Pouzolzia hirta

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A small shrub or herb which lies along the ground. It grows to 1.5 m tall. It has many branches. The leaves are opposite and without leaf stalks. The leaves are long and sword shaped and with 3-5 side veins. The flowers are like a ball. The male and female flowers are separate and the flower ball is produced in the axils of leaves. The flowers are pinkish. The fruit is dry. It is enclosed in the outer ring of flower parts. Possibly now Gonostegia hirta

The leaves are considered to improve milk supply by nursing mothers.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is common in wet land. It is often in ditches, creek banks and the edges of ponds. In Nepal it grows between 500-2400 m altitude. It grows in moist, open places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. The stems are also used. The fresh root is chewed.

It is also a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, root

How it is grown

The plants are grown from seeds or root offshoots.

Its other names

Local names

Atenu, Aterno, Chiple, Hosskhoyik, Oike, Oyik, Pathura harjora, Ponnikeerai, Tengayen

Synonyms

Gonostegia hirta (Blume) Miqu.; Memorialis hirta (Blume) Weddell; Memorialis quinquenervis (Bennett) Buch.-Ham ex Weddell; Pouzolzia hirta Buch.-Ham ex Weddell; Pouzolzia quinquenervis Bennett; Urtica hirta Blume;