Spider-flower
Cleome chelidonii

Family: Cleomaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 20-40 cm tall. It grows each year from seed. The flowers are blue to violet.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seeds are used as a spice in curries. The young leaves are eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds, spice, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mangmang tim

Synonyms

Aubion chelidonii (L.f.) Raf.; Cleome chelidonii var. palae C. S. Reddy & V. S. Raju; Cleome leschenaultii Schult. & Schult.f.; Cleome schraderi Schult. & Schult.f.; Corynandra pulchella Schrad. ex Spreng. Polanisia chelidonii DC.; Polanisia heterophylla Wall.; Polanisia leschenaultii DC.; Polanisia schraderi DC.;