Indigofera pulchella

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A straggling shrub. It grows about 3 m high. The leaves are alternate and have an odd number of leaflets. The leaflets have short stalks. They are oval and can have a sharp tip. They are covered with fine hairs above and grey flattened hairs underneath. The flowers are pink or violet. The occur along stalks in the axils of leaves.

There are about 500-700 Indigofera species. They grow in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows throughout Nepal between 300-1900 m altitude. It grows in open, dry places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The flowers are either pickled or eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Baroli, Chirmati, Dare huter, Girili, Gogge, Hakna, Jirhul phul, Kan-tin, Khilbiri pump, Lilibichi, Manali, Mawk-kham, Narinji, Nirda, Phusre ghans, Rato mirmire, Sagino, Sakena, Sakhino, Sakina, Siralli, Taw-meyaing, Togri, Vuyye

Synonyms

Indigofera arborea Roxb.; Indigofera purpurascens Roxb.;