Velvet plant, Gynura, Okinawan spinach, Red groundsel
Gynura bicolor

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year It can be scrambling or erect. It grows 35 cm long. The leaves often have no leaf stalks. The leaf blades are broadly oval and 8-15 cm long. They are usually green on top and purple underneath. They are fleshy. They can have teeth or lobes. The flowers are in loose clusters or 4-13 flower heads. They have purple tips.

There are about 100 Gynura species. They are mostly in the tropics. Gynura bicolor (Burm.f.) Merr. is a synonym of Gynura pseudochina.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs a sunny location. In southern China it grows in rocky or wet places by rivers between 600-1,500 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Tuvalu, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Young leaves are eaten as a vegetable or cooked in soups. The young leaves are flavoured with sauces and vinegar. The roots are cooked with sliced pork.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, roots, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It is easily grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ebolo, Ginura, Redflower ragleaf, Suizenji-na, Tlang-nal, Zi-bei-tian-kui

Synonyms

Cynurus bicolor Roxb.; Gynura angulosa hance; Senecio bicolor Sch.Bip.; Senecio moluccanus Roxb.;