Boerhavia chinensis

Family: Nyctaginaceae

What it is like

A creeping herb. The leaves are heart shaped to oval. The fruit are covered with glands.

There are about 40 Boerhavia species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics. It is used in medicine. There still seems to be confusion over Boerhavia chinensis (L.) Asch. & Schweinf. and Boerhavia chinensis (L.) Rottb. as a synonym of Commicarpus chinensis.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Pakistan

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten in times of food shortage. Young stalks and leaves are eaten as vegetables.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chag kong romeang, Chungkueng prehs, Thazhuthama

Synonyms

Boerhavia bastica Buch.-Ham. ex Wall.; Boerhavia repanda Willd.; Commicarpus chinensis (L.) Heimerl; Valeriana chinensis L.;