in the spring. BTW, this species not absolutely brand new to us, but a significant harvest of very nice material, and a new photo...

50 seeds per packet, open pollinated

(Siraitia grosvenori, grosvenorii) (Luo-han-guo)
Family:  Cucumber (Cucurbitaceae)
Hardiness: about 20 degrees F. 
Perennial dioecious vine native to southwestern China.  Cultivated in northern Kwangsi by the Miao-tze peoples who grow it in the mountain forests.  Rare in these parts, and one of the most desired cucurbits among collectors.  Like ginseng, this is one of the chinese herbs that tonifies the yin.  Household remedy for treating upper respiratory infection and gastric upset.  The medicine consists of the dried fruits.   The entire plant is gently pubescent, and the fruits are densely covered in down, ovoid or rounded and extremely sweet.  The leaves are somewhat heart shaped and entire, and the yellow flowers are somewhat atypical in shape for a cucurbit.  Soak seed overnight in warm water.  Sow in spring, in rich hills in the garden.  Provide trellis.  Traditional agricultural methods call for some shade in the cultivation of this unusual gourd, and cool/foggy conditions are well-tolerated.  (as in Santa-cruz, CA??)   

20 Seeds/pkt., Open Pollinated

Please note:  2010 accession of these seeds now in stock and wow is it a nice crop this year.  Bright and healthily aromatic seeds showed 96% germ on the cut test.  We received a nice quantity of these and have raised the seeds per packet to 20 so that people can have more seeds to play with for the same price.  Richo

(Mvuma)
Native to Africa.  Protect from frost.  Perennial climbing asparagus growing in the wild to 20 feet.  In domestication, can be self-supporting or can be trellised.  Excellent choice for a houseplant--these are in high demand.  Also an African medicinal herb, the stems and leaves pounded and used as a fresh poultice on swellings.  In witchcraft, the plant is used "to make other people obedient and submissive." Plant prefers part shade and rich, moist soil.  Sow seed in warm soil--germination can take up to 3 months, so do not give up prematurely.  A good greenhouse or grow lights are useful. 

5 seeds/pkt

(Zi-wan, Tatarian Aster)
Family: Aster (Asteraceae) 
Hardy to all zones. 
Creeping herbaceous perennial native to Asia.  Sturdy, stoloniferous plants flower handsomely purple in the fall.  Good grass and rabbit competitor.  The flowers are by far the largest I've seen on an aster, measuring over an inch across. The dried root is used in Chinese medicine to relieve chronic cough and expel phlegm. Easily grown plant prefers regular garden soil and full sun to part shade and moist soil. These are indestructible.  Sow just under surface and tamp.  Germination in cool soils of fall or early spring, requiring about 3 weeks. 

50 Seeds/pkt., Open Pollinated

(Ourinhos cultivar)  (Yage Vine)
Family: Malpighiaceae
A rare accession of the "Little Gold" cultivar, given this name because of the golden color of the brew that it produces.  This is a powerful type used in the ceremonies of the Santo Daime, Uniao do vegetal, and Barquinha churches of Brazil.   Through a forutunate set of circumstances, we obtained fresh seed of this cultivar, from a grower in the Brazilian rainforest. The pharmacological activity of the visionary brew known as ayahuasca is actually a synergistic interaction between the bark of the Banisteriopsis vine, which is a potent MAO inhibitor, and the companion plant Psychotria viridis, which contains the molecule known as dimethyltryptamine. There is no known genetic precourser to the Banisteriopsis vine--the plant is completely unique--as if it dropped from outer space. . .
Sow warm. Place seeds flat on sandy medium and cover with 1/4 inch of soil. Keep warm until germination. Protect from frost. In pots vines thrive in a shady greenhouse.
10 seeds/pkt., Open Pollinated

PS:  Here's the link to Chacruna seed

Family:  Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardiness: to 20 degrees F--protect from frost as best you can!
Herbaceous perennial native to N. Africa and Canary Islands.  The leaves are uncharacteristic to the lamiaceae--compound and shiny, on sweeping stems.  The plants can be quite large and densely branched, rising up 2 to 3 feet and similarly wide.  Does well in pots, though.  Multiple flowering racemes.  The entire plant emits a camphoraceous odor that is at once refreshing and healing.  I was immediately entranced by this plant when first I saw it, managed to swipe a few seeds, grew them out, and continue to be entranced by the plant in all its various aspects.   The plant thrives in rich, moist soil in full sun or part shade and must be put in a pot and brought indoors to survive harsh winters.  You can make cuttings from the roots stem bases, or you can collect seed if you are lucky.  Sow in spring. 50 seeds/pkt., Certified Organically Grown

