Fireweed, American burnweed
Erechtites hieracifolius

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 2 m high and spreads 2 m wide. The stem is thick and fleshy. It is slightly hairy. The leaves are alternate and narrowly sword shaped. They taper to the end. There are teeth around the edge. The flowers are white. Unopened flowers are yellow. They are in loose clusters at the top of the plant.

There are 6 Erechtites species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It will grow in most soils. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to frost and drought. In Java it grows up to 2,000 m above sea level. In southern China it grows between 1,000-1,400 m above sea level. In Srgentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Europe, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Lesser Antilles, Malaysia, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, Pacific, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten. It is also eaten raw. The young flower heads are eaten raw or steamed with rice.

Young leaves edible as vegetable, sold in market in Brunei.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bolostrok, Caa peu guay, Capecoba, Capicoba, Ca-ramuru, Caricoba,Caruru, Doyan-doyan, Erechtites, Hagalpohansaw, Jambrong, Lechuga de cabro, Malayan groundsel, Phakkat-nokkut, Pilewort, Salimbego, Sintrong

Synonyms

Erechtites agrestis (Sw.) Standl. & Steyerm.; Erechtites cacaloides (Fisch. ex Spreng.) Less.; Erechtites carduifolius (Cass.) DC.; Erechtites carduifolius var. latifolius Klatt; Erechtites hieracifolia var. cacalioides (Fisch. ex Spreng) Less ex Griseb.; Erechtites hieraciifolius Walp.; Erechtites praealtus Raf.; Erechtites sulcata Gardner; Gynura aspera Ridl.; Gynura malasica (Ridl.) Ridl.; Neoceis carduifolia Cass.; Neoceis hieraciifolia (L.) Cass.; Senecio cacalioides Fisch. ex Spreng.; Senecio carduifolius (Cass.) Desf.; Senecio hieracifolius (L.) Raf.; Sonchus agrestis Sw.; Sonchus brasiliensis Meyen & Walp.; Sonchus occidentalis Spreng.;