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Elatostema platyphyllum

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A succulent herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 40-60 cm high. The stems zig-zag. They are slightly hairy. The leaves are oblique and sword shaped. They are 10-24 cm long by 5-9 cm wide. They have short leaf stalks. The lower lobe on one side is ear shaped. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are in compressed round heads. The flowers are cream. The fruit is dry and 0.5 mm long, with one seed and oval.

There are about 200 Elatostema species.

Where it is found

It grows in Nepal between 1100-2000 m altitude. It grows in Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Japan, Nepal, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim

How it is used for food

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by dividing the root.

Its other names

Local names

Gangleto, Hoj ao, Kanshyelbi, Sano gangleto, Tengnap, Tengup

Synonyms

Elatostema edule Robinson;