Charpate
Scutellaria repens

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A scrambling shrub. It grows about 2 m high. The leaves are stalked. They are 0.8-2.5 cm long. They are oval and taper to the tip. The lower leaves usually have coarse round teeth. The upper leaves do not have teeth. Leaves have fine hairs underneath. The flowers are yellowish tinged with pink. They occur in the axils of leaf bracts. The fruit is a small nutlet. It is blue.

There are about 350 Scutellaria species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal they grow between 600-2100 m altitude. They grow in open places in rock crevices.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fresh roots are chewed casually. The young shoots and leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Root, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Maidah

Synonyms

Scutellaria cana Wall. ex Benth.; Scutellaria wallichiana A. Hamilton;