Elsholtzia stachyodes

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It has many branches. It grows about 1 m high. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are 1.5-5 cm long by 1-3.5 cm wide. They are broadly oval and taper to the tip. They have coarse teeth. The lower surface has gland dots over it. The flowers are white. They occur in long cylindrical spikes. The fruit is a nutlet. It is oblong.

There are about 40 Elsholtzia species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1300-2500 m altitude. It grows in moist, open places along streams. In China it tends to grow in limestone mountains between 800-2800 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten raw or pickled.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ban silam, Sanse, Sui zhuang xiang ru

Synonyms

Hyptis stachyodes Link; Aphanochilus paniculatus Benth.; Elsholtzia incisa Benth.; Mentha blanda DC.; Perilla leptostachya D.Don; Elsholtzia leptostachya (D.Don)Benth.;