Nepal osbeckia
Osbeckia nepalensis

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows to about 2 m high. The leaves do not have a leaf stalk. The leaves are 2.8-12 cm long. They are sword shaped but wider at the base. They are hairy on both surfaces. The flowers are purple. They occur in flat topped flower arrangements where the outer flowers open first. The fruit is a capsule. It is oval and 8 mm long by 6 mm wide.

There are about 60 Osbeckia species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal they grow between 500-2300 m altitude. They grow in damp places. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. The leaves are used as a vegetable.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, seeds ?

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

In southern China plants flower in August to October and fruit September to December.

Its other names

Local names

Angeri, Arbale, Baga phatkala, Kaleangeri, Kali chulesi, Kalochulesi, Kouke, Nat-ye-ta-goung, Pudirasa, Pudrasa, Shar-pyar-tee, Seto chulsi, Sli lakum

Synonyms

Osbeckia chulesis D. Don; Osbeckia speciosa D. Don;