Maize witchweed
Striga asiatica

Family: Orobanchaceae

What it is like

A small herb that grows attached to other plants. It grows 10-15 cm high. It has lines of hairs along it. The leaves are small and narrow or like scales. They are 1 cm long by 1-2 mm wide. The flowers are golden, red or white. They occur singly in the axils of leaves.

It has also been put in the family Scrophulariaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on exposed grassy slopes. It can grow as a parasite on corn and sugarcane. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Asia, Bhutan, Botswana, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Madagascar, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Nepal, Philippines, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The whole plant is gathered and used for tea. It is also cooked with pork for soup.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Fulabzade, Kaufiti, Ripia

Synonyms

Buchneria asiatica (L.) Kuntze;