Native species
10Species naturally occurring in Taiwan — best adapted to local climate and soil.
Edible for food + foraging
50Plants with edible parts documented in Taiwan. Always identify positively before harvest.
Medicinal traditional + clinical
17Species with documented medicinal applications. See individual plant profiles for evidence + safety.
Introduced naturalized + cultivated
40Non-native species established in Taiwan. Some are valuable; some are invasive. Check each plant's notes.
Frequently asked
How many plants are documented in Taiwan?
89 speciess — 49 native and 40 introduced. Of these, 89 are edible and 39 have medicinal uses.
What edible plants grow wild in Taiwan?
Common edible species include Aletris spicata, Amaranthus dubius, Amaranthus polygamus, Amaranthus tenuifolius, Asiatic tearthumb. See the Edible section above for the full list.
What medicinal plants grow in Taiwan?
39 medicinal plants catalogued for Taiwan, including Asiatic tearthumb, Carex nubigena, Chinese Artichoke, Chinese Lespedeza, Common Vetch.
How is "native" vs "introduced" determined?
Status comes from TDWG botanical regions via Trefle. Native = naturally occurring there; introduced = brought in by humans, sometimes invasive. Both can be useful, but native species are typically the best fit for local conditions.
Other asia
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