Pig's head
Carpesium abrotanoides

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 1 m tall. The stems are stout and leafy. It is hairy towards the top. The lower leaves are thin and oblong. They are 20-28 cm long by 9-15 cm wide. The edges have irregular teeth.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It can withstand frost. It can grow on a range of soils. It can grow in light shade. It needs moist soil. In China it grows on grassy slopes and near streams below 2,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Bhutan, Caucasus, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Iran. Japan, Korea, Laos, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The shoots and young leaves are eaten cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dambaepul, Wotiangil

Synonyms

Carpesium thunbergianum Siebold. & Zucc.;