Poh-pohon, Sweet nettle
Pilea melastomoides

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is robust and can be erect or curving upwards. It grows 50-200 cm high. The stems are fleshy and often tinged red. The leaves are on unequal length stalks. The leaves are broadly oval or sword shaped and the base is wedge shaped. There are coarse teeth along the edge. The leaves are 5-25 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. They are shiny and dark green above.

There are about 250 Pilea species. They occur in tropical and warm temperate regions.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Indonesia it grows between 500-2,700 m above sea level. It grows in humid places. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are used to flavour food. They are eaten raw or steamed.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves as condiment, spice, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown from cuttings or side branches that have developed roots.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pilea trinervia Wight;