Velvet berry, Pink snakeweed
Stachytarpheta mutabilis

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 2-3 m tall. The stems are stout and branched. They are densely hairy. The leaves are opposite and thick and leathery. They are oval to oblong. There are teeth along the edge. The flowering shoots are 10-60 cm long. The flowers are compressed and 8-12 mm long. They are red.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in monsoon forests and along creeks and roadsides. It grows up to 900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico (country/location of origin), Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Seychelles, South America, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Jarong lelaki, Perdu ular jambon

Synonyms

Cymburus mutabilis (Jacq.) Salisb.; Stachytarpheta mutabilis var. maxonii Moldenke; Stachytarpheta mutabilis var. violacea Moldenke; Stachytarpheta purpurea Greenm.; Stachytarpheta zuccagni Roem. & Schult.; Valerianoides mutabilis (Jacq.) Kuntze; Verbena mutabilis Jacq.; Zappania mutabilis (Jacq.) Lam.;