King of bitters
Andrographis paniculata

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 50 cm tall. It grows each year from seed. The stems are 4 angled and much branched. The leaves are oval and 2-7 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are pale green underneath. The flowers are at the top of the plant. They are tube shaped. They are white and there are purple dots on the lower lip.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Assam, Australia, Cambodia, Caribbean, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sri Lanka (country/location of origin), Thailand, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The shoots are normally mixed with other vegetables.

The leaves are occasionally eaten mixed with other vegetables. It is a cultivated plant. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, stem

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds, cuttings or stems that have developed roots.

Its other names

Local names

Bhuienimb, Bhuin, Chirota, Kaalmedh, Kadukirayata, Kalomegh, Kariyat, Neemba, Sambiloto, Sega-gyi, Se-khar-gyi

Synonyms

Andrographis paniculata var. glandulosa Trimen; Justicia paniculata Burm.f.;