Rock Sorrel
Cyrtandra pendula
Family: Gesneriaceae
What it is like
A herb. It can be creeping or curve upwards. It can be 15 cm tall. The stem are brown and with scattered stiff hairs. It is angular. The leaves are opposite. One of the pairs is small. They are crowded at the top of the stem. The leaf stalk is 7-27 cm long. The edges have rounded teeth. They have soft hairs. The leaf blade is oval and 13-20 cm long by 7-12 cm wide. The edges of the leaves have teeth which can be rounded or sharp. The leaves are very hairy on the veins underneath the leaf. The flowering cluster is in the axils of leaves. These can be 18 cm tall. The flower stalk is red-brown and hairy. The fruit is a berry. Three varieties have been distinguished based on the length of the flower stalk.
There are between 350-600 Cyrtandra species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in forest vegetation.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The leaves are sour and can be used for flavouring.
Edible parts
Leaves as condiment, spice
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Asam batu, Meroyan panas