Elsholtzia strobilifera

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows from seed each year. It grows to about 50 cm high. The leaves are 1-3 cm long. They are oval. The flowers are pinkish and in dense cylindrical spikes. The nutlets are yellow.

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

Where it is found

A subtropical to temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 1300 and 4800 m altitude. In China it grows in grasslands and open areas between 2300 and 3700 m altitude in S China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Taiwan, Tibet

How it is used for food

The powdered seeds are used for flavouring. The fresh leaves and dried flowering shoots are used in chutney.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, flowers, spice, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ban bawari, Langtu, Nempi, Phurke jhar, Qiu sui xiang ru, Rangma ser

Synonyms

Cyclostegia strobilifera Benth.; Elsholtzia exigua Handel-Mazzetti; Elsholtzia strobilifera var. exigua (Handel-Mazzetti) C.Y.Wu & S.C.Huang;