Gynura nepalensis
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It is robust and 30-45 cm tall. It is woody at the base. The leaves are on the upper part of the stem. They are narrowly oval and 3-20 cm long by 1-6 cm wide. There are several heads of flowers that are 1 cm across. They are in loose groups at the top of the plant.
There are about 100 Gynura species. They are mostly in the tropics.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows on rocks and the edges of fields by streams between 1,100-2,100 m above sea level in southern China. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand
How it is used for food
Young twigs and flowers are eaten raw as a vegetable. It is also used for making salt.
Occasionally sold in markets.
Edible parts
Twigs, flowers
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Haliang-hamang, Tera paibi, Tobow