Chinese motherwort, Honeyweed
Leonurus sibiricus

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows from seed each year. The stems are erect and 20-80 cm long. The lower leaves on the stem fall off early. The leaf stalk of the leaves in the middle of the stem are about 2 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and 5 cm long by 4 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped. There are 3 lobes like fingers on a hand. They are narrow and oblong. These also have 3 lobes. These lobes are narrow and 1-3 mm wide. There are many flowers in the head. The flowers can be white, red or reddish-purple. The nutlets are brown and oblong. They are 3 sided.

There are about 20 Leonurus species. It is used in medicine. Chemical composition (leaves): Leonurin = 0.5%. Fatty oil. Ash = 5.0%.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In China it grows on stony and sandy grasslands. It grows in northern China to 1500 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Russia, Niue, SE Asia, Siberia, St Helena, Taiwan, Tibet

How it is used for food

The leaves and shoots are eaten as a vegetable. The roots are cooked with pork.

Edible parts

Leaves, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Chivirico, Dendereman, Ginjean, Guma, Jajura, Juma, Padang derman, Roktodrone, Serating, Siberian motherwort, Xi ye yi mu cao

Synonyms

Leonurus manshuricus Yabe; Leonurus sibiricus var. grandiflora Benth.;