Fu Chai, Thukkal
Patrinia villosa
Family: Caprifoliaceae
What it is like
A herb. It can take 2 years to complete its life-cycle or keep growing for a few years. It grows 50-120 cm tall. The stems have 2 lines along them. The leaves at the base are in a ring. They are 4-25 cm long by 2-18 cm wide. There are teeth along the edges or their can be lobes. The leaves on the stem do not have leaf stalks. The flowers are tube shaped and white. The fruit is oval and 3-7 mm long by 3-8 mm wide.
Also put in the family Valerianaceae.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows on the edges of forests and in grassy areas between 100-2,000 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
How it is used for food
The young shoots are eaten in spring.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Tin tong tsze-tin