Kalimeris indica

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. New shoots emerge from the rootstock as tender rhizomes with scales. The end then develops into an aerial stem. They are purplish and hairy. The leaves are narrowly sword shaped and 3-10 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. The flowers are daisy like with some strap like and some as disks. The ray flowers are purple-violet and the tube flowers are yellow.

Where it is found

It is a temperate and Mediterranean climate plant. It is native to east Asia. It grows along roadsides and river banks. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

The young shoots are a popular potherb. The plant, fresh or dried in used in herbal teas.

It is a cultivated food plant. It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Pi cao

Synonyms

Boltonia cantonensis (Loureiro) Franchet & Savatier; Boltonia indica (L.) Bentham; Aster indicus L.;