Indian whitehead
Enicostema axillare

Family: Gentianaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 50-100 cm tall. The leaves are narrow and oblong to sword shaped. The flowers do not have stalks and they are white. They are in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a small oval capsule.

It is also used as medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In India it grows from sea level to 450 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Botswana, East Africa, India, Indonesia, Namibia, SE Asia, South Africa, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked in curries with pulses. It is bitter.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Gorumadi, Nanu kariyatun

Synonyms

Enicostema hyssopifolium (Willd.) Verd.; and others