Udo, Aralia cordata
Young branched shoots from this plant can be eaten cooked or raw.
They can be up to 1.5 metres long and have a mild and agreeable flavour.
They are usually blanched and are crisp and tender with a unique lemon-like flavour.
They can be sliced and added to salads, soups etc.
The root is used cooked.
The root is used in Korea to treat the common cold and migraines.
I find the plants are sensitive to slug damage. Hopefully we can create an environment where slugs are less of a problem than the gardens in a housing area. (Noor Bunnik)