Pterocypsela indica

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It can grow each year from seed or last 2 years. The stems are 60-200 cm tall. They are simple and can branch near the top. The lower leaves on the stem are oval or sword shaped and 13-25 cm long by 2-11 cm wide. They are almost without leaf stalks. The leaves can have some divisions along the edge. The flowering group is 20-40 cm long and at the top. The flower heads are about 2 cm across. They are yellow.

There are about 11 Pterocypsela species.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate and tropical places. It grows on sunny hillsides and along roads. In Taiwan it grows from low to mid altitudes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia, Siberia, Taiwan

How it is used for food

Leaves are boiled and eaten with soy sauce.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Brachyramphus sinicus Miq.; Lactuca amurensis Regel & Maxim.; Lactuca brevirostris Champ.; Lactuca cavaleriei H. Lev.; Lactuca indica var. indica; Lactuca squarrosa Miq.; Lactuca squarrosa (Thunb.) Maxim.; Leontodon acutissimus; Prenanthes longifolia Jungh.; Sonchus engleri Muschl.;