Graceful pouzolzbush
Pouzolzia zeylanica

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 40-80 cm tall. The base of the plant can creep along the ground and form roots at the nodes. The leaves have leaf stalks and are thinly hairy. The lower leaves occur opposite one another and the higher leaves are alternate. The leaf blade is oval and 3.5 cm long by 1 cm wide. The side veins end at the edge of the leaf. The male and female flowers are in separate round heads in the axils of leaves. The flowers are greenish. The fruit is dry and oval and ribbed.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in moist and humid places. In Vietnam it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Socotra, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen

How it is used for food

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They have the smell of cucumbers. When roots become tuberous they are eaten raw, boiled or roasted.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves, roots, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Akar kutu babi, Aubi itek, Ban pate, Barbere, Basisingam, Borali bokuwa, Chiple jhar, Chipli, Daun balam, Deresan, Du shu tou, Eddu-mutte dumpa, Eddu, Gubai, Jukut krinching, Jukut letah hayam, Kallurki, Katumpang lemah, Kermah, Kukon-kukon, Nichasag, Orang-aring, Pokok kedudu paya, Reen hui, Regetan, Rubai, Sam-louthi, Ubai itek, Ubai-ubai

Synonyms

Pouzolzia indica (L.) Gaud.; Pouzolzia tuberosa Wight; Parietaria indica L.; Parietaria zeylanica L.; Boehmeria nana Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don;