Vedic Belladonna (Atropa acuminata)
Family:  Solanacea
Native to Kashmir.  Used in Ayurveda, a warm-tolerant species with bell-shaped flowers measuring over an inch wide.  Comely and desired. 
Toxicity:  All parts of the plant, with the probable exception of the berry, are loaded with the very serious alkaloids atropine and scopalamine.  As is often the case with such plants, the seed is particularly potent.  Therefore although the berry may be eaten without ill effects (and actually they are blueberry-like in taste and quite delicious, especially if one ignores the slightly heineous undertones of taste),  if the berry is consumed along with the seeds, then the typical side-effects (atropine overdose) will most likely occur.  This may include hallucination with mental derengement, excessive urination and urine off-odour, tunnel vision or often temporary blindness, lasting sometimes only an evening and sometimes dragging on for several days. Warn children not to eat the berries. 
Description:  Historical and current herbal usage:  In olden times, the juice was much employed by maidens to drop into their eyes, thus dilating them and making them strangely comely.  The plant is a mydriatic (pupil dilator).  I know this goes counter to the statements under toxicity (above), but I guess that oral ingestion and ocular ingestion are not the same.  The positive effects of the herb are best experienced through external use of oily preparations, including massage oils that sedate and relax muscle and nerve pain as well as salves made from the infused oil of leaf or root.  The seeds are best extracted using an alcohol intermediary (strong tincture) that is stirred back into the hot oil prior to the addition of wax.  The plant is also of use in allaying motion sickness, a leaf folded up and placed behind the ear purportedly serving the same function of a pharmaceutical antinauseant patch, which relies on the same or closely related molecules. 
Cultivation:  Plant prefers partial to full shade, average fertility, moist soil.  Sow in fall or early spring.  Slow to germ.  Some degree of cold conditioning usually helpful, although I've seen them languish in the shadehouse while others planted under lights throve.  But that's not always the way it works--you have to shift around a little to discover what each one likes.  Do little farm-derived experiments where you sow a few seeds in one condtion, and others in another condition, with a leaning toward what you think will work best.  Information derived through observation--stirring it up.  That's what lays the groundwork for knowledge.  Slow to germ.  Ongoing germ for 6 weeks. 

50 seeds/pkt $3.95

(Hungarian Black Seeded Broom Corn, Broomcorn)
Family:  Grass (Poacea)
Annual.  110 days to maturity. 
Native to Hungary, this is an heirloom variety of nonedible sorghum used for making brooms, for making mats and screens, for making growing fences or playplaces, for dried arrangements, and for feeding wildlife, expecially birds.  Growing up to 12 feet tall, the plant is impressive.  To make brooms, wait until the seed is fully mature, then cut down the stalk, strip the seed, and bind together several stalks, which makes a very functional broom.  These plants are easy and fun for kids and adults alike.  The possibilities are almost endless.  Plant prefers regular garden soil, full sun, and moderate watering.  Direct seed in the spring garden, thin to 6 inches apart, and stand back!
100 seeds/pkt, Certified Organically Grown

Cactus, Bolivian Torch          Trichocereus bridgesii            

(Achuma)

Perennial cactus native to Bolivia . This blue-green skinned columnar cactus sports star-shaped clusters of long spines.  It is a traditional sacrament that can easily be grown in a bright window.  Water regularly during the growing season, but water very infrequently through the winter.  Protect from frost.  Inoculate cactus mix with soil taken from around other growing cacti, and make sure the mix is extremely coarse (incorporate coarse, sharp gravel/pumice) in order to support sprouting seeds as they elongate and germinate.  Sow in spring. 

100 seeds/pkt $2.95, Open Pollinated

Those of you who are familiar with starting cacti from seed may ignore these directions. Here are some tips for those of you who are just starting out growing cacti from seed.  You need to use full spectrum grow lights or a good greenhouse.  You can't just germinate them on a windowsill in an apartment--they need bright light and very warm temperatures for germination and growth!  For starters, you can buy cactus mix at the nursery supply store, but most of us make our own.  Here's the common recipe:  50% white pumice, 25% coarse, sharp sand, and 25% organic matter such as coir or compost.  Mix thoroughly and inoculate with a handful of cactus mix taken from around growing cacti--this will provide bacterial/fungal substrate that supports the growth of healthy cacti.  Use gallon pots or smaller.  Fill to 1/2 inch from rim with your cactus mix, then provide a thin (1/4 inch) layer of sifted mix as a seedbed. To make the sifted mix, run your cactus mix through a 1/8 inch screen. Sprinkle seed on surface and mist or water by setting pot in a bowl of water.  Do not dislodge seeds or seedlings by rambunctious watering--its counterproductive.  Many growers stretch plastic wrap over the top of the pot to create a mini-greenhouse effect for germination, then remove the plastic once the seedlings are up and going.  Set the pot in the light greenhouse or below full-spectrum grow lights. Optimal temperature is 70 to 90 degrees F.   Germination is dependent on temperature, light, moon phase and the species you're working with, but generally occurs between 1 and 5 weeks after planting.  If the seeds do not germinate, allow the pot to completely dry out, then start over.  This sometimes jump starts the process.  Once the seedlings appear, keep them propped up with pieces of pumice or gravel.  Remove plastic wrap, but keep evenly watered for the first 6 months.   After that, during the summer, water every 3 to 5 days, allowing the surface to dry between waterings.  Water not at all or very infrequently during the winter. Many growers allow their cacti to grow closely together for the first year or two, then transplant to single pots once they have attained sufficient size to be readily handled.   That's it in a nutshell.  Richo

Calabash Tree, Mexican (Crescentia alata)
(Mexican Calabash Tree, Jicaro, Morrito, Winged Calabash)
Family:  Bignoniaceae
Evergreen tree to 30 feet, native to the tropical americas.  Protect from frost.  The stout, spongy-barked trunk gives rise to sturdy, spreading branches, which are a preferred resting place for orchids and epiphytes. The night-blooming flowers are large, yellow and purple, bell-shaped and pollinated by bats.  These (the flowers, not the bats, well, partially the bats) transform into the globular fruits that hang heavily.  These fruits are hard-shelled and gourdlike.  They are used extensively to make containers, bottles, cantines, flatware, utensils and musical instruments, including maracas. Trees prefer full sun to part shade and moderate to heavy watering.  They will work as a container plant, kept indoors during the winter. Scarify, soak overnight and sow warm.  10 seeds/pkt $3.95