'Voronezh' Dragon's Head

Lallemantia iberica Origin: Unknown (via Voronezh, former USSR) Improvement status: Landrace Seeds per packet: ~30 Germination tested 10/2024: 84% Life cycle: Annual This species — named for its flowers that look like open-mouthed dragon heads — has been cultivated since prehistoric times. The leaves and young growing tips are eaten in salads or as a cooked vegetable, and the seeds produce an edible oil (known generally as Lallemantia oil). Oil content of the seeds can be as high as 38%. Bronze Age archaeological sites in northern Greece have been found to contain stores of Lallemantia seeds, and archaeologists believe they were used mainly for oil for food, lighting, and medicine. It is also useful as a drying oil (like linseed oil) for wood varnish or leather conditioning, as well as in paint, ink, soap, and linoleum. The seeds produce a mucilage that can be used for making a clear, edible film for coating fruits, vegetables, and other food products.Lallemantia iberica seeds are use