Swertia chirayita

Family: Gentianaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows each year from seed or can take 2 years to complete its lifecycle. It grows 0.6-1.5 m tall. The leaves are sword shaped and opposite. They are heart shaped at the base and do not have a leaf stalk. They are 4 cm long. The root is yellowish and 7-8 cm long and tapers. There are many mall flowers in a large leafy panicle. They are green-yellow tinged with purple.

An unresolved name in The Plant LIst. It is used as medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bhutan, Himalayas, India, Nepal

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Medicine, flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chiraito

Synonyms

Gentiana chirayita Roxb. ex Fleming;