Oreocnide frutescens

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub. It grows to about 3 m high. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are 8-15 cm long by 3.5-5 cm wide. They are oval to sword shaped. They taper to the tip. There are teeth along the edge. They are hairy and pale underneath. The flowers are yellowish.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 500-2200 m altitude. It grows on rocky soil in warm, broad-leaved forests. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The powdered root is mixed with flour of rice or wheat and baked to add softness to the taste of bread. The tender leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Root, leaves, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Chail, Chiple ghans, Gartushiara, Kirma, Obok, Poidhaula, Sianru, Takbrietkung

Synonyms

Urtica frutescens Thunb.; Boehmeria frutescens (Thunb.) Thunb.; Villebrunea frutescens (Thunb.) Blume; Boehmeria frondosa D.Don.; Boehmeria fruticosa Gaud.-Beau; Oreocnide fruticosa (Gaud.-Beau.) Handel-Mazz.; Villebrunea fruticosa (Gaud.-Beau.) Nakai;