Tuberous Jerusalem sage

Phlomoides tuberosa,  Phlomis tuberosa  common names Sage-leaf Mullein or Tuberous Jerusalem Sage known as bodmon sok by the Kalmyk people of central Asia who eat it and use the plant medicinally.
I came across this plant today whilst looking through the experimental farm network's perennial edibles list. Apparently the roots are eaten in Kazachstan, although they seem to be a bit bitter. according to this nature article the roots are quite nutritious with quite a lot of vitamin content as well as starch.


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The experimental farm network write up includes the phrase

Starting in the fall of their second year, they can yield nearly as much as potatoes.

which sounds quite exciting! The roots can be removed from the outside of the rootball (presumably when dormant over winter) and the plant replanted. According to Hill farm nursery the plant is pretty tough once established.

Insects love the flowers.


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This plant definitely would count as an edimental, and Steven Barstow has also written of his experiences with it - apparently there are different forms available with varying robustness. He also agrees that the tubers are a little bitter, although has limited trials so far written up.

Has anyone else got this plant in their garden or their wish list? I wonder whether there is optimum ways of preparing to disguise or eliminate the apparent bitterness?

I've had my eyes on this one for awhile but it never seems to be in stock at experimental.

The talk of its edibility all seemed to come from the same vague hearsay about steppe nomads so I was also on the fence as to its actual food value.

Gonna try to order of Etsy and then do a taste test next fall.

Love the idea of a hardy perennial tuber crop with attractive flowers.  Hoping at the very least to get some supplemental chicken feed out of it.

I had better luck in the UK searching for 'Sage-leaf Mullein' It seems to be fairly readily available as a garden plant here..... I'll see if I can get one in spring. It will need at least a year's growing in good soil before I would want to eat it, but definitely looks worth a try. Tastes are subjective and I suppose the bees won't mind some more flowers if the worst comes to the worst and it's horrid
Ooh, chiltern seeds stock seeds of phlomis tuberosa - that's a more affordable, but long term option (UK based again though). It would have the advantage of adding some variability to the selection - bigger, better tasting tubers. I bet it has recently only been selected for the flowers.

Oh, selection on taste sounds like a winner.  

RHS suggests it's a fairly adaptable plant as long as it's in a sunny spot.

It wasn’t on my radar (although I’m reading Barstow’s book now, so maybe it’s in there) but I just ordered some seeds!