Blumea riparia

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A small climbing herb or small shrub up to 2-5 m tall. It climbs on trees and shrubs. The stem is round and 5-8 mm thick. It does not have a channel along it. The twigs are rod like and smooth. The leaves are soft and fleshy. They are oblong and 4-13 cm long by 2.5-6 cm wide. They are oblique in shape. They have very fine teeth along the edge. The base of the leaf does not run into the leaf stalk. The leaf stalk is 3-12 mm long. The flowers occur in hairy, branched, flower stalks at the end of the plant. These are 10-20 cm long. Flowers can also occur as small groups along the twigs in the axils of leaves.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level up to 2000 m altitude. It is often along tracks or near the edge of forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves have been recorded as eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

It grows wild.

Its other names

Local names

Ngo, Tombak-Tombak

Synonyms

Conyza riparia Blume;