Shui xiang ru, Pak luean
Elsholtzia kachinensis

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A slender herb. It grows 10-40 cm tall. The stems lie along the ground. They form roots near the base. The leaf stalks are 3-15 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and up to 3 cm long by 2 cm wide. There are teeth around the edge. The flowers are in oval spikes. These are 2.5 cm long by 2 cm wide. The fruit are small brown nutlets. They are oblong and hairy.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to subtropical plant. It grows in China near riverbanks and wet areas. It grows in wetlands. It grows between 1,200-2,800 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten. They are cooked with meat.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown from stem cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ma de dan, Mi ge li guo, Pa leng

Synonyms

Elsholtzia kachinensis var. petiolata Sun ex C. H. Hu;