Canscora diffusa

Family: Gentianaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is erect and grows each year from seed. It grows 35-70 cm tall. The stem is slender and 4 angled. The lower leaves have short stalks and the upper leaves do not have stalks. The leaves are 1-3 cm long by 0.5-1.5 cm wide. They are narrowly oval and wedge shaped at the base. There are many pink or white flowers.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andaman Is., Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, China, Congo DR, Congo R, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The whole plant is eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, plant

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Khakhabhaji

Synonyms

Canscora decurrens Dalzell; Gentiana diffusa Vahl; and others