Red silk-thread
Peristrophe roxburghiana
Family: Acanthaceae
What it is like
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 20-40 cm high. It is softly hairy. The stems have 4-6 stripes along them. The leaves are opposite and oval. They are 4-9 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They taper to the end and are wedged shaped at the base. The flowers are rose-purple. The fruit is a capsule. It is 1 cm long.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It is native to southern China. It grows in damp shady valleys.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The leafy shoots, with or without flowers, are used for making soup or tea. The leaves are used to dye sticky cakes. Caution: The leaves should not be used as a medicine by pregnant women.
It is commonly grown as a food dye.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Cam, La cam, Taging-hamang