Broomrape
Aeginetia indica

Family: Orobanchaceae

What it is like

A herb which grows attached to other plants such as grasses. The roots are juicy. They fix on the roots of bambus, grasses and ginger family plants. It is un-branched. The stem is 3-6 cm long. It is leafless. The flowers occur singly at the end of a stalk 15-35 cm long. They are pale violet or red striped. They are tubular and emerge from a large, nodding, sleeve like calyx. The fruit is a capsule with many white seeds inside.

There are about 10 Aeginetia species. The juice of the root is used for medicine in Nepal. It damages sugarcane in the Philippines.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It occurs on wet ground in hill forests. It grows in limestone country.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The juice from the flower is used to colour sticky rice dishes. The plant is eaten with sugar and nutmeg.

It is sold in markets.

Edible parts

Flowers - colouring, plant

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dok din daeng, Yah-khao-gum, Ye gu

Synonyms

Orobanche aeginetia L.;