Chinese cudweed, Cotton weed
Gnaphalium affine

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 10-15 cm high. The plant takes 2 years to mature. There are small white hairs over the plant. The leaves are white long and narrow. They are 2-6 cm long by 3-10 mm wide. Leaves fall off after the flowers develop. The male and female flowers are in separate clusters. They are yellow. The fruit are oval. Probably now Laphangium affine (D. Don) Tzvelev

There are about 200 Gnaphalium species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate and subtropical places. It grows in open waste areas and along roads. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The young shoots are gathered before flowering and ground and mixed with rice flour then seasoned and used for a pastry. The leaves are also eaten raw or cooked.

Leaves are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, spice, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

A mi sha chu, Buki phool-yellow, Diqmevq, Hahako-Gusa, Jung Mu, Paaput, Qingmincal

Synonyms

Gnaphalium multiceps Wallich ex DC.; ?