Rough leucas
Leucas aspera

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It grows 20-50 cm high. It re-grows each year from seed. The upper stems are 4-angled. The leaves are produced opposite each other. They have shallow wide teeth around the edge. The leaves are up to 7 cm long. They have short leaf stalks. The lower leaves are lobed and larger than higher leaves. The flowers occur in dense clusters at the tips of the plant. The flower heads are white. The fruit is 4 nutlets which are brown, smooth and about 2 mm long.

There are about 100-150 Leucas species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In southern China it grows in open wet places up to 100 m altitude above sea level. It grows amongst wheat and maize crops. It grows in wetlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The leaves and tender shoots are eaten as greens. They are boiled or fried. They are used in curries. The flower buds are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The flowers are eaten raw. The harvested leaves can be stored for 3-4 days.

Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, twigs, flower

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Badi guma, Bhutamari, Chanrong aan, Chota halkusa, Dankolosh, Dondokalas, Doron, Drone, Dulphi, Dupra shak, Durun, Feng chao cao, Goma ara, Gopha, Guma, Kanshika, Kansingsa, Kansisa, Kasta, Kubi, Mayanglambum, Neachetse, Phaih lo, Pin-gu-hteik-peik, Shethdrone, Tamba, Thombay keeray, Thumba, Thumbai, Thumbe gida, Thummike mokka, Thurburigaji, Tumba, Tummachettu, Tummi kura, Tummi, Tummikura, Yah-hua-toh

Synonyms

Leucas plukenetii (Roth) Spreng.; Phlomis aspera Willd.; Phlomis plukenetii Roth;