Sahyadri dew-grass, Greater cat ears
Cyanotis tuberosa

Family: Commelinaceae

What it is like

A succulent herb. It is creeping. It grows 20-90 cm tall. It forms tubers. The stems are hairy on one side. The leaves are 15-25 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. They grow from the roots. The upper stem leaves are shorter. The flowers are bluish-purple. They are enclosed in a pair of oval folded bracts. The fruit is an oval capsule. The seeds are black.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests and on hills. It grows among wet rocks.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a potherb. The rhizome is chewed for its moisture. The tuberous root is cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, rhizome

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Merom chunchi, Naladdo, Netha kina, Yemme gedde

Synonyms

Cyanotis concanensis Hassk.; Cyanotis sahyadrica Blatt.; Cyanotis thomsonii Hassk.; Tradescantia tuberosa Roxb.; and others