KITCHEN GARDEN SEGMENT  on REAL WORLD GARDENER radio show
Scientific Name: Rungia klossii
Common name: Mushroom plant
Family: Acanthaceae
Origin: New Guinea
 
Rungia klossii is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.6 m x 0.6 m at a medium rate.


Soils: Suitable for: light or sandy, medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 
 
Habitat: Mushroom plant can grow in semi-shade  but not full sun in an Australian summer. It prefers dry or moist soil if grown in the ground otherwise growing in a pot is very successful.
Description:The shiny mid green have a yellowish mid-rib. 
The elliptic leaves are arranged in pairs with adjacent pairs perpendicular to one another (decussate leaf arrangement mush like in a hydrangea).
Flowers: Blue flowers that appear in a cluster in ideal positions.
proteins.
Harvesting: The Mushroom plant can be harvested all year round,  but the best is to harvest during the active growth period to provide a bushy growth.
Uses: In the kitchen it's used in salads, soups and wok dishes, a small cooking even increases the mushroom aroma.
Frosts: Low frosts are tolerated but lead to leaf loss. 
Fun fact: Higher in protein that actual mushrooms.
What is it exactly and why is it called mushroom plant.
Let's star with, how do you love your mushrooms?
In a risotto, sautéed with scrambled eggs, in soups or salads?
Perhaps you don’t like them at all.
Here’s a way to enjoy the taste without the texture and it’s all natural.
The leaves are somewhat stiff and lightly curled at the tip.
Yes, the leaves taste like mushrooms with a crispy texture and nothing more.  
Rungia klossii: Mushroom plant
 

Mushroom plant Photo: M Cannon

So, let’s find out how and why, by listening to the podcast.
I've been talking with Corinne Mossati, founder of the gourmantic garden. /https://thegourmanticgarden.com/
Corinne's favourite use of the plant is finely chopped into salads for that burst of flavour.
Mushroom plant is a perennial that although it grows well in tropical and sub-tropical areas, it needs protection from frost in cooler climates.

The best way to grow it there is in a pot, which by the way, has served me well over the years.

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