Pink arnebia
Arnebia euchroma

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The roots are stout and 2 cm across. They contain purple die. There are 1 or 2 stems. They are 15-40 cm tall. The leaves are narrow and 7-20 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The bases have sheaths. There are many flowers in a group at the top of the plant.

There are about 20 Arnebia species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on rocky slopes and gravelly marshes in Tibet.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Afghanistan, Central Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tibet, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

How it is used for food

The roots are used as a spice to cook meat. They are also used in preparing pickles and as a food colouring.

The roots are especially eaten by children. They are also fried in oil.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bri mog, Demok, Troma

Synonyms

Arnebia perennis (Schrenk) A. DC.; and others