Kashmir acanthus
Strobilanthes wallichii

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 40 cm tall. When the stems lie over they can form roots at the nodes. The stems are 4 angled. The leaves are oval to oblong and papery. They are 4-10 cm long and taper towards the base. The flowers are in groups of 1-3 and crowded. They are purple. The fruit is a narrow capsule 1.5-1.8 cm long. There are 4 seeds.

There are about 250 Strobilanthes species. They occur in Asia.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. In Taiwan it grows between 1,200-2,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, Taiwan

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Hardy Persian shield, Jwan, Kandali, Wallich's conehead, Wild petunia

Synonyms

Goldfussia thomsonii Hook.; Ruellia alata Wall.; Strobilanthes alata Nees; and others