Chinese foxglove, Rehmannia
Rehmannia glutinosa

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

A herb. It develops suckers. It grows 20-30 cm high and spreads 30-40 cm wide. The leaves at the base are scalloped. The leaves are 10 cm long. The flowers are trumpet shaped. They are 5 cm long. The flowers are yellow with some purple colouring.

There are 9-10 Rehmannia species. The dried roots are available in Chinese stores in Australia. Also put in the family Orobanchaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In north China it grows on mountain slopes below 1,100 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Himalayas, Korea, Slovenia

How it is used for food

The leaves can be boiled and eaten. They can be powdered and mixed with the juice from the root and cooked and eaten. The root is steamed and sun dried nine times before eating. It is used in Chinese tonic soups often with chicken and pork. It is available dried, wine cured or steam-cured. CAUTION: Presumably the root is toxic without properly processing.

It is sold in Chinese stores in Australia.

Edible parts

Leaves, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Di huang, Jiwang, Lepljiva rehmanija, Lo sok tei, Thuc dia

Synonyms

Rehmannia lutea Maxim.; This name is unresolved. Rehmannia sinensis Fischer & C. A. Meyer; and others