Chinese foldwing
Dicliptera chinensis

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30-50 cm high. It has soft hairs. The leaves are narrowly oval and 3-5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They taper to a short tip. The flowers are pink-purple and small. They do not have stalks. They are in groups in the axils of leaves.

There are about 150 Dicliptera species. They grow in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to high altitudes. It is best in humid and shaded locations. In southern China it grows near streams below 1,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, China, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Pacific, SE Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves and tips are used uncooked or steamed to flavour food. They are used in soups and potherbs. They are also used to colour rice.

It is a cultivated food plant. It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It grows easily from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Cay gan heo, Cuu can, Djookoot djampang, Ladien, Nan lan, Pinten, Plinten, Ya ke suo, Zhu gan cai

Synonyms

Diapedium chinense (Juss.) K. D. Koenig; Dicliptera roxburghiana Nees; Justicia chinensis L.;