Bergenia stracheyi

Family: Saxifragaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 30 cm high and spreads 40-60 cm wide. It has thick rootstocks. The rootstock has old dark brown sheaths around it. The leaves are oval and in rings. They have teeth along the edge. The leaves can be 20 cm long. The flowers are white or lilac. They can be tinged with pink. They occur in heads and have a smell.

There are 6-8 Bergenia species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows between 2500-4500 m altitude in Uttar Pradesh in India. In Tibet it grows between 3,900-4,500 m above sea level. It grows on higher colder areas on moist rocky slopes in the Himalayas. It is best in a well-composted well-drained soil. It needs a sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Canada, Central Asia, China, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Nepal, North America, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tibet

How it is used for food

The young leaves are used as a vegetable. They are also dried and used for making a tea drink.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown by division of the rootstock.

Its other names

Local names

Pukhenbheda, Silphari

Synonyms

Saxifraga stracheyi Hook.f. et Thoms;