R.L. Alexander

This heirloom collard from the Morgan and David collection has straight, upright leaves on a relatively long stem. It is fairly uniform with most plants having dark green leaves, though there is some color variation from green to blue-green. The petioles are light green and there is no pigmentation. It has a strong flavor with some bitterness. Plant height is 22-32in and diameter is 27-31in. Largest leaf length is 19-23in and largest leaf width is 10-12in. From James Alexander of Laurel, Mississippi. This collard variety was grown and saved by James’ father, R. L. Alexander (b. 1908, d. 1985), who grew many vegetables on his farm just outside Laurel. Before he died, R.L. requested of James that the variety be maintained somehow. Because James is not a gardener, he has honored his dad’s wishes by sharing seeds from R.L.’s 1983 seed harvest with various friends, who grow them in the Jones County area and enjoy them. In 2006, James gave seeds to Dr. Edward Davis, a professor of geography at Emory & Henry College, who was collecting heirloom collard strains for preservation on behalf of the USDA. Seed Savers Exchange requested this variety in 2016 from the USDA collection (G 33030). SSE Accession # 133025