Dense-flowered aromatic madder
Elsholtzia densa

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 20-60 cm high. It is hairy. The leaves are narrowly sword shaped and 2-10 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They taper to the tip and are wedge shaped at the base. There are coarse teeth. The flowers are pale purple. They are in dense groups 1-7 cm long at the ends of branches. The fruit are 2 nutlets.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in cold desert. It is widespread in north-eastern and western China. It grows in cold arid places. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 3,000-4,000 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Central Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tibet

How it is used for food

The leafy shoots are used as a spice for cooking lamb. They are also used in pickles. They are dried and used to flavour dishes in winter. The seeds are ground with pepper. The leaves are eaten raw in chutney and salads.

Edible parts

Leaves - spice, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bye-rug nag-po, Mahadeni, Philongtso, Sanik, Tstase

Synonyms

Dysophylla ianthina Maxim. ex Kanitz; Elsholtzia calycocarpa Diels; and others