Bristly onosma
Onosma hispida

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 70 cm tall. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a prominent tap root. There are many stems. It is hairy. The leaves at the base are 9-35 cm long by 1 cm wide. The leaves on the middle of the stem are larger and those at the top are smaller. The flowers are in groups at the top. They are white or yellow.

There are about 150 Onosma species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Pakistan it grows between 1,000-3,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Himalayas, India, Pakistan

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The red dye from the roots may be poisonous in large quantities.

Edible parts

Root, flower - nectar

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ratanjot

Synonyms

Onosma hispia var. kashmiricum (I. M. Johnston) I. M. Johnston; Onosma kashmiricum I. M. Johnston; Onosma echioides C.B.Clarke; ?